Melaka unemployment rate down to 1.8% in Q4 2024
MELAKA: The unemployment rate in Melaka for the fourth quarter (Q4) of last year dropped to 1.8 per cent, down from 2.6 per cent in 2023, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said.
He said the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of the state government's policies in creating job opportunities, especially for the youth in Melaka.
'Today, Melaka is home to more than 200,000 youths. They are not just a number, they represent the future energy of the state and the country, and are among the most valuable assets that will shape Melaka's future,' he said.
'Therefore, various initiatives have been and continue to be implemented, focusing on job marketability, entrepreneurship, education, personal development, as well as social and religious values.
He said this after officiating the state-level Youth Day 2025 celebration last night, which was also attended by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim and the state Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Datuk V.P. Shanmugam.
Ab Rauf said the state government is focused on empowering skilled youths by strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet industry needs and position Melaka as the national TVET centre, ensuring its youth remain competitive and preferred by employers.
He said his administration is committed to involving youth not just in programmes but from planning to policy implementation.
Confident in the strong government-youth relationship, he believes it will nurture visionary and competitive young leaders, and the state government will continue providing infrastructure, opportunities, and guidance to ensure sustainable youth development.
He said the state government established a Youth State Assembly with 33 representatives from each state constituency to provide leadership training and involve youth in grassroots policy-making.
Additionally, the state government introduced the Rumah Belia Melaka (RBM) scheme, Malaysia's first youth housing programme, offering 1,754 units to help young people own their first home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Support structures needed to ensure mandatory schooling works, say advocates
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has lauded the Education Ministry's move to legislate mandatory schooling until a child reaches 17 years of age. NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon said the initiative should be accompanied by a special programme for students who do not perform well academically. "They do not continue their education because they cannot keep up academically. "The Education Ministry should provide special learning centres focused on hands-on skills. "This would ensure that those falling behind in literacy and numeracy continue to see school as offering long-term benefits. "Vocational learning centres should be available for students as early as Form 1 in every state to support these learners," he said, speaking from his personal experience as a teacher. He said that despite financial hardships, children should not abandon their education to work, as education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Meanwhile, Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said schools should implement early intervention systems to identify at-risk students based on attendance, behaviour, and academic performance. There should be strong counselling and mentoring programmes in place, with close collaboration between families and community leaders, she added. The government should also introduce relevant, practical curriculum options such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for students less inclined toward academic tracks, along with support for mental health, learning disabilities, and socioeconomic challenges. Earlier, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry was targeting the implementation of single-session schooling across more than 10,000 schools nationwide by 2030 to facilitate the expansion of preschool classes. Fadhlina said one of the ministry's special projects involves screening children with special needs, which will also be expanded to the preschool level. Azimah said these initiatives align with global best practices and demonstrate the government's serious commitment to improving access to quality education for every child. "Early detection and support for children with special needs is also long overdue, without it, many children fall through the cracks and are never given a fair chance," she said. However, she added that some parents, especially in low-income or rural communities, may struggle to adapt to the government's new policies. "For them, sending a child to school means transportation costs, meals, uniforms, and a loss of potential income. "Therefore, comprehensive subsidies, such as free meals, transportation assistance, and preschool fee waivers, are essential," she said. It was reported that the amendments to the Education Act 1996 would be tabled in the parliament next month to make it compulsory for children to receive education until the age of 17. Under the existing policy, every parent of a citizen residing in Malaysia must ensure that their child receives six years of compulsory primary education.
Free Malaysia Today
17 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ikhlas deregistered 3 years ago, RoS confirms
RoS director-general Zulfikar Ahmad said Ikhlas was deregistered on Nov 24, 2022 under the Societies Act 1966. (RoS pic) PETALING JAYA : Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas), an NGO advocating for small-time entrepreneurs, was deregistered three years ago, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has confirmed. RoS director-general Zulfikar Ahmad said Ikhlas, which had listed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its patron, was deregistered on Nov 24, 2022 under the Societies Act 1966 for failing to submit annual financial statements, Scoop reported. According to the portal, the NGO was led by Ridzuan Abdullah, who is also a secretariat of NGO Gabungan Ikhlas Malaysia. Gabungan Ikhlas Malaysia was reported to have issued statements in early January on the addendum linked to Najib Razak, the country's sixth prime minister. Ridzuan however declined to comment or confirm the deregistration of Ikhlas when contacted by Scoop. Two years ago, it was reported that Ridzuan had been charged with 12 counts of filing fraudulent claims with the Social Security Organisation to obtain incentives from the Penjana Kerjaya 2.0 Programme, totalling RM378,000. He was alleged to have submitted documents with inaccurate salary information, indicating that the employees listed had not actually been paid those amounts. The charges were framed under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
SIS hails court ruling as milestone in keeping religious authorities accountable
The Federal Court today quashed a 2014 fatwa labelling Sisters in Islam 'deviant', in a ruling hailed as a win for constitutional rights and accountability. PETALING JAYA : Women's rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) has hailed today's Federal Court ruling as a milestone in ensuring that religious authorities remain accountable to constitutional principles and the rule of law. The NGO said the landmark judgment, which quashed a 2014 fatwa issued by Selangor religious authorities, reaffirmed the supremacy of the Federal Constitution, the right to judicial review, and the principle that no institution, including those issuing fatwas, is above the law. 'This is not just a victory for SIS, but a win for all Malaysians who believe in due process, democratic oversight, and the inclusive spirit of Islam,' it said in a statement. SIS also maintained that when religious policies infringe on rights or discriminate, especially against women, citizens have the right to seek judicial review. 'This case is not about Islam, but about public law and public policy that must pass the test of public scrutiny,' it said. The NGO reiterated that its struggle 'was never an attack on Islam', but was a 'principled legal challenge to a process that lacked transparency, natural justice and faireness'. SIS had sought to quash the fatwa by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council that the NGO had deviated from the teachings of Islam by purportedly subscribing to 'liberalism' and 'religious pluralism'. It failed in its previous challenge of the fatwa in the lower courts between 2019 and 2023.
