CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow took part in a dialogue session with 65 students from various universities at Hotel Jen in George Town today.
Organised by Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), the dialogue session served as a platform for Chow, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and PYDC chief executive officer Teng Kok Liang to listen to the opinions and ideas of the Penang youths.
Hariszuan Jaharuddin was the moderator in the approximately 90-minute session.
Among the students who raised questions were S. Yudhisthra, K. Revan (both Universiti Malaysia Sabah), Kimberley Mae Yen Vong Towonsing (Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Pulau Pinang) and Muhammad Imran Mohamed Rozli (UIN Sultan Syarif Kassim Riau, Indonesia).
Some of the issues raised were about the Penang Transport Master Plan, proposed minimum age for voters, non-smoking ban at eateries and food courts, and the welfare of the students.
“The views of the varsity students are very important for the state to help provide a conducive environment for them to nurture their talents and fulfil their potential,” Chow said in his speech.
“The youth of today face greater challenges with the rapid pace of technological advances and political transformation.
“It’s also vital for us to prepare the young generation and groom leaders for the future. As it is, we already have parliamentarians and ministers who are below 26 years old.”
Soon, in his speech, encouraged youths to be involved in voluntary works among other things to benefit the society.
He said attention must be given to young women who also play an important role in nation building.
“We need to have programmes or activities to empower them to be self-reliant and for them to believe in themselves,” Soon said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting