1MPAK programme proves government's concern over unemployment issue

BERA: The government has never turned a deaf ear or a blind eye to the unemployment issue faced by young people in the state as claimed by the opposition.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said 2.6 million new job opportunities had been created for the people since the government transformation programme was implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

"The government has been implementing various programmes from time to time to create job opportunities, such as the Sustainable Community Development Initiative (1MPAK) programme which specifically aimed at providing job opportunities for graduates, especially from rural areas.

"This is the difference between the government and the opposition which only knows how to criticise but does not give any solution," he told reporters after launching the first 1MPAK programme at Dataran Kerayong here today.

Also present were Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) chairman Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris and Mara director-general Datuk Azhar Abdul Manaf.

A total of 7,000 people from around the district attended the programme which provided various types of activities including job matchings, interviews, entrepreneurship and educational programmes.

"The 1MPAK programme implemented under this ministry is a comprehensive programme with the target of creating 250,000 job opportunities within 10 years, and thus addressing the problem of unemployment in the country.

"Employment opportunities are not only created through positions offered by companies but also employment opportunities created through entrepreneurship and we will provide various forms of information assistance and funds that can help these groups.

"For a start, the programme will be held at 26 selected locations nationwide until this April and will see the participation of 70 companies from various industries," he said.

Besides attending the programme, graduates with degrees, diplomas and certificates could also register online via the 1MPAK.my portal, he added. — Bernama