Chee Seong

Updated: 26 March 2009

Due to popular demand of National Youth Consultation Conference (NYCC) training workshop that we have held last year 20 & 21 Dec, the committees have decided to organize the 2nd NYCC Training Workshop – Youth Participation: Know your Rights.

Date: 28 & 29 March 2008 (Sat & Sun)
Venue: Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Fees: RM10/= per person.
Language: English and Bahasa Malaysia

This is one the activities that we will be organising preparing towards NYCC July 2009.

This training aim to raise awareness on the issues of rights and also to stimulate youth participation in the social issues. And we believe each and everyone can play a part in contributing to the society.

We also hope that the participants would be able to play a role in the organising the NYCC 2009 in 25 & 26 July, 2009.

Please find attached are copies of the Training Programme, the Registration Form and the Youth Agenda for Change. Please email back the Registration Form by 25 March 2008 (Wed) to y4c2006@gmail.com

Should you have further queries, please contact the Chee Seong 012-6958160.

We are looking forward to meeting you for an exciting and fruitful learning.

Download:
1. Registration form
2. Program tentative
3. Youth Agenda for Change

Wish you all a wonderful 2009. Happy New Year!

Let’s work together towards a better Malaysia.

So, in preparation for the <NYCC 2009> scheduled to be held in July 2009,  a two days training workshop with the theme of “Youth Participation: Know Your Rights” will be held.  The details of the training workshop are as follows:

DATE: 20-21 December, 2008 (Sat – Sun)
VENUE: Perangsang Templer Gold Club, Selayang
Fees: RM10/= per person.
LANGUAGE: English and Bahasa Malaysia

This is just one the activities that we will be organising preparing towards NYCC July 2009.

The Objectives of this training aim to raise awareness on the issues of rights and also to stimulate youth participation in the social issues.  And we believe each and everyone can play a part in contributing to the society.

We also hope that the participants would be able to play a role in the organising the <NYCC 2009> in July, 2009.

Please find attached are copies of the Training Programme, the Registration Form and the Youth Agenda for Change.   Please fax/email back the Registration Form on/before 15 December, 2008 (Mon) to the following:

Ms Teh Chian Yi (012 – 558 8804)
C/o Empower (Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor)
No 13   Lorong 4 / 48E   Seksyen 4
46050  Petaling Jaya    Selangor
Tel: 7784 4977  Fax: 7784 4978
email: chianyi@empowermalaysia.org

Upon receiving the Registration Form, we will send you a confirmation Letter if you are being accepted.   Please note that once your application is confirmed, kindly refrain from cancellation or “no show’ as the training is sponsored by the public fund.    Kindly inform the undersigned 3 days before the actual event if you are really unable to attend the training.  Should you have further queries, please contact the undersigned.

We are looking forward to meeting you for an exciting and fruitful learning.

Yours faithfully

For and on behalf of NYCC

Teh Chian Yi (Ms)
Programme Manager of Empower
www.nyccmy.org

News article

Youth wants more democratic space

In conjunction with International Youth Day, Malaysian youth came together in a youth walk with the theme “Youth, it’s time to take action now”.

Despite of freedom of assembly is very lacking in Malaysia, a group of 35 youth decided to celebrate the International Youth Day in Bukit Bintang by organizing a youth walk.

This youth walk was organized by National Youth Consultation Conference (NYCC), a coalition that advocates for youth issues. It is made up of Youth for Change (Y4C), Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), National Young Lawyers Committee (NYLC) and the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section (KLSCAH Youth).

This group of young people, aged 20 – 35 joined the youth walk by putting different issues in creative ways e.g. sandwich board, paint on the T shirt, walking behind a jail-like frame. Different issues were put up e.g. abolish University and University Colleges Act, gender equality, animal rights, environment protection and abolish Internal Security Act. They walked around the street and asking the pedestrian to support their issues by sticking a sticker on their board. 400 responses by sticker were collected throughout the walk in 1 ½ hour. A lot of public was astonished by this group of youth with colourful and creative materials.

