Youth parliament, the evolution of politics in Malaysia

Our favorite reality drama this season promises more slander and empty promises as we approach the imminent general election.

But whilst mainstream politicians are busy proposing clickbait, logically enviable ideas—i.e. covering the deficit of GST by looking into government leakages—youth parliamentarians seem more in tune with reality. Last week, the national youth parliament talked about sex.

They unanimously passed their bill to further enhance the Reproduction and Social Health Syllabus (PEERS).

“Here in Malaysia, we tend to avoid the topic of sex. Whilst sexual education is now being covered under the syllabus of PEERS, we need to also address the way this discussion is being held at homes. The challenge of educating students (about sexual education) needs to be undertaken by many parties. Exposure alone is not enough, our mentality towards the issue needs to change,” said Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, Selangor youth parliamentarian and the motion’s proposer.

Certainly, Malaysia is all too familiar with the call for greater sex education. News of baby dumping in trash bins or of cases where a newborn baby is killed are common.

Officially, 104 newborn babies were dumped last year, 61 were found dead. The unofficial number is higher. But sexual education addresses more than just “where a baby comes from.” Ideally, the topic should also teach kids about sex crimes, unwanted touch, sexual abuse, consent.

As of 2016, child sexual offense cases remained at a high of five cases per day.

The topic of sex has become such a taboo that it is now regular for the police to receive cases where mothers turned a deaf ear to their children who are sexually abused by the father. Mothers in such cases are unaware as to what they should do, fearful and uncertain as to who they should contact for help.

Strong families are the spine of any society. And the youth parliament seems adamant that both the family and education systems are comfortable with the topic of sex.

“Dumping cases from underage pregnancies and the rate of teenage pregnancies will increase if we just talk and argue. We must act and do something further,” asserted Siti Bainun, firm and vocal in the parliament hall.

Head of the Economy and Social committee and representing Kelantan, Ikmal Hazlan praised the level of maturity demonstrated by his colleagues when debating the sexual education motion.

“The main debate was about the perimeters of the module, how often to have the module, and what kind of safety we can afford children who are assaulted. Of course this is a continuous streamlining of the modules so we'll keep in touch with the Ministry of Education,” said Ikmal.

Youth parliamentarians bring forward a more dynamic approach to problem solving, one that recognizes the root issue at hand. It’s a new politics, a silent and gradual evolution.

Last year, when Malaysia was gripped by cases of Johor teenagers riding bikes on dangerous highways at 3am, some lawmakers proposed taking away the bikes. Others argued that punishments on parents who failed to look after their children should be increased.

Alarmingly, these solutions were inconsiderate of the fact that the teenage troublemakers came from low income families, homes where parents work until late night to provide for their children.

The solutions proposed were bandages to an unstitched wound.

Refreshingly, what these youth parliamentarians bring to the table is a greater sense of empathy, a deeper understanding that any issue has two sides of the story, be it sexual abuse or even drug abuse. And ignoring one side of the argument may have long term consequences.

“We use our flexibility to approach NGOs, NGIs, state governments, agencies and political organizations to collect necessary inputs and feedback to form our motions in the youth parliament,” said Aidi Affendi, representing Selangor.

For Aidi, the strength of youth parliamentarians is their ability to speak freely, unhooked to any political agenda. As Aidi asserted, “this is one of the best platforms for the government to take our opinions into consideration.”

Perhaps, that is the greater part of this movement, the fact that these young capable leaders chose to engage and coordinate with the government rather than take to the streets like opposition linked Bersih

Some of them may have previously worked with such organisations, frustrated by the lack of solid results.

The proposals by these youth parliamentarians may not even be accepted by the government. Youth parliamentarians won't become overnight Twitter celebrities for speaking the sensational. But maybe self fame would distract them from their genuine purpose.

They stand for the idea that disagreeing with the government doesn’t necessarily mean having to join the opposition.

The fact that more youths are open to working with the government they wish to see improvements in is testament to a maturing young polity, invulnerable to emotion-based politics promoted by their senior counterparts.