DPM: Youth groups must be multi-racial
17 May 2017 Print page
PUTRAJAYA: Membership in youth organisations should be multi-racial to reflect the diversity of the country and to promote harmony and unity among young Malaysians, says the Deputy Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said these organisations should break away from the old ways where different bodies were set up to represent youth from each ethnicity.
He wants the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) to lead the change by having a “good mix” in its leadership to represent all races.
“I believe this will be good for the future generation if there are organisations that can represent all Malaysians instead of having different bodies to represent the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans or Ibans,” he said at the National Youth Day celebration.
Dr Ahmad Zahid assured some 2,000 youths at the gathering that they have the “ears of the Government”, adding that under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the group has various platforms to air their views.
“We have the Youth Parliament and a consultative council. Under the National Transformation 2050 (TN50), they are also given a big say on shaping the nation.
“The Government values your views and will implement the suggestions as much as possible.
“While the Government is open and receptive, my advice to you is to put forward your case intellectually and through discourse and not get your emotions get the better of you. I assure you, we will listen,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister described the current system of a good mix between senior and young leaders as suitable for the country to ensure stability.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he would be meeting the MYC to discuss on how best to ensure its leadership composition reflects the community as aspired by the Deputy Prime Minister.
“This is among the things that we will be looking into, apart from finding the right formula to implement the new age limit which categorised youths as those between the ages of 15 and 30, instead of the current maximum age of 40,” he said.
Khairy said the Government was determined to implement this but was facing hiccups as most youth organisations lack leaders in their 20s, adding that one formula was to introduce a transition period before the full implementation.
Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/16/dpm-youth-groups-must-be-multiracial-organisations-should-reflect-malaysias-diversity-and-promote-ha/#1LwEK9zkK5Dr4wgc.99