KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Malaysian youth need clearer direction on the country’s digital and green economic future, particularly on career opportunities arising from emerging technologies, said Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (PFAA).
Its president Fanitsyara Kam Phon said more than 95 per cent of youth were using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, making it important for the Government to ensure they have the right skills and employment opportunities.
“Youth today want clear direction from the Government on where the country is heading in terms of the digital and green ecosystems, particularly in relation to career opportunities,” she said in a statement ahead of a roundtable discussion with Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo in conjunction with the Youth Economic Forum (YEF) 2026.
Fanitsyara said young people also wanted jobs that matched their salary expectations as well as the skills and knowledge they had acquired.
She said PFAA had proposed tax incentives for successful AI use cases and a micro-credit stacking system for AI and digital skills to accelerate workers’ adaptation to new skills.
“Malaysia’s next decade should focus on four pillars namely; digital and AI, green development, talent and social development; with economic growth accompanied by stronger talent development and social progress.
“Even if the numbers look good on paper, with billions of ringgit in investments coming in, if they are not enjoyed by the people, that is something we cannot call shared prosperity,” she said.
On AI adoption, Fanitsyara said PFAA had drafted six proposals to be discussed during the roundtable.
The proposals are AI for Every Business, Every Malaysian, aimed at expanding AI adoption among businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and traditional sectors; and the Green Economy Access Fund, to improve youth access to green economy skills, financing and markets.
The third proposal, National Youth Skills Enhancement Credits, would allow modular skills to be accumulated towards professional or master’s-level qualifications while working.
The remaining proposals are a National FDI Investment Mandate, linking foreign investment with local talent development and skills transfer; AI for Public Service Delivery Transformation, to improve services in areas such as education and healthcare; and a National Youth Economic Action Council, to provide a permanent platform for youth participation in economic policymaking.
She said the proposals would be further refined before being presented at YEF 2026 on October 3 at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
The forum is expected to bring together 3,000 youths, compared with about 1,000 previously.
Themed “Decoding the Next Decade: Advancing Malaysia’s Economic Frontier”, the forum aims to explore how youth can seize emerging opportunities and shape Malaysia’s economic direction over the next decade.
