2027 Budget: Budi Belia 'a good starting point'

KUALA LUMPUR: For young Malaysians who give their time to help others, RM100 may cover the cost of getting to a volunteering session, but the satisfaction of making a difference is what keeps them going.

The proposed Budi Belia e-wallet incentive under the 2027 Budget could draw more youths into community work, particularly students who struggle to meet expenses, but those already volunteering say sustaining their interest will take more than financial rewards.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) veterinary student Yaashinii Naaidu Sri Sivabalasundram, 22, who volunteers at the Furry Kids Safe Haven dog shelter in Rantau, Negri Sembilan, said the money could help cover transport, meals and other expenses.

"Although it may not be a huge amount, it can serve as a good starting point to encourage youth participation," she said.

But Yaashinii said she would continue volunteering even without the incentive because of her commitment to animal welfare.

"I would have volunteered anyway because I genuinely care about animal welfare and enjoy contributing to a meaningful cause," she said.

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For Nor Arisha Natasha Mustapar, 25, the incentive could help youths take their first step into volunteering, even if money was initially their main motivation.

The UPM graduate, who works at Sanofi-Aventis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, has joined initiatives including delivering aid to B40 households through Yayasan Belia Malaysia's Harapan Ramadan 2026 programme, serving food with Feeding the Needy in Chow Kit and teaching underprivileged students through Tuisyen Madani.

"I see it less as a payment for their service and more as a small incentive to encourage them to take their first step," she said, adding that the experience could help them develop empathy and a stronger sense of social responsibility.

For Nor Syazlin Ishak, 22, who has volunteered with Feeding the Needy, BeKind Malaysia and Special Kids Therapy Centre, the value of volunteering lies in the human connection it creates.

"It is not only about providing food but also about making people feel valued, respected and cared for," she said, adding that simple gestures, such as wishing someone a good night or asking them to take care, could make a difference.

However, Nur Durrah Annisa Rusidi, 23, said getting young people involved was only half the challenge, as keeping them engaged required meaningful opportunities to contribute.

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"We need to make volunteering meaningful, not just financially attractive," she said.

Durrah, who previously volunteered through her university's organisation, Majlis Mahasiswa Anak Perlis, is working towards establishing a non-governmental organisation, GenzPerlis.

She said young people should be trusted with greater responsibility, including leading projects and participating in decision-making.

"Give us the platform, let us lead projects, involve us in decision-making and take our voices seriously.

The volunteers called for Budi Belia to support a wider range of causes, including animal welfare, environmental conservation and community service, while creating more opportunities for sustained involvement rather than one-off activities.

Yaashinii said this would allow youths to build lasting connections with the causes they support.

Meanwhile, Durrah said "the real success of Budi Belia would be when young people continue showing up, even after the incentive is gone".

Syazlin, who developed an interest in volunteering while in secondary school, said the experience had broadened her perspective and taught her to be more compassionate.