Employment Opportunities, Community Support Translate Into People's Well-being

By Nurul Syahirah Zulkifli and Nurrul Huda Ahmad Lutfi

KANGAR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- For Nur Hijrah Hayati Mahmud, 25, employment is more than just a source of income; it is a stepping stone towards building a more stable future while easing her mother's financial burden.

The holder of a Bachelor's degree in Office Systems Management (Honours) secured a job as a maintenance supervisor at a cement factory in Perlis last May after attending a walk-in interview under the MYFutureJobs employment service programme organised by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).

"This career programme provides a platform that makes it easier for young people to secure suitable employment, especially as finding a job after completing one's studies can be challenging these days.

"I learned about the programme through Perlis PERKESO’s social media channels before deciding to attend the interview session to explore job opportunities," she told Bernama recently.

For Nur Hijrah Hayati, the job not only provides a steady income but also offers opportunities to acquire new technical skills and gain valuable experience, strengthening her prospects for future career advancement.

Her experience illustrates how access to employment opportunities and appropriate support can have a direct impact on people's lives, particularly by strengthening family economic stability.

Perlis PERKESO director Ahmad Firdaus Hashim said employment is closely linked to public well-being, as economic stability also influences a family's social and emotional well-being.

He said career programmes that connect job seekers directly with employers are among the approaches adopted to facilitate access to employment opportunities and to provide the support job seekers need.

"Perlis PERKESO has organised 49 interview programmes so far this year to connect job seekers with employers, with 523 job seekers successfully securing employment through these initiatives as of June," he said.

While employment opportunities help strengthen stability at the individual and family levels, he said community support also plays an important role in ensuring that the needs of people at the grassroots level are not overlooked.

This is evident in the role of the MADANI Community as a bridge between the public and the government, particularly in raising local issues and helping residents access necessary assistance and services.

Indera Kayangan Utara MADANI Community chairman Dhrampal Singh said well-being should not be viewed solely in terms of financial assistance, but should also encompass social support, welfare, community engagement and education.

He said the platform facilitates the channelling of local issues, including requests for assistance for senior citizens and students seeking to pursue higher education, to elected representatives and relevant agencies for follow-up action.

"I have served as the MADANI Community chairman for two terms, and I can say that it greatly facilitates the handling of community matters when issues arise. As chairman, I can lodge complaints directly with the elected representative (Indera Kayangan Assemblywoman Gan Ay Ling)," he said.

Dhrampal added that close ties among the approximately 1,500 residents in the community are further strengthened through various community activities and national programmes, including the National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) celebrations.

Meanwhile, Perlis Information Department (JAPEN) director Aidatul Shima Che Hassan said 45 MADANI Communities in the state serve as strategic partners to the government in disseminating information, connecting the public with relevant agencies and mobilising community activities.

She said the MADANI Community platform also provides an avenue for people to voice their views, obtain accurate information on government policies and initiatives, and work together to address issues at the local level.

"These MADANI Communities bring together grassroots communities as strategic government partners in disseminating information, fostering unity and mobilising community activities through which well-being can be realised," she said.

The combination of employment opportunities, community support networks and access to relevant services is in line with the theme of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, "Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati", which emphasises efforts to ensure that the benefits of development and well-being are experienced by the people in their daily lives.

-- BERNAMA