High cost of living among five challenges faced by Malaysian households - Bachok MP
Other challenges the government must address include the rising cost of raising children, lack of time, citizens having to work two jobs and gadget addiction among the population.
SHAH ALAM – The high cost of living is among the five challenges faced by every household in the country.
Bachok Member of Parliament Syahir Sulaiman said that other challenges the government must address include the rising cost of raising children, lack of time, citizens having to work two jobs and gadget addiction among the population.
He said these challenges highlighted structural economic, social and technological issues that affected both society and the nation.
"If every family is struggling with rising prices, it also reflects the nation's challenge in controlling inflation and ensuring economic stability.
"The government needs to address this issue with policies that can ease the people's burden, such as subsidies, cash assistance and price controls," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Elaborating further, Syahir added that the second challenge, the increasing cost of raising children, should prompt the nation to consider providing more incentives in certain areas.
He explained that these areas include education, healthcare and family support to ensure that the younger generation is neither marginalised nor left behind.
"For the challenge of lack of family time, the government should promote a work environment that supports family well-being, such as more flexible working hours, childcare facilities and creating more family recreational spaces," he said.
In addition, Syahir said that the government must ensure the economy can provide better and sufficient job opportunities for the people.
He added that the government could also introduce skill and training programmes relevant to industrial and gig economy needs.
"This is because some segments of society are forced to work two jobs to cope with challenges that reflect the nation's economic problems," he said.
Syahir also advised the government to address the social impact of excessive gadget use, especially among the younger generation.
"Society can be educated on healthier ways to use technology," he stated.
