KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Barisan Nasional (BN) has pledged to help Malaysian youths to start a family should it win the upcoming polls, with Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin saying it would be the first time such a promise was offered.
Acknowledging building a family can be costly, Khairy said the Amanah Dana Anak Malaysia 2050 (ADAM50) programme for every child born, which was announced in Budget 2018, would also be increased.
“This may be popular, but I would like to help the youth to build a family. We want to ensure you have a good start in your married life.
“But this offer is only for the first time,” said Khairy, who said the mechanism will be revealed later.
Khairy said BN chairman and caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had agreed that the ADAM50 initiative will also include cash handouts for parents, and not just unit trust.
“The formula is, if you want to receive more, then have more children,” Khairy said.
“I understand the grouses of the youth. Starting a family should not be something that makes you scared, it should be something that makes you happy. So let us take care of you while you take care of your family,” he said, addressing thousands of youths at the Putra World Trade Center.
At a press conference following the launch, Khairy said the pledge was made based on a survey on personal matters amongst the youth and found marriage and starting a family to be one of youths’ concerns.
“We cannot promise to pay in full, but we can possibly help ease the burden to those who want to start a family.
“We will formulate a mechanism on this as we understand weddings and starting a family take up a large portion of their spending,” he said.
The BN Youth manifesto consists of eight pledges, including: job security and opportunities; increase income and training; strengthening rural economic activities and; second chances for those with social issues, such as formal juvenile delinquent and single-teen mothers.
