SHAH ALAM: Malaysian millenials have shown a high interest in shaping the nation's future through the aspirations of National Transformation 2050 (TN50).
TN50 youth ambassador Shahril Hamdan said majority of Generation Y (Gen Y) youths met during TN50 engagement tours nationwide had voiced constructive ideas, and spoke of their concern of the country's direction in the next 30 years.
"There is a perception that the Gen Y are selfish and only think of themselves. However, the true picture that we see during our engagement sessions is different.
"The Gen Y might have their egos and they do not want to be told what to do by their elders. But, behind all these, they have really high spirits and concern over what is happening to society and our country's future.
"Everytime we conduct dialogues, hundreds of youths will be there. But what is more important is the quality of their aspirations. They no longer talk about short-term issues, but have set their sights far ahead.
“They even want to know what the government is planning for 30 years from now, from the welfare of their children, to the quality of education and career opportunities available," he told reporters when met after a TN50 dialogue session at Universiti Teknologi Mara, here on Tuesday.
During the event, held in conjunction with UiTM Mass Communication Carnival, Shahril spoke to about 200 students about various issues ranging from improving the people's mindset to becoming first-class citizens, Budget 2018 and press freedom, among others.
Shahril said while the Gen Y ego and mindset was a challenge for the campaign, it is also a reality which the Barisan Nasional-led administration had realised and took into account when formulating TN50.
"Gen Y does not like the older generation to tell them what to do, but if we brand TN50 well, then the Gen Y themselves are attracted and interested to participate.
"If we cast them aside, do not listen to them and tell them what they should or should not do, that is not the recipe for Gen Y.
"This is why TN50 is an upward vision, where the government takes into account what the rakyat wants, which perfectly fits the Gen Y."
During the dialogue, Shahril also told the audience that TN50 allows the younger generation to be creative and imaginative, and they should think from outside the box on how they want to see the country shaped in the future.