KUALA LUMPUR: Affordable housing, transportation and job opportunities remain of the greatest concern to youths, judging from the topics most discussed during the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) dialogues.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said, other than equal education for all, these were the topics raised in every one of the dialogue sessions.
He said, so far, he had received 81,000 aspirations which will be compiled at the end of December into a report in January.
“If the report and its recommendations are approved, then we’ll start to roll out in stages beginning in September next year,” he said.
Khairy was speaking at a TN50 dialogue session organised by Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s Young Talents today. Also present at the dialogue session was Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.
“From the data we have gathered so far, we know that all Malaysians want a globally competitive Malaysia in terms of research and development. Other than that, they want a good and standardised education system, equality, fair and just treatment, and most commonly, a developed yet compassionate Malaysia in 2050,” he said.
Khairy, who took about 30 aspirations from the crowd, said technological change was inevitable and the country needed to find ways to educate and prepare the children holistically to face these challenges.
“The changes taking place are not only in Malaysia but around the world. TN50 is a preparation for our future generations, so that we are not left out in terms of facing the world’s future demands.”
Azman said Khazanah Nasional, through Yayasan Khazanah and Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), was currently funding 30 NGOs on various projects to equip youths for 2050.
“We have been with the government on many of their projects including the new economy policy, privatisation of GLCs and now the TN50,” he said, adding that they hope to positively contribute to TN50.
Azman said KRI and the TN50 secretariat, together with another NGO, are expected to meet over a few of the proposals soon.
The TN50 discourse series, which is the brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is aimed at gathering the views and hopes of the people, particularly the youth, to generate a new, 30-year transformation plan for the country that truly reflects the people’s vision.
About 500 youths from seven government linked companies such as Telekom Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, UEM, Axiata took part in the session today.