KUCHING: Kota Sentosa State Assemblyman Wilfred Yap has expressed his disagreement with the RM100 cash handout recently announced by the Prime Minister, calling it an unsustainable move that fails to address the root causes of economic hardship.
“While I understand the intention to provide some relief in the face of rising living costs, one-off handouts like this do little to resolve deeper issues such as income stagnation, job insecurity, and skill mismatches,” he said in a statement.
Yap feels that Malaysians need more than temporary financial aid. “Instead of giving a fish for a day, the government should be teaching people how to fish. What Malaysians really need are sustained opportunities to improve their skills, earn better incomes, and become self-reliant.”
Citing Singapore as an example, he pointed to that country’s strong focus on upskilling, digital empowerment, and effective employment matching as policies that empower people to thrive, not merely survive.
He urged the federal government to redirect resources towards long-term economic reforms, such as strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), improving access to digital learning, expanding job placement schemes, and fostering entrepreneurship—particularly for the B40 group and the younger generation.
“We must not normalise the belief that every problem can be solved with a one-off handout. Our people deserve better. They deserve meaningful employment, the opportunity to build a better future, and a government committed to long-term solutions—not just short-term relief,” he added.
By Connie Chieng