Perak mulls RM500 first‑time marriage incentive to ease financial burden on youths ahead of 2027 state budget

IPOH, Aug 29 — A proposal to introduce a RM500 First-Time Marriage Incentive for youths in Perak will be submitted to the relevant State Executive Council (Exco) member for further discussion and refinement before being considered under the 2027 state budget.

Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah said the motion proposing the special incentive was unanimously approved during the recent fifth sitting of the Perak Youth Assembly.

He said the proposal reflected the state government’s concern and commitment to helping ease the financial burden faced by young people entering marriage.

“We view this as a positive initiative that demonstrates the state government’s care and concern by providing some assistance to newly married couples,” he told reporters after representing Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad at the presentation of the state-level National Youth Premier Award and the State Youth Special Award 2026 here last night.

Khairudin said the proposed assistance would target youths aged between 15 and 35, in line with the definition of youth under the Youth Development and Sports Act 2007 (Act 668).

He added that specific eligibility criteria would also be established, including that applicants must be Perak natives or have resided in the state for at least 10 years.

However, he said the final details and implementation of the proposed incentive would be subject to deliberation and approval by the State Executive Council before any official announcement is made.

“The proposal is expected to be finalised ahead of the presentation of the state budget in November,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khairudin said the National Premier Youth Award featured three categories, namely male individual, female individual and youth organisation, while the State Special Youth Award comprised seven categories fully funded by the state government.

“I hope the winners tonight will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for young people, particularly youths in Perak, to become actively involved in youth organisations and, in the process, develop leadership qualities, skills, a spirit of volunteerism and integrity,” he said.

Khairudin said all recipients underwent a comprehensive assessment by an independent panel comprising youth development experts and former state youth leaders.

Winners of both the National Premier Youth Award and the State Special Youth Award received trophies and certificates, along with cash prizes ranging from RM1,000 to RM10,000, depending on their placing in their respective categories.

In the male individual category of the State-level National Premier Youth Award, Muhammad Amizan Lokman, 28, representing Hulu Perak, emerged as the winner, followed by Muhammad Saiful Hanif Khairi, 29, representing Muallim, as runner-up, and Muhammad Awliya Mohd Fauzi, 25, representing Kerian, in third place.

In the female individual category, M. Ashhwina, 20, representing Larut Matang, took first place, followed by C. Vhainmathy, 21, representing Kerian, as runner-up, and Nicole Tiuk Yu Xuan, 20, representing Hilir Perak, in third place.

Meanwhile, the Larut Matang District Youth Council emerged as the winner in the youth organisation category, followed by the Federation of Malay Students of the Peninsula (Ipoh Branch) and the Malaysian Youth Clubs Association (Teluk Intan Area).

Winners of the 2026 Perak State Special Youth Award received RM2,000 in cash, along with a trophy and certificate, in each of the seven contested categories: charisma, entrepreneurship, resilience, young volunteerism, sports, persons with disabilities, and uniformed associations. — Bernama