Citing reports from the National Statistics Department, PKR Youth communications director Chan Chun Kuang estimated that more than 741,600 Malaysians were currently jobless, as the unemployment rate had increased to 4.7% in August compared to 3.3% last year.

He was worried that more individuals and their families would be facing financial crises if the rates continue to increase.

“We have witnessed some incidents of people who lost their jobs choosing to end their lives after facing economic and social pressure.

“We have also witnessed many businesses forced to close because there was no profit, which contributed to the increase in unemployment rates,” he said in a statement today.

Chan said the government needed to implement “drastic approaches” to prevent further consequences on the social and economic sector.

He urged Putrajaya to consider offering temporary jobs in the public sector, statutory bodies, government-linked companies and non-profit organisations.

“The job guarantee policy will at least ensure the unemployed have a minimum source of income to go on with their lives,” he said.

Umno Youth had also called for a job guarantee scheme for the youth in July.

The youth wing had previously formed a task force to provide the government with suggestions on how to bolster the creation of jobs for the 2021 budget and the 12th Malaysia Plan.

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