A student was wrapped with cloth to show that students in university are being suppressed by the UUCA. He went round and asked the pedestrian to “rescue” him from the suppression by giving him a green sticker. A lot of supports were collected throughout the walk. Although UUCA amendment will be tabled in the coming parliamentary session, youth and students’ group still call for the abolishment of UUCA.

According to See Tho Chee Seong, the secretariat member of National Youth Consultation Conference, although young people are often said to be the future leaders of the country, yet there does not seem to be an avenue for them to express their views and ideas, especially with regards to issues that are affecting our society at large. Therefore, NYCC decided to celebrate International Youth Day by inviting Malaysian youth to join the youth walk and voice out their issues of concern.

There are 7 demands for this International Youth Day, which are:

1. Abolish Universities and Universities Act (UUCA) and establish a Youth Parliament

2. Government should take appropriate action to fight inflation

3. Dissolve race-based political parties

4. Stop blaming women’s dressing as a cause of rape

5. Set up Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) by an Act of Parliament

6. Equip youth with job-related and wide coverage skills training

7. Government needs to ensure the preservation of green zones

More photos…

9 August 2008

Press Statement

International Youth Day 2008 Celebration: -

Youth, it’s Time for Action!

In-conjunction with International Youth Day 2008, National Youth Consultation Conference (NYCC) is coming together with Malaysian youth to celebrate this day. NYCC is a coalition that advocates for youth issues. It is made up of Youth for Change (Y4C), Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), National Young Lawyers Committee (NYLC) and the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section (KLSCAH Youth).

Young people are often said to be the future leaders of the country. Yet there does not seem to be an avenue for them to express their views and ideas, especially with regards to issues that are affecting our society at large. The recently concluded General Election in Malaysia indicates that the people have decided to make a change. The youth must be empowered to becoming the active catalyst agents of change.  It’s time for youth action!

Youth Demands

1. Youth participation in politics
Repressive laws e.g. Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) deter students from participating and voicing out in issues concerning the country.

• UUCA should be abolished and replaced with an open policy or Act to ensure students can participate in issues concerning the country.
• We urge the government to establish a Youth Parliament where Malaysian youth can actively participate in policy debates and decision-making process.

2. Better living standard
Coupled with the petrol price hike and food price increase, youth are very much affected where majority of the youth are low income earners or students.

• We demand that appropriate action should be taken by the government to fight inflation which has surged to a 26-year high of 7.7% in June 2008.

3. No communal politics
The formation of ethnic-based political parties intensified the racial polarization.

• We call for dissolution of race-based political parties
• Resources and wealth should be distributed according to needs instead of ethnicity
• Government should initiate more inter-cultural programmes among youth, especially in the community level

4. ACA to be independent and stop police brutality
Ex-ACA officers pointed out that numerous investigations which involve high profile public figure were not completed due to political interference.

• We propose that the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) be set up by an Act of Parliament to ensure its independence and its credibility.
• We urge the government to implement the recommendations that have been proposed by the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to ensure fair and thorough investigations, and prevent police brutality.

5. Stop discrimination against women
Many young women experienced violence against women e.g. sexual harassment and the lack of safe public space restricts women from carefree involvement in the public.

• The dressing of women is always a target of attach as the cause of rape. Such misconception is certainly discriminatory and misleading.
• We ask to stop the discrimination against women and to provide safe spaces for all.

6. Fighting climate change
If all countries in the world were to emit CO₂ at levels similar to Malaysia’s, we would exceed our sustainable carbon budget by approximately 237%.

• In fighting climate change, we urge the government to ensure the preservation of green zones e.g. reserved forest, marine coastal land
• Government should increase public awareness on environmental issues e.g. alternative forms of energy usage.

7. Youth unemployment issues
With the spoon-feed, patronizing education system, youth are generally ill-equipped with relevant skills and knowledge required by the labour force.

