RM40 Mln For Rakan Muda To Strengthen Youth Personality Development - MBM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The allocation of RM40 million for the Rakan Muda Programme in the 2026 Budget, which is an increase of RM15 million compared to the previous year, is very significant in strengthening the development of the character and identity of youth through a community-based approach.

Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) president, Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid, said his party hoped that part of the allocation could be channelled directly to youth organisations nationwide as a vehicle for shaping the identity, integrity and fighting spirit of young people, especially in rural areas and underprivileged communities.

He also welcomed the allocation of RM250 million for the implementation of the 2026 National Service Training Programme (PLKN) as an effort to build identity, national spirit and a culture of volunteerism among young people.

He said MBM also welcomed the K-Youth Programme initiative by Khazanah Nasional worth RM200 million which targets on-the-job training for 11,000 youth without degrees in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, machinery, digital and technology.

In addition, MBM also appreciated the significant increase in allocations in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector which is the main thrust of the country's youth development.

He said the increase showed the government's continued commitment to producing highly skilled youth in line with the needs of the new job market, thus supporting the national economic transformation agenda.

Regarding the setting of his age limit from 15 years to 30 years starting in 2026, Mohd Izzat hoped that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) could ensure that all existing youth development initiatives were not affected and continued to be inclusive of the emerging youth group.

In this regard, MBM appealed for the RM150 million financing initiative under Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) and RM12 million under the SME Corp Bumiputera Youth Entrepreneurs' Budding Programme to be extended to the 31 to 40-year-old group who are still active and productive in the country's social and economic activities.

"MBM remains committed to continuing to dialogue and collaborate with the government in making efforts to drive the national economy and strengthen an inclusive, progressive and competitive youth development ecosystem," he said.

-- BERNAMA