DPM: TN50 can guide youth

MALACCA: Youth in Malaysia have the Transformation 2050 or TN50 policy to guide them as they face new emerging global trends that could make or break the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said TN50 was an ambitious plan that aimed to transform the nation.

“TN50 is the first of its kind of a bottom-up consultation process that will take into consideration the demands and aspirations of every sector of the community,” he said at the opening ceremony of Asia Urban Youth Assembly in conjunction with the 17th Convention of Malacca Twin Cities 2017.

“Only through dedication and cooperation can we conquer our own future. Input from youth is certainly crucial as they are the eventual owners and beneficiaries of the plan come 2050.”

Zahid said the main global trend they would face was the shrinking working-age population in wealthy countries such as China and Russia. It would also go in tandem with the growing working-age population in developing countries in Africa and South Asia, he said.

“Africa with fertility rates double of those of the rest of the world and parts of Asia are on course for their working-age populations to soar.

“This could lead to economic progress or disaster depending on how well their governments and societies boost investment in education infrastructure.”

Present were Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Malacca Historical City Council mayor Datuk Zainal Hussin.

The four-day conference, which began on Saturday, saw 300 delegates from 22 countries.

Zahid said the second global trend was the shifting world economy while the third was changing climate environment and health issues.

“A range of global hazards poses imminent and long-term threats that will require collective action to address even as cooperation becomes harder.”