DPM to youths: Culture of fear is over, speak your minds

BANGI: The "culture of fear" is over and youth leaders are free to speak up and keep the government in check, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pic).

She said that young people now have the freedom to criticise and give constructive ideas to the government as long as this is done in a manner that is respectful to religion and Malaysian values.

"In the New Malaysia, the role and voice of youth leaders, especially the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) is crucial in ensuring the success of the government's reform agenda.

"Young people also have the role to become pressure groups as well as to provide check and balance for every policy and decisions affecting the youth and other citizens," she said in her speech while launching the 70th anniversary of the MYC at the Bangi Avenue Convention Centre here on Monday (July 23).

.The MYC was established on July 23, 1948, and is an NGO that functions as the main body in coordinating registered youth and student groups in Malaysia.

Dr Wan Azizah also urged youth groups to ramp up the number of women leaders in their respective organisations.

She said the New Malaysia wants to see at least 30% of women representation in leadership positions in youth groups.

"Under the MYC work committee for the session 2016/2018, there were only three women in leadership positions out of 28 people, or just 11%.

"This is too far behind from our target of having 30% of women leaders in groups," she said.

At the same time, Dr Wan Azizah said, merit and leadership quality are also important deciding factors in choosing leaders. -Star