KUALA LUMPUR: The structure of the country’s preparedness towards becoming an ageing nation will be examined under Budget 2027, says the Economy Minister.
Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (pic) said this step is essential to ensure sustainable economic growth while empowering the next generation.
“The younger generation must shoulder greater responsibility for maintaining economic momentum and national growth.
“To delve into this issue, the Economy Ministry is examining the structure of the country’s preparedness for an ageing population, not only focusing on managing an elderly population but also preparing the younger generation for their future well-being,” he said after officiating the Junior Innovathon: Di Sini Inovasi Bermula event here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Regarding youth development, Akmal Nasrullah said the ministry aims to broaden exposure to specialised programmes and highlight economic opportunities that were previously unclear to them.
“We want to create avenues for young people to explore sectors previously closed to them, particularly equity markets and asset ownership.
“This will allow them to gain experience and venture into emerging industries,” he said.
The minister said education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) needed to be strengthened through talent development from the grassroots level.
“We are prioritising talent development by equipping youth with the skills needed for high-growth, high-value industries, while simultaneously boosting R&D funding for commercial application rather than purely academic pursuits,” he added.
Junior Innovathon Season Two, an RTM-produced television show, begins airing on Sept 20.
The series features the top 50 teams selected from 2,092 entries, culminating in the final championship broadcast on Nov 1.
