Belanjawan 2027: Belia mahu bantuan tunai langsung, kata exco Pemuda PKR

Pemuda PKR's Exco, Noor Amelia Zainabila Zaiffri, has stated that Malaysia's youths want the government to provide direct cash assistance in the 2027 Budget. This view stems from two public dialogues held with the group during the previous year. Noor Amelia believes that providing the youths with cash assistance, even in the form of vouchers or cards, is the most viable option.

The issue of housing finance, too, shows similar sentiments, where government subsidies are seen as merely alleviating financial burdens for first-time homebuyers, rather than offering direct assistance. For instance, the tax exemption for purchasing a first home up to RM500,000 is cited as an example. While Puteri Umno's Shamellya Norazizi welcomes financial assistance for young homebuyers, she cautions them to consider how long they will rely on such initiatives.

She also expresses concern about the growing trend of debt among youths, especially through buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes. Noor Amelia notes that home ownership is no longer the top priority for Generation Z, with some opting for renting due to factors like work mobility or lack of readiness for family life. High down payment requirements, due to the low number of young people able to afford the initial costs of homeownership, also pose a challenge.

However, Noor Amelia stresses that this does not mean the government should allow young people to continue renting indefinitely, emphasizing the need for schemes like Real Estate Ownership (RTO) and credit guarantees to help them own homes. Meanwhile, Shamellya highlights the influence of social media and the tendency to compare oneself with peers, putting pressure on young people to chase housing and lifestyles beyond their means.

Therefore, she urges the youth to consider home ownership as a starting point and prioritize saving, rather than accumulating excessive debt merely to keep up with others.