This was one of the goals presented by its chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, at the unveiling of the BN Youth manifesto tonight.
“I understand that many young people want to build a family but are worried about the various costs involved.
“This includes the amount needed to support their first child, early education, childcare and further education costs when the child grows up.
“I’ve personally fought for this and got approval, and I can tell you tonight that we’ll help young couples who want to start a family.
“We’ll refine the mechanism later, either through direct assistance or other facilities, but we guarantee help for young people who want to get married as well as lighten the burden of young couples,” he said at the launch event.
Khairy, who is also youth and sports minister, said he had also convinced Prime Minister Najib Razak to extend the ADAM50 aid for every newborn to parents who already have children, with additional aid in cash or in the form of unit trust funds.
ADAM50 is a new programme introduced by the government, in collaboration with Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), to all Malaysian babies born from Jan 1, 2018 to Dec 31, 2022.
“Parents who want to save up for their children’s education will continue to be given assistance.
“New parents will also be provided parenting courses. These will be conducted nationwide to help them.
“Starting a family should not be something that scares you. It should be something that makes you happy. So, let us take care of you while you take care of your family,” Khairy said.
Meanwhile, some teenagers who attended the event today told FMT that they were excited with what was offered in the manifesto.
“The promises they’ve made to secure us a job is something we are happy to hear about.
“Finishing studies will take us a few more years. But now that they’ve said they will ensure we get jobs, I don’t have to worry so much,” one of the 15-year-old girls from the Sri Sepang Youth Club told FMT.
BN’s manifesto for the youth includes guaranteeing more jobs and training as well as an increase in wages.
The eight-point plan proposes incentives for young couples who want to get married and to increase the number of affordable homes.
BN also aims to produce more young entrepreneurs in rural areas.