Kedah youths want well-paying jobs, higher education

The young people in Kedah are frustrated that there are not many jobs that pay well in places like Alor Setar or Kubang Pasu.

KUBANG PASU: Well-paying jobs and opportunities for higher education are among the key concerns of Kedah youths heading to the ballot box in Saturday’s general election.

Danish Zulkifli.

Student Danish Zulkifli said electricians in the area typically earned about RM1,400 a month and this was not enough to cope with the rising cost of living.

“There are not many job opportunities here in Kubang Pasu,” said Danish, who is studying to be an electrician. “So I would have to go to bigger towns like Kulim and Sungai Petani to get a job.”

He hopes the next government will push for better wages and draw high-value investments to places like Kubang Pasu.

Danish said his vote would go to Perikatan Nasional as the coalition was championing higher wages.

Asyran Mansor, 18, said he planned to work in Penang where he hoped to get higher salary than in his hometown of Alor Setar.

Asyran Mansor.

Aysran will be voting for the first time this Saturday and he has already decided on his choice but declined to reveal more.

“The candidate (of my choice) said he would bring in more job opportunities so that Kedah youths can get jobs here,” he added.

For Aidil Aimen Mohd Farix, costly higher education fees are his main concern.

Aidil Aimen Mohd Farix.

The 18-year-old said this was why many SPM holders did not pursue higher education.

He also said the rising cost of living was an important matter to the B40 (low income) families like his.

Aidil wants his next MP to push for more subsidies for producers of essential items and to meet the education expenses of B40 families.

M Thibagar.

Meanwhile, M Thibagar, 21, said he wants an MP who can help deserving students gain access to higher education.

Despite earning a 3.62 CGPA in Sijil Kenderaan Ringan (SKR), he has been rejected by six different colleges.

He does not have a steady job and is a handyman for wiring, servicing air conditioners and repairing motorcycles and cars.

“My lecturer has been helping me to apply (to polytechnic colleges). I hope that elected representatives can do the same. It would be good,” he said. - FMT