The Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) feels the move by the government to exempt down payment for youths buying their first house would encourage more youths to own houses.

According to MBM president Mua’ammar Ghadafi Jamal Jamaludin, the exemption of deposit for houses announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Budget 2016 would be helpful as youths who want to own houses but hard-pressed to come out with a sum as deposit.

Mua'ammar was also thankful to the Prime Minister for meeting six of the seven items raised by MBM.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Tamil Youth Bell Club deputy president Ilavaragan Velu said the First Home Deposit Scheme announced in Budget 2016 to assist youths would help lighten the burden of the group.

"The housing scheme for youth with low-income is most welcomed to enable the younger generation to own houses. This is really commendable.

"The youth training programmes would enable them to progress in their careers and skills which are important in the current working environment," he told Bernama here, on Friday.

National UMNO Youth exco member Lokman Noor Adam said the budget was very comprehensive and covered all strata of society especially for B40 and M40 groups.

"Some people were talking as if the government has always been giving priority to B40 and marginalising the middle class (M40) and this time the government has given the group its due attention," he said.

He said with the implementation of Budget 2016, the rate of unemployment would be reduced and more employment opportunities created.

"The unemployment rate was at 2.9 per cent while 1.8 million jobs will be created with the implementation of Budget 2016 and this is good news for youths in Malaysia," he said.

The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) president Mohamad Raimi Abdul Rahim said ABIM welcomed the allocation for youths under Budget 2016 as announced by the Prime Minister on Friday.

"ABIM welcomes the allocation of RM930 million for youths," he said adding that the allocation could be used to foster the spirit of volunteerism by organising beneficial programmes for the people," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced a total allocation of RM930 million to the Youth and Sports Ministry towards empowering youths, community and non-governmental organisations.