Artificial Intelligence, an increasingly borderless world transcending time and space, and the digital economy that shifts with the prevailing technology. These are but a slew of factors that Malaysian youths of today must deal with.
And with our nation’s policymakers committed to driving the economy further into the digital realm, the role and ability of our Malaysian youths to contribute to the process of nation-building needs to be highlighted.
According to University Of Malaya Young Leaders Association Founder and President Lim San Shien, today’s youths need to be aware of their ability to contribute to the nation.
He said there are various platforms on which youths can participate such as the Youth Parliament, National Youth Consultative Council, National Youth Day and Perdana Fellow besides the many other youth associations in Malaysia.
These platforms allow them to work together with the government to realise the policies that have been put in place. Lim added that the youths must identify their focus area and develop it, take for example, volunteerism or youth empowerment.
Lim said social cohesion is vital in this exceedingly disconnected world and the youths can play a prominent role by being ambassadors of unity. These can be achieved through a better understanding of people from other races.
He added that the UM Young Leaders Association organises all kinds of meaningful activities from youth leadership, community service, sports and recreation activities to international programmes as well as represented Malaysia in international events like Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC), and the Hong Kong Legal Week.
With regards to the nation’s current trajectory, also known as Kerajaan Madani, Lim said the six virtues—sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion—are highly respectable values that the youths can embody.
However, Lim believes that fairness and the rule of law are two aspects that could be added to the mix. Everyone must be treated equally and they deserve the right to education and freedom of speech.
“When we talk about fairness, it is also actually about how the government regards the people. The people should sit together with the government equally about policy making and nation building,” said Lim, adding that a bottom-top approach needs to be adopted, which is from the grassroots to the highest leaders.
On the other hand, the rule of law is vital to preserving the segregation of power. All government branches should be functioning professionally and efficiently, especially in the court of law where citizens must be treated with due procedure.
Lim added that Malaysia needs to comply with international standards with regard to this matter to ensure fairness is being observed. Where the subject of youths is being observed, employability will inexorably be brought into the discussion. Lim believes the employment market is becoming very competitive now that most people have university degrees.
The education system must be robust and able to cater to the industry. Lim urges the government to view this issue seriously, by ensuring the courses offered by the university are relevant.
“The government should set up a review board to review all the courses offered by universities are comprehensive, can ensure students are equipped with soft skills and able to expand our capacity and unleash our talents in the courses besides able to produce holistic, entrepreneurial and balanced graduates as per Shift 10 of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan,” he said.
Soft skills are another area that the youths can improve on, not just their prowess in the field of academics. Employees who improve themselves holistically are able to provide better contributions to employers.
Universities can aid in this matter by increasing industrial training through internships or organising visits and networking with industry players.
Towards the future, Lim hopes to work closely with the government to look into various current issues involving the youths like job opportunities, dignified wages, housing for youths, cost of living, upskilling and reskilling of youths, lifelong learning and youth empowerment.
