Kuala Lumpur, Nov 22 – The New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) would focus on boosting economic empowerment of 100,000 Indian youths in the next four years, said its founder and president Datuk M.Saravanan.
He said this flagship initiative aimed to improve the economic lives of the young generation in the areas of business, agriculture and farming.
Saravanan, who is also Youth and Sports Deputy Minister, said NAAM would increase economic opportunities for poor youths through financial literacy and skills training, as well as improving access to financial services.
“Unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of Indian youths is one of the most effective and lasting ways to help families and the community prosper.
“By investing in the young generation, we invest in success for the community,” Saravanan told Bernama, here, today.
Saravanan said NAAM, a non-governmental organisation, would focus on six pilot states – Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Johor – to identify disadvantaged youths and improve their access to productive resources and sustainable earning potential.
“We are dedicated to helping Indian youths connect for opportunities and productive engagement in order to stay competitive before Malaysia achieves high-income nation status by 2020,” he said.
Saravanan said this would be pursued through strategic partnerships with the local authorities, private sector and relevant institutions, while NAAM would also request the Selangor government to lease agriculture land for farming, for a minimal payment.
NAAM’s logo and theme song will be officially launched by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here, tomorow.
– Bernama
