KUALA LUMPUR – Early intervention via lifelong learning, improved early education and greater digital accessibility will help close the income gap, as well as provide equal opportunities in the long run, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Towards this end, said the prime minister, Malaysia has allocated nearly RM3 billion to upskill and reskill talent since last year.
He said the country’s aim to provide 150,000 students from low-income families with laptops and free, limited data packages through private sector sponsorship, coupled with the implementation of the fibre initiative over the next five years under the RM21 billion National Digital Network plan, will provide greater last-mile connectivity in rural schools.
“Although more needs to be done, these collective efforts to promote social mobility will help create stronger economic growth,” he said in his opening remarks at the virtual Youth Economic Forum 2021, themed “A Brave New World”, today.
He said global economic recovery will be sustainable only when there is equity.
“To tackle inequality on a lasting basis, attention should be given to address unequal opportunities, not just unequal outcomes.”
In this regard, he said, the government introduced the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV2030) as a continuation of Vision 2020.
“The main goal of SPV2030 is for Malaysians to achieve a decent standard of living by 2030, while its three main objectives are: ensuring development for all, addressing the wealth and income gap, and achieving the aspirations of a united, prosperous and dignified nation.”
On the Covid-19 pandemic, he said the health crisis presents opportunities when traditional approaches and paradigms are questioned and challenged.
“If anything, the pandemic has shown us that beyond the health sphere, no man is an island; economically, none of us is safe until all of us are safe.
“Hence, we must rebuild the social mobility ladder, allowing anyone who is hardworking and entrepreneurial to climb up.”
He said youth must play their role in making “a brave new world” a reality after the pandemic is dealt with, adding that imagination, risk-taking and hard work can make anything possible.
He pledged that his administration will, for as long as it takes, stand with those whose lives have been turned upside down.
“However, we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together. We have different roles, but share the same dream.
“The youth will not inherit the same world as I did, or even my forefathers did. It will be a more arduous one, with lurking pandemics in the future and the ticking time bomb of climate change.”
Restoring opportunities for prosperity, inclusivity and sustainability is both a privilege and burden to the younger generation, said Muhyiddin.
“This means a redefinition of our economic success, not simply by the number of billionaires we produce, but how we expand wealth, growth and opportunity for all Malaysians.
“I hope this forum will provide the way forward. It starts with keeping the intent that every generation of Malaysians should make with the next – that we will pass the baton and give the young a Malaysia that is much better than the one we received.” – Bernama, March 5, 2021
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