THE lack of job opportunities in Kedah, especially in Yan, is seen to be the main reason that pushes many young people to migrate elsewhere for income. 

A resident of Kampung Tengah Sungai Limau Dalam, Nur Aini Fatihah Shaharol, 19, said fresh graduates find it challenging to secure a job because employers prefer to hire adults with work experience. 

“Here, job opportunities are not open to everyone, so it is difficult for young people to start a career. Most employers prefer older people, and they don’t want youth because we have no experience,” she told Bernama when met in Yan recently. 

To prevent young people from migrating, Nur Aini Fatihah said the government needs to develop Yan and its surroundings to create more job opportunities and, in turn, stimulate economic growth. 

A resident of Kampung Kuala Dulang Kechil, Mohamad Redzuan Yusof, 26, said young people find it hard to land a job because many of them drop out of school due to financial difficulties. 

The palm sap seller said these dropouts could only opt for temporary jobs such as assisting fishermen and farmers or taking part in construction work with daily wages. 

“It is difficult to find jobs now because you need certificates. I hope that we can get employed even without a qualification. Give young people opportunities to work. Otherwise, they will sit around doing nothing,” he said. 

Commenting on the issue, Perikatan Nasional candidate for the Jerai parliamentary seat Sabri Azit said Yan is an agricultural district, and other sectors, including manufacturing, that often have many job openings are still underdeveloped. 

The Jerai incumbent said agriculture in the state needs to be empowered with the use of the latest technology so young people are more interested in venturing into the sector. 

Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Jamil Khir Baharom said Yan has several interesting locations that need to be aggressively promoted to develop the tourism sector in the area, creating more job opportunities for all. 

Several candidates vying to win the Sungai Petani parliamentary seat have also expressed their determination to assist young people. 

BN candidate Shahanim Muhammad Yusoff promised to help them find jobs and train under the Majlis Amanah Rakyat and National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund schemes. 

The former special officer to the rural development minister said she would try her best to get a public university, a race track and a sports complex built in the area, which could help generate more job opportunities for the people. 

Pejuang candidate Marzuki Yahya sad good communication infrastructure and stable internet connection are vital to encourage more young people to venture into online businesses.

“The eco-tourism and historical tourism industry need to be developed in the area so it can provide a source of income for young people who become tour guides, handicraft sellers or other service providers,” he said. – Bernama, November 13, 2022.