Promise of 40,000 jobs reflects Terengganu BN's concern for young voters
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 1 (Bernama) -- The pledge by Terengganu Barisan Nasional (BN) to create 40,000 employment opportunities in its manifesto for the 14th general election (GE14) proves its concern for the young voters.
Terengganu Youth Council chairman Amirullah Othman said the pledges by the Terengganu BN were not empty promises, but made after taking into account its capability, if continued to be given the mandate to administer the state.
"It is also on its track record, with various transformation carried out by the state government under the leadership of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman to help the young people to obtain jobs.
"The most is the Terengganu Graduates Transformation Programme (TGTP), involving the placement of 600 graduates at 23 government-linked companies since last year," he told Bernama.
TGTP is an idea by the menteri besar himself to help unemployed graduates to enhance their capability with the acquisition of knowledge, skills and experience.
Meanwhile, president of an association comprising young entrepreneurs known as Persatuan Tunas Usahawan Terengganu, Amir Hakimin Che Razali said young voters should support the BN to ensure more jobs in the state.
"Many employment and business opportunities have been provided by government departments and agencies, both at the state and federal levels, such as the Terengganu Entrepreneurial Graduates Programme by the Entrepreneur Development Foundation (YPU), as well as the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme by SME Corp Terengganu which have produced nearly 600 entrepreneurs so far," he said.
He believed that more jobs would be available in Terengganu with the implementation of various projects, such as the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), Terengganu Silk Valley (TSV), Terengganu Technological Hub (TTH), third phase of the East Coast Expressway and the setting up of a digital hub to face the challenges posed by the Industrial revolution 4.0.
They are expected to create 20,000 employment opportunities in Terengganu, he said.
Dungun UMNO Youth committee member Mohamad Armi Hitam said the BN government had always ensure human capital development of the young people was in tandem with current market needs.
He said the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) and the Young Agropreneur programme were the best platforms for the young people to acquire knowledge and skills before entering the employment market.
"The government provides the opportunities, for entrepreneurs there are agencies which provide financing for business capital or purchase of equipment or machine. The only thing remaining is determination to change for a better future," he said.
A recipient of the Terengganu Tokoh Belia Perdana award, Mohd Fauzi Mat Adam said the young people in Terengganu were fortunate with the state rich in various resources, hence making jobs available in various industries, such as natural gas, petroleum, metal and rubber.
"For youths in Kemaman, most of them are involve in upstream and downstream sector of the gas industry, and also transportation, as there is a big port in the district," he said, adding that a steel and iron factory would open soon in Kijal which is expected to provide 5,000 employment opportunities.
-- BERNAMA
