by Farid Maulud, DAPSY Bukit Bendera Chief

The tabling of Budget 2021 in Parliament is an crucial session in order for Malaysians to comprehend the government’s initiatives in handling the rakyat’s struggles this Covid-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the budget’s injection in terms of financial aid to the rakyat is something that Malaysians have been longing for.

One important aspect we need to focus upon is what aid will there be for the youth in Budget 2021? Youths are one of the groups heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of us have lost our jobs. Many of us have lost our source of income yet still have to bear monthly expenses. Many have started their own businesses. However, with the drastic dwindling of buying power, what will happen to these youths?

Hence, we urge the government to hear the cries of the youths in the country. We ask for the government to extend moratorium for another 6 months. This extension is imperative in helping our youth to stabilise their finances and survive during the scathing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Monthly loan payments for automobiles, houses and others should be differed temporarily in order to help them deal with monthly expenses.

Employment opportunities is another aspect that needs to be exerted by the government in this Budget 2021 session. The government needs to find alternatives for industries to create job opportunities for the youth. They could also create employment avenues via a contract-basis within government agencies that could be filled by graduates.

As Malaysians, we also urge the government to reduce the expenditure for Ministers and Deputy Ministers. We ask for ministers’ salaries to be cut and additional allowances to be halted temporarily until we find our way out of this economic crisis.