The Penang state government, in collaboration with two NGOs, is organising a mock parliamentary debate on Dec 17 as part of its Local Democracy Week celebration.

State executive councillor for local government Chow Kon Yeow said based on the success of the first Youth Parliament debate last year, it is repeating the event to encourage young people to speak up.

NONE Chow ( left ), who is Tanjung MP, said that the event would prompt the younger generation to “think creatively” about how to make Penang a better place.

“The debate will allow youths the experience of presenting their ideas in a parliamentary fashion and is a symbolic call for young Malaysias and Penangites to proactively participate in the local democratic process,” said Chow in Penang today.

“We hope that the youths of Malaysia can show us - senior lawmakers in particular - their aspirations for a better Penang as well as their suggestions for ways, steps and mechanisms through which their dreams can be realised,” he added.

Deadline for application: Dec 13

The event is also organised by Suaram (Penang branch) and the Campus Ministry of Penang, and the two NGOs have been working closely with youths on the issues of democracy, human rights and human development.

Applications are open to all Malaysians below the age of 25 years, and youths will debate in Bahasa Malaysia on the topic of ‘How local councils can make Penang a better place for all’.

Potential candidates are to send their appliations by email to youthhparliament.penang@gmail.com , while the deadline for submission is Dec 13.

The state government will announce the selected 30 youths on Thursday, Dec 15, two days before the event which will be held from 8.30am to 1pm at the Chamber of the City Hall building.

Chow, the Penang DAP chief, was accompanied by state legislative assembly speaker Abdul Halim Hussein, who will present a 30-minute speech on the role of youths in strengthening local democracy.

Speaker: Topic of debate ‘interesting’

During the press conference today, Abdul Halim said if the organisers can manage the event effectively, the next debate may be held in the state legislative assembly building.

He added that this year’s topic was “very interesting” as the public and the state government can hear the voices of youths on what they expect out of the local councils - the Penang Muncipal Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council.

On whether the motions proposed in the Youth Parliament session held last year had been addressed, Abdul Halim said he will update the public about the matter on the day of the event (Dec 17).

penang assembly roof collapse 010510 speaker abdul halim “I will check to see if we have resolved any of the motion that had been raised by the youths last year,” said Abdul Halim ( right ), who is also state PKR vice-chief.

On the walkout by some youths during the debate last year, Abdul Halim said this was only natural as it also occurred in the August House.

“We cannot keep them from walking out even in the real Parliament session,” he added.

But due to lack of time, the youths would only be allowed to debate about five to seven minutes on their motions, said Abdul Halim.

“The quality of the debate last year was good. Yes, local elections can be one of the topics this year,” he added.