Kuala lumpur: Persatuan Anak Muda MADANI Kedah has called on the government to assist young people, particularly those in rural areas, in obtaining a driving licence, enabling them to benefit from the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative, which sets RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre. Its chairman, Datuk Zuraidi Rahim, said many rural youth have yet to obtain a driving licence due to certain constraints, despite possessing basic motorcycle riding skills.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zuraidi emphasized that many young people in rural areas ride motorcycles without a licence. Consequently, they are not eligible to buy RON95 at RM1.99 per litre, even though the BUDI95 initiative was created to aid the people. He suggested that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) could adopt a simpler approach by offering a programme to help this group obtain a driving licence.

Zuraidi proposed that JPJ introduce programmes in rural areas to facilitate young people in going through the training and tests more easily to get a driving licence. He mentioned the possibility of holding a special programme with JPJ, where young people without a licence could participate in a practical course in the morning and take the test in the afternoon. He believes this measure would not only help more youths obtain a valid driving licence but also allow them to enjoy the benefits of the targeted petrol subsidy initiative without violating traffic regulations.

Furthermore, Zuraidi suggested that the government channel funds to Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) nationwide to help them carry out suitable programmes and activities for school students. He noted that currently, many PTAs rely solely on contributions from individuals or specific organisations, which can sometimes be challenging to secure, to organise programmes and activities. Zuraidi emphasized the necessity of setting conditions wherein allocations to PTAs should be distributed in a structured manner, requiring associations to prepare working papers outlining their plans.