9 July 2020

Press statement by MCA National Youth Chairperson Nicole Wong Siaw Ting

Engage youth in the nation's recovery & accelerate the implementation of Undi18 & election measures

The government should formulate a short-, medium- and long-term development roadmaps for Malaysian youths so that young adults can participate directly in the entire recovery process of the nation post-Covid-19 pandemic. It will enable them to learn to cope with the economic downturn and embrace the current political situation as the best experience to lead the country in the future.

For the short-term, there should be assistance or courses which young adults can undertake in the next six months to improve their abilities in all aspects. For medium-term: roles for young adults in the country after one year, and long-term: positing young adults in the economy or politics 3 to 5 years later when the national economy takes off again.

Presently, the government's primary goal should be to expedite the implementation of the Constitutional amendment to effect youths aged 18-years and above with the right to vote and contest in any elections.

Youths should understand and participate in politics as soon as possible, and contribute towards the country's recovery, whether in politics or the economy, as youths must make decisions for their future.

Once the contagion has stabilised, it is an opportune time to start a business, since many companies would have retrenched their staff and reduced their workforce owing to poor market conditions. Young adults can take advantage of this time to start their businesses, harness their creativity, and develop their potential.

Therefore, young adults should be empowered to venture into entrepreneurship. The government could aid in this effort by ensuring that access to government-initiated financing or loans from private financial institutions are straightforward and quick.

Furthermore, participation in politics will also enable youths to hone their leadership skills and even lead the country on the road to recovery.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has stressed that the development of the younger generation in all aspects, including in the area of human capital is a priority. The government views youths as the generation that could ensure continuity in the country's development and thus should be involved in the policy development process.

I am confident that with the development of social media and the flow of information without borders, young adults have enough maturity and insight to go their way and choose their future model; eventually to lead others to steer their path forward to the future.

Nicole Wong Siaw Ting

MCA National Youth Chairperson

-MCA Online-