Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has encouraged Malaysians to take up entrepreneurship as it can not only generate income, but also create job opportunities for others.

He said the government wanted Malaysia to continue progressing, particularly from the social and economic aspects.

"In reaching this goal, we want to see a community comprising people who are versatile or ''all rounders'', he said his speech at the launch of the Njoi Now Application here today.

The text of his speech was read by Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.

Najib said the youth represent the biggest digital users, as they are of a generation that prioritises information that can be obtained from their electronic devices.

According to the Prime Minister, statistics showed that subscriptions through gadgets recorded an increase to 44.5 million throughout Malaysia and supported by the high penetration of smartphones that reached 16.4 million last year.

This development as well as the availability of stable broadband and Internet services, resulted in users having the latest information, as well as entertainment, immediately at their finger tips, he said.

He also urged the youth to take advantage of the digital economy which the government is aggressively promoting such as the recent Digital Free Trade Zone.

At the same time, Najib said the broadcasting field can also play an important role as an agent to mould the minds of viewers.

"With entrepreneurship programmes leading towards the digital realm, those interested can obtain guidance as well as tips to undertake business as well as learn the intricacies of trading online.

"Programmes as such also have content where traders can share experiences. This will certainly assist those just starting out in business to avoid past mistakes and continue to be mentored until they receive good returns," he added.

Meanwhile, the launch of the Njoi Now application, organised by Astro, covers programmes in various languages with content including news, entertainment, sports and education.

It is hoped that that use of the application will contribute towards an increase in the number of Malaysians with digital access, and subsequently enhance awareness towards being digital savvy. --Bernama