Respect children’s rights to express themselves, all quarters told
A Penang PKR leader has reminded all quarters to respect children's rights to express themselves and to participate in public assemblies.
Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon said his party was very concerned about the call by Penang Island City Councillor (MBPP) Vino Dini Chandragason for authorities to take action against a climate crisis protest...
A Penang PKR leader has reminded all quarters to respect children's rights to express themselves and to participate in public assemblies.
Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon said his party was very concerned about the call by Penang Island City Councillor (MBPP) Vino Dini Chandragason for authorities to take action against a climate crisis protest.
"The role and capability of children in their effort to protect the environment, and to express their concerns over the ever-growing crisis of climate change, should be taken seriously by everyone," he told Malaysiakini.
Lee was referring to Vino's speech during an MBPP meeting last Friday, where she slammed the participation of schoolchildren in a climate crisis protest at the Ramadan Bazaar in Bayan Baru on May 25.
Vino (photo) called on the police and Education Department to investigate the presence of the 11 children from SJK Tamil Sungai Ara who joined the protest, which was organised by Klimate Utara Action Malaysia (Kaum) and Klima Action Malaysia (Kamy).
During the protest, the NGO and the children carried placards on the climate crisis, and asked that the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) be halted as well.
Kaum and Kamy are part of the 45 NGOs that signed a petition to urge Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to cancel the 1,821ha Penang South Reclamation project, which includes the creation of three artificial islands.
The reclamation and development of the three islands is slated to fund the massive PTMP.
As Lee noted, however, children are the future of the country and the world.
"Their voices and concerns must be respected in order to guarantee the well-being of all," he said.
Lee also echoed Kaum reminding yesterday that hundreds of thousands of children gathered in other countries around the world on May 24 and 25 against the climate crisis.
The gathering was part of the Global Climate Strike, a movement initiated by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg.
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