Set up one-stop portal on Penjana economic initiatives for the youth - NGO

The government should create an interactive one-stop portal for the youth so that they can access all relevant initiatives under the Plan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (Penjana) economic recovery plan that was unveiled yesterday, said the Malaysia Youth Council (MYC).

Its president, Jufitri Joha (photo, above) said the portal should be more interactive and informal and provide easy access to information and the application process to all youth-related initiatives under the Penjana plan compared with official government websites.

"The government can upload whatever initiatives meant for the youth in this portal in a less formal way and interactive way so they can access and apply.

"The youth normally do not prefer to visit the official government websites," he said when contacted by Malaysiakini, adding that the Youth and Sports Ministry should manage the portal.

As part of the RM35 billion Penjana plan, the government has allocated RM2 billion to upskill 200,000 youth and unemployed workers. Additionally, companies that take on school leavers and graduates as interns will be subsidised RM600 a month per person, up from RM500 currently.

Jufitri said the Penjana plan is expected to address the anxieties and worries of fresh graduates, youth at risk of losing their jobs and young entrepreneurs.

He also urged the government to rope in MYC into the special committee on national employment which is jointly chaired by the finance minister and the human resources minister.

"We hope that we could be part of this committee so that we can provide input and even monitor the implementation of the initiatives.

"The government can increase employment for local people through localisation of jobs," he said.

Jufitri said jobs with monthly salaries of between RM3,000 and RM10,000 should be given to the locals instead of migrant workers and expatriates.

He added with the emphasis on the digitalisation of government services and e-commerce, the government should improve Internet access and infrastructure in rural areas. - Mkini