KUCHING, Sept 15: The Dayak Transformation Association (Trada) is urging the government to consider including the establishment of a continuous learning fund, a micro-financing platform and anti-black market policies in Budget 2021.
Trada founder and president Joseph Janting emphasised that these key recommendations were not only aimed at catalysing opportunities for Sabah and Sarawak youth to succeed, but it was also aimed at removing deep-rooted problems that have harmed the people and economy in East Malaysia.
On the need for establishing a continuous learning fund, Joseph highlighted that it was to up-skill and re-skill Sabah and Sarawak youth in order to meet current job requirements in emerging high growth and high income industries in East Malaysia such as oil and gas as well as modern agriculture.
“A micro-financing platform should be specially tailored to Sabah and Sarawak youth entrepreneurs. This is to spur ideation and execution of clever business concepts that embraces technology, local insights and community-centric solutions.
“The anti-black market policy is essential to address prices and duties as well as enhancing enforcement efforts to curtail the black market that is stifling socio-economic progress,” he said.
The National Statistics Department, he shared, had indicated that there were 14.6 million Malaysians aged between 15 and 39, making up 45.4 per cent of the total population.
“Interestingly, a significant segment of the population in both Sabah and Sarawak are under the age of 40.
“However, youths in Sabah and Sarawak face unique challenges including access to modern technology and connectivity, quality education and high income job opportunities,” he pointed out in a press release today.
Many, he continued, have to leave their homes in search of better jobs in Peninsular Malaysia, or across the region, breaking up families and communities.
“I am one of those who have left my home state of Sarawak to come to Kuala Lumpur in search of a better life for myself and my family,” he added.
As such, Joseph emphasised that Trada was heartened and encouraged by the commitment made by the Minister of Finance Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz to focus on youth in the upcoming Budget 2021.
He pointed out that the large and growing youth population in Sabah and Sarawak can contribute significantly towards nation building if the right policies and initiatives were put in place in the upcoming Budget 2021.
“Trada believes that youths in Sabah and Sarawak have the potential to contribute more significantly to the national economy, and they do not have to leave their homes to achieve this,” he added.— DayakDaily
