Belia perlu berani keluar cari peluang tapi jangan lupa tempat asal, kata Zahid

Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister, urged young people from rural areas to have the courage to explore opportunities outside their comfort zones, but not to sever ties with their communities. He emphasized that contributing to village development does not necessarily mean returning and settling in one's hometown; instead, it can be achieved by sharing knowledge, skills, networks, and opening opportunities for one's community.

Zahid suggested that if there are learning opportunities in Kuala Lumpur, go for it; if there is a good job in Johor, seize the chance; if there is a chance to build experience abroad, go and see the world. Sometimes, he added, we need to step out to become better. However, no matter how far one goes, one should not sever ties with the place that raised them.

He stated this during the 2026 Village Youth Convention at Hilton Glenmarie Shah Alam. As Minister of Village and Area Advancement, Zahid emphasized the need for the government to ensure opportunities are not limited to urban areas but extend to rural youth as well. He noted that the main challenge for rural youth is not a lack of talent but the extent to which opportunities can be accessed.

He said, "If given equal space and opportunities, a youth from Gerik can compete with a youth from Kuala Lumpur. A youth from Gua Musang can become a technology engineer. A youth from Semporna can establish a digital 3D company. A youth from Kapit can bring local products to the global market." He reiterated that median household income in rural areas has risen to RM4,588 in 2024, while rural internet access reached 90.7% in 2025.

However, he stressed that mere access is not sufficient if it does not translate into economic opportunities and real results. Zahid also pointed out that village economy should not be confined to traditional sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and food processing. Instead, young people in rural areas should be prepared to venture into high-value sectors such as technology, semiconductors, green energy, automation, and the digital economy.

According to him, the ecosystem under the Ministry of Village and Area Advancement has 281 educational and technical vocational training (TVET) institutions offering 588 skill programs, involving over 70,000 students with a graduation rate of around 96.2%. As the chairperson of the National TVET Council, Zahid expressed his desire for more rural youth to acquire high-value skills so that they become not just job seekers but skilled individuals needed by industries.