SHAH ALAM – Rising cost of living and youth well-being are at the top of the agenda, according to Bersatu Armada chief Muhammad Hilman Idham, who spoke of the urgent need for humanity-driven policy responses.
He pointed out the harsh reality young Malaysians face today, balancing their lifestyles and career aspirations amid economic strain.
He said the cost of living was the gravest challenge confronting them.
In response, Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Bersatu were already listening and planning solutions, especially for young people.
Hilman revealed that these discussions were part of their national assembly deliberations, with the aim of incorporating outcomes into the upcoming election manifesto.
He said that this was not just about development; it had to be development with humanity.
"Development that lacks humanity is unsustainable. It does not bring true happiness to the people. We see our society increasingly stressed; most people work from 8am to 5pm, but does that really guarantee the best productivity or meaningful empowerment for them,” he said when met at the Karangkraf Complex today.
Hilman acknowledged that modern youth wanted more than traditional empowerment; they wanted socially conducive development.
He added that Bersatu’s Annual General Assembly (PAT) 2025 assembly would offer a broad platform for ideas, from students to professionals, ensuring diverse voices were heard.
Following the assembly, Armada planned to engage directly with youth across Malaysia.
He pointed out that the real pain points were sky-high living costs and immature wage levels, and challenged the coalition to offer more comfortable, flexible working solutions.
“Our young people are under immense pressure. Their wages are low, but their cost of living keeps rising.
"Assistance must not only be short-term handouts but sustainable measures that allow them to live with dignity and happiness,” he said.
Hilman stated that any policy or programme that ignored these elements would be rejected by the youth of tomorrow.
He called for a return to the 'new norm' introduced by Tun Mahathir during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership amid the pandemic, a time when flexible hours and non-office workspaces were embraced and appreciated by the young generation.
Yet, Hilman stated that model had since been abandoned, even though many youths had grown accustomed to it.
He urged PN and Bersatu to craft flexible yet productive workplace solutions that balanced comfort, discipline, and well-being.
“We want to listen, we want to offer solutions and we want to show that development can be done with humanity.
"If the government continues with old habits, they will lose the confidence of the younger generation,” he said.
He called for policymaking that is rooted in societal well-being and mindful of its broader community impact.