‘Will my job still exist in 10 years’ time?’: Ahead of Budget 2027, youth minister sums up young Malaysians’ fears

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — The Youth and Sports Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari, addressed the concerns of young Malaysians at the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association's (PFAA) Youth Economic Forum 2026 (YEF 2026). Ahead of the government's upcoming Budget 2027, Dr. Taufiq highlighted three primary worries faced by Malaysia's youth.

Firstly, the affordability of living costs, secondly, the potential job instability in the next decade, and thirdly, the lack of support when facing adversity. These concerns were discussed in panel sessions on artificial intelligence, talent, green energy, and social protection, as the youth's welfare would not be effectively addressed if policies fail to alleviate their anxieties.

Dr. Taufiq emphasized that being resilient is not a policy but a result of government intervention. The Malaysian federal government is working on raising both the ceiling and the floor of the economy to ensure all citizens benefit from foreign direct investments. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, received six policy proposals from the PFAA based on a nationwide survey of over 2,000 youths, covering AI, green entrepreneurship, skills development, better public services, foreign direct investment, and the establishment of a National Youth Economic Action Council.