• We urge the government to conduct relevant and wide coverage skills training to equip the youth for labour market, to be more critical and creative, competent and at the same time enhance their work ethics.

新闻稿

青年学生要求更多民主空间

配合8月12日世界青年日， 全国青年谘询会议，一个联合5机构组成的联盟， 成员有动力青年，吉隆坡及雪兰莪中华大会堂青年组，雪兰莪社区自强协会，全国青年律师的委员会和全国大专生团结阵线于8月9日下午4时在武吉免登举办青年之行，主题为”青年，是时候行动了”。

人 们常说青年人是国家未来栋梁，但是由于缺乏相关平台的种种不利因素，青年们的看法和意见未能对社会带来直接的影响。青年之行作为一个让年轻人把他们的问题 和建议抒发出来的平台。参与的35 位青年与学生运用创意如：画板、衬衫、监狱的框架来提出诉求如：废除内安法令、两性平等。 他们在街上行走同时在短短一小时内共获得400 位公众热烈响应。

此青年之行本预计在5时30分结束，但是在吉隆坡市政局官员要求解散下活动提早15分钟结束。

青年诉求

1. 废除大专法令以及成立青年国会

2. 政府须针对通货膨胀提出更具体的解决方案

3. 解散单一种族为基础的政党

4. 反贪污局必须向国会负责

5. 停止把女性穿着视为强奸案的原因

6. 政府必须保留绿肺地区

7. 政府应该提供更多与职场相关的技能训练于青年们以提高他们的竞争力

更多照片……

2008年8月9日

新闻文告

2008年度世界青年日庆典：-

“青年，是时候行动了” 青年之行

配 合国际青年日大会的主题：”青年和气候变化：是时候采取行动了”，全国青年谘询会议（NYCC），联合5机构组成的动力青年（Youth For Change），吉隆坡及雪兰莪中华大会堂青年组（KLSCAH Youth），雪兰莪社区自强协会（Empower），全国青年律师的委员会（National Young Lawyer Committee）和全国大专生团结阵线（Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia）将举办青年之行（Youth Walk About），主题为”青年，是时间候行动了”。

人们常说青年人是国家未来栋梁，但是由于缺乏相关平台的种种不利因素，青年们的看法和意见未能对社会带来直接的影响。

第12届的全国大选带来了新的政治局势，可能更好或更坏。浮现在我们脑海里的是新政府会如何管理国家及带领人民往哪里发展。现今的问题如问责制，腐败，适当地利用资源，比以往更需要认真地看待及解决。

此青年之行作为一个让年轻人把他们的问题和建议抒发出来的平台。我们会将对学生的权利、环境权利、妇女权利、种族主义和青年参政的问题提出诉求。

青年诉求

1. 青年参政

由于《大专法令》剥夺了学生的结社和参政自由权，所以必须废除此恶法和以一个开明的政策或法令代替之。

此外，政府应竭力促成我国第一个青年国会(Youth Parliament)，以确保青年们可以积极参与政策辩论和决策过程。

2. 提升生活素质

在汽油价格飙升和百物涨价的冲击下，没有稳定经济能力的青年们将首当其冲。政府有必要针对创下26年来达7.7%新高的通货膨胀率，提出更具体的解决方案，以纾解青年们面对生活的压力。

3. 向种族政治说”不”

我国单一种族政党的成立加剧了种族两极化。因此，我们呼吁解散单一种族为基础的政党，以一个倡导民主、多元、清廉和透明的政党代替之。

财富与资源的分配也应该基于人民的需要而不是种族固打制。政府同时也必须在青年社区中主催更具体的跨文化活动，以促进来自不同文化背景的青年们之间的了解。

4. 反贪污局必须独立自主和杜绝警察暴力

为了确保其独立性和公信力，反贪污局必须向国会负责，而非现今的首相署。此外，我们极力推荐政府执行皇家委员会所建议成立的独立警察投诉与行为不检委员会，以防止一而再再而三发生的警察暴力事件的发生。

