SIBU: Sibu is a tale of heartbreak despite being an economic hub, youths continue to leave this riverine town in search of greener pastures.
Not wanting to wait for the trend to deteriorate, Pelawan assemblyman Vincent Goh sprang into action, calling on both the public and private sectors to play a more aggressive role in bringing more and better opportunities for youths.
He believed budding entrepreneurs should be assisted, given Sibu is the gateway to Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
To show he meant business, Goh would coordinate efforts to provide a seminar for the building of small and medium industries (SMI) next month.
“We may have improved in providing more jobs for our young people but in Sibu, job opportunities still worry me.
“It breaks my heart to see youths leave town, knowing they may not return to stay permanently, because once they find opportunities outside, they will stay on.
“We have to do something to nurture local youth, for they are our future leaders and managers. We must ensure they are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” Goh said at a dinner hosted by Sarawak Labour Department at Tanahmas Hotel here on Saturday.
More opportunities and jobs have to be created for them. Among others, the two-tier seminar would enable youths to explore opportunities in SMI, he said.
Malaysian Industry Development Authority (MIDA) will give information on opportunities for investments at the seminar.
The government’s principal agency for the promotion of the manufacturing and service sector had helped companies invest in them, including facilitating the implementation of their projects, he said.
“I appeal for active participation of young people who aspire to grow with the nation, and young entrepreneurs who aspire to take the leap forward in building a high income society by improving service through skilled labour.”
The assemblyman said the government was working to facilitate an enabling environment, cushioning the impact of change in the business world.
In this connection, he called on all under the umbrella of 1Malaysia to rekindle the spirit of united dynamism and cooperation to achieve the aspiration of becoming an advanced and high income nation.
Earlier, Goh disclosed that the unemployment rate in Malaysia stood at 3.20 per cent for the third quarter of 2010. From 1998 until 2010, it averaged 3.43 per cent. It reached a historical high of 4.50 per cent in March 1999 and a record low of 2.90 per cent in March 1998, he recalled.
The government had carried out various programmes to help the country weather the global economic meltdown.
He cited the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) which targeted a 40 per cent skilled workforce by 2020.
The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) launched by the prime minister last November would require a lot more skilled workers to fill the 3.3 million positions to be created by the various National Key Economic Areas (NKRAs).
He said: “Count ourselves lucky for such a committed government. In Greece, the unemployment rate has touched 10.6 per cent.”
Among those present were state Labour Department’s deputy director August Buma, assistant director Lau Siew Ing and Social Security Organisation (Socso) Sibu branch manager V Mohanadas.