JOHOR YOUTH UPBEAT ON STATE'S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

JOHOR BAHRU, March 9 (Bernama) -- Youth in Johor are optimistic about the state’s development trajectory, citing progressive policies and initiatives focused on education, quality employment and economic strengthening.

Johor’s record RM110 billion in investments last year, the highest ever recorded in Malaysia, has further strengthened confidence in the state’s future growth and development prospects.

Muhammad Danial Hakimi Abdul Razak, 23, said the surge in investment could attract young people, particularly those working outside Johor, to return and explore expanding career opportunities.

“The level of investment is very high. I believe it will encourage young people working outside Johor to come back,” the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) student told Bernama when met at the Johor Youth Iftar event here on Sunday.

He added that graduates could also benefit from higher wages in the future, noting expectations of a minimum RM4,000 salary under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Muhammad Danial, who is also UUM UMNO Siswa chairman, said the state government’s efforts to nurture talent through platforms such as the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) demonstrate long-term planning in human capital development.

“Through the JTDC platform, students and young people from Johor are given opportunities to develop their interests and skills more competitively,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nur Balqis Batrisya Yuddi, 21, a student at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Rembau campus, said the state government’s approach of benchmarking development against advanced economies such as Singapore reflects forward-looking and future-oriented planning.

“This is evident with Johor’s strong relations with other countries, including China. I personally hope that Johor will continue to remain stable and achieve greater progress in the future,” said the member of Dewan Muda Johor.

Muhammad Aliff Izzat Mistam, 25, a Master of Philosophy student at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), said the future of Johor’s youth looks promising, supported by political stability and inclusive development initiatives.

“Each initiative introduced by the state government has an impact on us, such as the advanced assistance for university registration that helps students from the beginning of their studies,” he said.

Muhammad Aliff added that programmes such as the Sekolah Rintis Bangsa Johor (SRBJ) also demonstrate long-term planning, nurturing skilled and competitive young generations from the school level.

Another member of Dewan Muda Johor, Ummi Aleeya Mohd Jafni, 23, said state assistance through Bantuan Kasih Johor (BKJ) has been particularly helpful for students.

“Some people say the amount is small, but the assistance means a lot to us, especially those studying far from Johor,” said the International Business student at UiTM Shah Alam.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Zhairul Irfan Jumari, 24, a student at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), said initiatives such as Dewan Muda Johor allow university students to voice their views to the state government while nurturing future leadership among young people.

-- BERNAMA