5. 停止对女性的歧视

我国有许多女性遭到不平等的对待与歧视如性骚扰和缺乏”安全”的公共场所。因此，我们呼吁政府保障女性在这方面的权益，同时女性的衣着不应该成为导致强奸案发生的罪魁祸首。

6. 对抗气候变化

如果全世界的国家都排出与马来西亚同等指数的二氧化碳， 这将超出人们所能承担的限制多达237%。

在对抗气候变化的措施里，我们呼吁政府必须确保绿肺地区的保留，例如森林， 海洋等等。

政府也应提升和加强人民对环境课题的醒觉，例如多使用替代能源。

7. 青年失业问题

缺乏多元和填鸭式的教育体系使现今的青年普遍上都无法符合市场所需的技能和知识。

我们呼吁政府能提供更多相关的技能训练于青年们，使他们更具创造性和批判性和胜任素质，同时也能展现出更专业的工作态度。

These are interesting times. The outcome of the 12
MCPX
th general election has brought a wave of changes – for better or worse – to the current political climate. Questions that arise in every one’s mind is where this new administration will take us all, and issues such as accountability, corruption and appropriate use of resources are more pertinent than ever.

And youths are certainly not any less concerned about these issues, nor are they any less willing to have a fair share of say in the governance of Malaysia. In fact, the role of youths in these new changes which we see now cannot be denied.

Together with people more adult than them, hordes of youths came up, volunteered their time and energy to inform, exchange and organise collective action to demand changes in the administration of this country.

Whether it was teams of youths under non-governmental organisations and student groups or lone individuals exchanging information on Facebook, youths had strong opinions on the governance of this country. And they remain to have strong opinions and concerns about Malaysia’s destiny.

Different youths in this country have different concerns and experiences, with ethnicity, sex, geography and social class being some of the contributory factors. But what unites youths is their potential in contributing to the decision-making process of this country, with idealism, resourcefulness, responsiveness and resilience being common strengths of youths.

And more importantly, the fact that youths are tomorrow’s leaders cannot be under-emphasised. One day, they will take up the platform and make key decisions that will impact how resources are used and other people are treated.

Differences among our youths must be taken advantage of, whereby these differences are analysed and discussed in the spirit of healthy exchange and fair treatment for all. Thus, it is important to groom today’s youths so they become competent, just and democratic leaders of tomorrow.

But the sad fact remains that Malaysian youths lack the proper resources and avenues which enable them to assertively voice their opinions and concerns. More often than not, Malaysian youths are merely seen as valuable consumers groups, with their entertainment and luxury needs marketed towards them at almost every whim.

But their potential of being agents of change – social, economic, technological – has often been underestimated and ignored.

The National Youth Consultation Conference aims to change this and encourages youths to assume a greater role in the decision-making process, in line with the values of good governance such as participation and inclusiveness.

Youths must have a say in the eradication of poverty and corruption, the demand for elected and appointed leaders to be accountable, the shaping of non-discriminatory polices and the efficient allocation of resources.

Again, these principles such as accountability and efficiency are backbones to good governance, which is often regarded vital to nation-building, sustainable development and a healthy democracy.

In conjunction with International Youth Day with the theme: “Youth, It’s Time to Take Action”, we invite youths of Malaysia to walk with us on August 9, 4 pm at Bintang Walk. Here’s a chance for youth to put forward their issues in creative ways.

Youths have opinions and concerns about where Malaysia is heading, and they are not any less valid because of their age and supposed ‘naivety’.

Together, let’s work towards a more inclusive, transparent and democratic society. Any enquiries, please contact Boon 012 959 8210 or visit here.

The writer is secretariat member of National Youth Consultation Conference.

