HAVE you ever dreamed of becoming a chief minister or an assemblyman?
If yes and if you are young, between the ages of 18 and 35, the state Youth Assembly will be an ideal platform for you to be heard and exposed to politics.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee called upon Penang youths to join the annual Youth Assembly that would be organised by the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) this year.
“Who knows that from the Youth Assembly, there may arise a chief minister or an assemblyman?
“Assemblymen like A. Kumaresan (Batu Uban), Daniel Gooi (Pengkalan Kota) and Chris Lee (Pulau Tikus) once took part in the Youth Assembly before they became elected representatives,” said Soon during the launching of the Youth Assembly 2021 in Komtar today.
He added that PYDC, which has held the Youth Assembly since 2015, has modified the modules after getting input from a committee which was set up to improve its implementation.
“We want the youths to air their views. We want to listen to them, whether they are suggestions or criticisms.
“We want to develop more quality politicians and this platform (Youth Assembly) can help them grow and know their rights and laws, as well as sharpen their debating skills.
“The state government, through PYDC, is committed to producing young leaders of calibre and for them to act as a check and balance.”
Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, who were both present, gave their support to the programme.
Syerleena said the Youth Assembly is one good initiative by the state government and hoped it would draw good response.
Kumaresan said youths should take the golden opportunity to be trained and show off their oratory skills and debate on relevant issues.
Also present were PYDC directors Lee Wei Seang and Fahmi Zainol, PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling and PYDC deputy general manager Ng Hooi Ting.
Gwee said PYDC would run five workshops before selecting 40 participants who excel in the workshops for the Youth Assembly.
A participant is allowed to take part in only one of the five workshops, with each workshop catering to a maximum of 35 participants. Hence, PYDC is expecting a total of 175 participants this year.
She said the workshops are aimed at emphasising the values of civic awareness, democracy, community empowerment and getting the youths’ perception of Penang and the country in terms of the political, social and economic issues.
“This year’s Youth Assembly will follow the actual State Legislative Assembly session with oral questions, debate sessions, winding-up sessions and will be chaired by State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang,” Gwee explained.
“The participant who obtains the highest mark from the workshops will be nominated as the Chief Minister, followed by the next 10 participants as Exco members, and the other 29 participants as either backbenchers or opposition.
“The 40 participants selected will first undergo field training where they follow an assemblyman to know the ins and outs of preparation for the State Legislative Assembly.”
The five workshops, with each lasting three days and two nights, are scheduled on April 9-11, May 21-23, June 18-20, July 16-18 and Aug 13-15.
The registration fee is RM80 for each participant, but is RM50 for students. Accommodation and food expenses are borne by PYDC.
More information on the Youth Assembly programme can be obtained on the PYDC website www.pydc.com.my or call 012-401 0186.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting