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

Zakiah Hamidi, the Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized that the main challenge for young people living outside urban areas is not a lack of talent, but the extent to which opportunities are accessible to them. Speaking at the 2026 Belia Desa Convention in Hilton Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Zahid stressed that young people from rural areas should have the courage to venture out to seek knowledge, experience, and opportunities, but should not sever ties with the communities that raised them.

He noted that contributing to the development of one's hometown does not necessarily mean returning and settling in that place; instead, it can be done by sharing knowledge, skills, networks, and opening opportunities for one's community. Zahid encouraged young people to seize opportunities in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, or even abroad if there are chances to learn, work, or build experience.

However, he reminded that leaving one's community should not mean severing all connections. He further pointed out that the government needs to ensure that opportunities are not limited to urban areas, reaching out to young people in rural areas as well. According to Zahid, the main challenge for young people living outside urban areas is not a lack of talent, but how far they can access opportunities.

"If given equal space and opportunities, young people from Gerik could compete with those from Kuala Lumpur. A person from Gua Musang could become a technology engineer. Someone from Semporna could establish a digital 3 industry. And a young person from Kapit could bring local products to the global market," he said. It is clear that while rural household median income rose to RM4,588 in 2024, internet access in rural areas reached 90.7% in 2025.

However, access alone is not enough if it does not translate into economic opportunities and real results. Zahid also noted that rural economies should not be limited to traditional sectors like agriculture, livestock, handicrafts, and family businesses. Instead, young people in rural areas should be prepared to venture into high-value sectors like technology, semiconductors, green energy, automation, and digital economy.

Under the Ministry of Youth and Rural Development, he said there are 281 educational and vocational training 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 to see more rural youth acquire high-value skills so that they become skilled professionals needed by industries, not just job seekers.