SHAH ALAM - The government is urged to prepare an affordable insurance scheme as low as RM50 monthly to youth aged 18 to 25, especially those who are less fortunate.
The move is to ensure they are covered during accidents causing them injuries or permanent disability.
Belia Kelantan MP Ahmad Farhan Rosli said such plans must be included in Budget 2023 on Friday.
"Accidents among youths riding motorcycles are high. Many don’t have insurance and there is a need for the government to prepare an initiative for youths.
"The protection will not only benefit youths now but also in the future,” he told Sinar.
Farhan said an affordable insurance protection scheme must be implemented immediately as a large portion of youths are in the p-hailing industry.
"The current economic instability is causing youths to take up part time jobs in the gig economy sector without protection,” he said.
He suggested for the insurance scheme at RM50 monthly to attract youths to purchase it.
Belia Sarawak MP Muhammad Zhariff agreed with the suggestion as the youth contribute to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Malaysia 4B Youth Movement acting president Fahami Ashrof Badaruddin said the government should work with insurance companies to provide affordable protection for youths.
"Some Malaysians feel insurance as redundant. The government should take the best approach towards protecting this group,” he said.
Ashrof said insurance could give a chance for youths to decide their treatment should be in a private or government hospital.
Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan agreed to create a protection scheme for youths but the measure should be thoroughly reviewed as it increases government cost.
"The country’s debt is a barrier on providing insurance,” he said.
Sany said the government could make the Selangor General Insurance Scheme. It is a group general insurance scheme implemented by the state’s government agency, Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI) for individuals from one month old to 80 years.
The coverage is officially open for registration via the Wavpay e-wallet app which can be downloaded from the App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.
"What is being done by Selangor Pakatan Harapan (PH) could be translated to the unity government at Federal level.
"What’s important is the welfare of the people is looked into,” he added.