International Youth Day 2008 – It’s Time to Take Action

These are interesting times. The outcome of the 12^th General Election has brought a wave of changes – for better or worse – to the current political climate. Questions that arise in every one’s mind is where this new administration will take us all, and issues such as accountability, corruption, appropriate use of resources are more pertinent than ever. And youths are certainly not any less concerned about these issues, nor are they any less willing to have a fair share of say in the governance of Malaysia. In fact, the role of youths in these new changes which we see now cannot be denied. Together with people more adult than them, hordes of youths came up, volunteered their time and energy to inform, exchange and organize collective action to demand changes in the administration of this country. Whether it was teams of youths under non-governmental organisations and student groups or lone individuals exchanging information on Facebook, youths had strong opinions on the governance of this country. And they remain to have strong opinions and concerns about Malaysia’s destiny.

Different youths in this country have different concerns and experiences, with ethnicity, sex, geography political opinion and social class being some of the contributory factors. But what unite youths is their potential in contributing to the decision-making process of this country, with idealism, resourcefulness, responsiveness and resilience being common strengths of youths. And more importantly, the fact that youths are tomorrow leaders cannot be underemphasized. One day, they will take up the platform and make key decisions that will impact on how resources are used and other people are treated. Differences among youths must be taken advantage of, whereby these differences are analyzed and discussed in the spirit of healthy exchange and fair treatment for all. Thus, it is important to groom today’s youths so they become competent, just and democratic leaders of tomorrow.

But the sad fact remains that Malaysian youths lack the proper resources and avenue which enable them to assertively voice their opinions and concerns. More often than not, Malaysian youths are merely seen as valuable consumers groups, with their entertainment and luxury needs marketed towards at almost every whim. But their potential of being agents of change – social, economic, technological – has often been underestimated and ignored.

National Youth Consultation Conference aims to change this and encourage youths to assume a greater role in decision-making process, in line with values of good governance such as participation and inclusiveness. Youths must have a say in the eradication of poverty and corruption, the demand for elected and appointed leaders to be accountable, the shaping of non-discriminatory polices and the efficient allocation of resources. Again, these principles such as accountability and efficiency are backbones to good governance, which is often regarded vital to nation-building, sustainable development and a healthy democracy.

In conjunction with International Youth Day with the theme: “Youth, It’s Time to Take Action”, we invite youths of Malaysia to walk with us on August 9, 4 p.m, at Bintang Walk. Here’s a chance for youth to put up their issues in creative ways. Youths have opinions and concerns about where Malaysia is heading, and they are not any less valid because of their age and supposed naivety. Together, let’s work towards a more inclusive, transparent and democratic society. Any enquiries, please contact Boon 0129598210 or visit www.nyccmy.org.

* NYCC is a coalition that advocates for youth issues. It is made up of  Youth for Change, Empower, Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia, National Young Lawyers Committee and the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section

Written by : NYCC

Contact Person:

Teh Chian Yi

Secretariat Member of NYCC

Tel: 03- 7784 4977 / 7770 1475

Website: www.nyccmy.org

Email: chianyi@empowermalaysia.org

Get more information about International Youth Day here!

Tarikh  : 29 April 2008 (Selasa)
Masa   : 7.30pm – 10.00pm
Tempat : Auditorium, KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

Panelis 1: YB. Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah
Ahli Parlimen UMNO Temerloh, Pahang dan Bekas Presiden Majlis Belia Malaysia

Panelis 2: YB. Nurul Izzah
Ahli Parlimen KeADILan Lembah Pantai, Willayah Persekutuan

Panelis 3: YB. Janice Lee
ADUN DAP Teratai, Selangor merangkap Setiausaha Biro Antarabangsa DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY)

Panelis 4: YB. Nasir Zakaria
Ahli Parlimen PAS Padang Terap, Kedah

JADUAL PROGRAM

7.30pm        Ketibaan tetamu dan hadirin
8.00pm        Ucapan aluan daripada Pengarah Program
8.05pm        Forum: “Cabaran Wakil Rakyat Dalam Membawa Isu-isu Belia”
9.05pm        Sesi Soal Jawab
10.00pm      Penutup

ABSTRAK

Keputusan Pilihanraya Umum yang ke-12 sememangnya mengejutkan banyak pihak sehingga ada yang menyifatkan keputusan ini sebagai satu ‘tsunami politik’ di Malaysia. Di samping majoriti  2/3 Barisan Nasional telah dinafikan di parlimen, pakatan pembangkang telah menguasai 4 kerajaan negeri iaitu negeri Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak dan Selangor selain dapat mempertahankan kerajaan negeri Kelantan dengan mandat yang begitu selesa.

