Dewan Rakyat Speaker says Youth Parliament decisions will reach actual Parliament through select committee to ensure youth voices are heard.
BANGI: Resolutions passed by the Malaysian Youth Parliament will be brought to the actual Parliament through a select committee.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said this ensures views from youth representatives translate into policy proposals and genuine parliamentary discussions.
“Any decisions they make will be brought to the real Parliament through the select committee,” he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Youth Parliament Town Hall Programme.
“This means their ideas will not be forgotten.”
The programme gathered about 250 student leaders from public and private universities and NGOs.
Johari said the Youth Parliament now operates under the Malaysian Parliament with a new format.
It serves as an incubator to train young leaders aged 18 to 30 in leadership objectives and societal responsibilities.
New elements include collaborative training through seven simulated political parties.
Participants also gain exposure to the proportional representation electoral system, replacing the previous individual-based approach.
Johari emphasised that early political system exposure ensures youth are guided toward becoming capable future leaders.
“If we do not do this, I believe we will not achieve our aspiration of becoming a great nation in the future,” he said.
“Other countries have already done it, but we are somewhat behind.”
He hopes the programme enhances youth understanding of Malaysia’s democratic process.
The Youth Parliament’s original objectives when established in 2014 were rather limited.
“With government funding, we hope participants gain new knowledge,” Johari added.
“Their understanding of the democratic process was previously quite minimal, so now we are upgrading it to provide greater exposure.” – Bernama
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