KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Immediate assistance for young people struggling with the cost of living must be accompanied by opportunities to improve their lives, including decent jobs, adequate income, and accessible basic services.
Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said ahead of the 2027 Budget presentation this Friday, this matter requires attention to provide young people with the opportunity to build a more secure future.
“During the Youth Economic Forum 2026 on Oct 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that young people have a role to play in co-leading the country today.
“This emphasis must be translated into the budget through youth involvement in policy formulation and the evaluation of policy implementation. Their experiences should influence decisions that affect their lives,” he said in a statement today.
He noted that the inability of employed individuals to build savings is closely linked to issues of income, cost of living, available facilities, and policies that create opportunities for them to progress.
Ahmad Fahmi said ABIM supports the strengthening of periodic government assistance for those in need, including through the *Sumbangan Asas Rahmah* (SARA), SARA for All, and *Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah* (STR) initiatives.
In this regard, he said, the priority for the 2027 Budget is to ensure that assistance amounts are adequate, disbursement schedules are clear, and those in need are not left out.
“This includes covering recurring monthly expenses such as food, transportation, and utility bills; predictable assistance helps recipients plan their spending and reduces the need to incur debt."
“Any additional allocation should prioritise low-income groups including young families and those who have lost their jobs or face unstable incomes. The frequency of payments needs to be evaluated alongside the aid amount and eligibility criteria, taking into account current income, family dependents, and the cost of basic necessities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Fahmi said the strengthening of aid measures must go hand-in-hand with efforts to create job opportunities and boost incomes.
Citing the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), he noted that the unemployment rate for youths aged 15 to 24 stood at 10.2 per cent in July 2026, affecting 292,500 individuals compared to the overall unemployment rate of 3.0 per cent.
“This gap highlights the significant challenges young people face in entering the job market. Therefore, the budget must pay special attention to the transition from education to employment,” he said.
He added that employers receiving incentives for training and productivity enhancement should be required to report the impact on employees' wages and career progression, ensuring that public funds allocated to companies also benefit the workforce.
He also urged the government to expand the availability of safe and affordable housing, including targeted deposit assistance for youths who need to relocate for work.
Meanwhile, regarding young couples, Ahmad Fahmi said the high cost of childcare must be addressed through targeted fee subsidies and the expansion of quality, affordable, and registered childcare centers located near workplaces or residential areas.
“Furthermore, educational assistance for low-income families should cover transportation, devices, and learning support, while university students facing financial constraints should be supported through targeted cost-of-living aid and campus emergency funds,” he said.
Ahmad Fahmi also touched upon, among other things, continuous social protection for gig workers, artificial intelligence (AI) training, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which open up employment and career advancement opportunities as well as serious attention to mental health and psychosocial support to help young people improve their lives.
-- BERNAMA