Antara perkara yang menarik perhatian, dalam pilihanraya kali ini, terdapat sejumlah calon-calon yang berusia 35 tahun ke bawah telah diberikan mandate untuk mewakili rakyat bagi kawasan Parlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri. Peranan wakil rakyat muda dilihat signifikan dan penting khususnya dalam memperjuangkan isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan hal ehwal belia-belia dan mempuk sifat ‘peduli politik’ di kalangan generasi muda.

Justeru, Persidangan Perundingan Belia Kebangsaan (NYCC) yang terdiri daripada 5 organisasi belia iaitu Youth for Change (Y4C), Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section (KLSCAH-Youth), Pusat Janadaya (Empower), National Young Lawyer’s Committee (NYLC) dan Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) mengambil inisiatif untuk mewujudkan platform diskusi ini bagi “YB-YB” muda untuk melontarkan pandangan mereka berhubung isu-isu yang membabitkan generasi muda secara khususnya dan rakyat secara amnya. Pada masa yang sama, NYCC berasa adalah penting bagi para wakil rakyat muda ini berhadapan dengan orang ramai sangat prihatin dan meletakkan harapan yang tinggi terhadap wakil rakyat muda yang telah dipilih dalam PRU kali ini. Apakah pandangan mereka terhadap isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan belia? Bagaimanakah mereka menangani masalah-masalah yang dihadapi oleh masyarakat hari ini? Apakah yang boleh mereka sumbangkan kepada masyarakat?

Akhirnya, NYCC berharap forum ini dapat menjadi satu titik permulaan kepada budaya politik konstruktif yang antara lain menekankan persoalan wacana politik yang jujur, objektif dan membina.

BAHASA: Bahasa Malaysia

Semua yang berminat untuk hadir diminta untuk mendaftar diri dengan urusetia NYCC di 03-77831164 atau Lee Khai Loon (013-3970519) atau Chua Yee Ling (012-7355025) atau emel ke y4c2006@gmail.com

Greetings from the secretariat!

After the 12th General Election, the political landscape in Malaysia has change. Some of the state governments are fall into the opposition parties. It is a great opportunity for us to assert our agenda to the new states government.

If we want our voices heard. Then we need to prepare ourselves with the position papers or memorandum about the issues that related to the youth. For example, the abolishment of UUCA, the establishment of Youth Parliament in the state level, the free education and some other agenda that we put in the Youth Agenda for Change.

Actually, the civil society already came out with the mechanism for the election at the local council. The women group also come out with their demands. CIJ also will push for their Freedom of Information Act. I think youth can focus on the youth parliament, abolishment of UUCA etc.

We shall engage with all the parliamentarian who support us. Furthermore, we can work together with the state government if they are interested with our proposal such as Youth Parliament in the state level. It can be a important mechanism to train the youth leaders who equip with the capability to debate, policy formation and articulation.

More important will be throw out your idea to us. We will call for a meeting in these few days in order to collect all the proposals from different individuals and organizations. I welcome the member organizations under the National Youth Consultation Conference (NYCC) to submit their proposals as well.

Therefore, the secretariat decided to call for a meeting to follow up the post General Election. Following are the details of the meeting,

NYCC Meeting to Follow-up Post Election Situation
Date: 24 March 2008 (Monday)
Time: 8pm – 10pm
Venue: KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Kindly to let me know whether you can make it or not. Thank you very much and hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,
Khai Loon