Ismail said he had discussed the matter with the youth and sports minister, adding that it was important to get the views of the younger generation, who represent the nation’s future.

“To get the views of the youths, I hereby announce that a senator will be appointed from among them, ” he said at a National Youth Day celebration.

The prime minister also announced an additional allocation of RM1 million for youth programmes.

He said previously, the youth and sports ministry had given an allocation of RM1 million to the Malaysian Youth Council.

Ismail said the unemployment rate among those aged between 15 and 40 dropped to 5.3% in the first quarter of the year compared with 5.9% during the same period in 2021.

This means that 585,000 youths were reported to be unemployed this year compared with 627,000 during the same period last year, he said.

Ismail said the unemployment rate was expected to continue to decline, with more awareness of the many initiatives and programmes carried out for youths.