DREAM BIG, PM URGES GENERATION Y
Govt drafting policies that are pro-Gen Y, says Najib
MALAYSIA’S Generation Y (Gen Y) must dare to dream big and aim high to become successful in future, as well as to help the country churn out more formidable entrepreneurs.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said each and every Gen Y-er must have his or her own dreams and ambitions, and emulate the world’s most successful people.
“Every Gen Y (member) must strive to be successful one day and work towards fulfilling his dreams and aspirations.
“The government, on its part, will continue to provide the relevant infrastructure and devise policies which are Gen Y-friendly,” Najib said here yesterday at the launch of the Gen Y Green The City Melaka.
The programme is the brainchild of Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, to gather some 80,000 Gen Ys at the venue where many activities for youths are held.
Najib said there was nothing wrong with Gen Y-ers dreaming big and becoming successful like Ali Baba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
“The Gen Y-ers here can aspire to become a coconut shake operator in Klebang and who knows, one day, the operator can be as successful as Starbucks.
“If others laugh at us and say it’s impossible to be renowned internationally, look at Wozniak who had to quit university and has now realised his dreams,” Najib said.
He added that at one time, nobody believed in Wozniak, but he had now become successful and the nation’s Gen Y-ers must take cognisance and learn from him.
“I’m telling this because the Gen Y-ers should emulate successful people.
“Even though we can’t be like them, at least we have dreams, rather than not having any dreams at all,” he said.
Najib said leaders should always support the Gen Y and not cause problems and impede them from advancing.
“As leaders, we should not think about ourselves, as the Gen Y will succeed us in future, and that is why I formulated the National Transformation 2050 (TN50), which is a blueprint to steer our youths to the future,” he said.
Najib said leaders should work hard and prepare the younger generation to face challenges.
“Don’t just talk and make empty promises, as we must prepare today for the future of our children and granchildren,” he said.
Najib added that the government was doing its best for the Gen Y’s future with programmes, such as the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M), as well as the issuance of debit cards for them to buy books.
“We do our best for the current generation as well as for the next 20 to 30 years,” said Najib.
He said the government was not making empty promises and expressed confidence that Gen Y would support the programmes, as well as the government’s policies.
“Under the 2018 Budget, there is something for everybody, which includes the Gen Y, the young, and pregnant women who can leave work earlier by one hour, and also receive RM200 for their unborn child,” Najib said.
During the event, Najib conveyed a message to the future generation in a time capsule buried under a Gen Y replica, which will be opened in January 2050.