Kuala Lumpur, 12 September 2011 — UndiMsia! urges young Malaysians to participate in nation building within their own communities. A movement targeting youths aged between 18 to 35, UndiMsia! aims to provide tools and workable solutions to problems that matter to young Malaysians. The movement is looking to build, mobilise, organise and support young Malaysians to take impactful action with tangible results in their own communities.
“We want to work with the youth of Malaysia and empower them to take ownership on issues they feel strongly about. We believe the best way to address these issues is through greater participation in their respective communities and via engagement with elected representatives. UndiMsia! hopes to assist young Malaysians to ask the right questions and make informed choices when they vote,” said Zain HD, spokesperson of UndiMsia!.
The movement will host its first formal public appearance at a fund-raising event at Leonardo’s on Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, in conjunction with the Malaysiaku Street Festival on 16 September 2011. Themed “Imagining a Tastier Democracy”, the event will see a mock elections and performances by celebrities.
“UndiMsia! is a voter education initiative but it is not just about the vote. UndiMsia! emphasises citizen empowerment prior to and after the vote. We are an education movement aimed at promoting and enhancing greater participation by young Malaysians in our country’s democratic process,” he added.
Zain said UndiMsia! will focus on three key areas in the next one year — socio-economic rights, civil and political rights, as well as the Budget. Under socio-economic rights, the movement will focus on food and housing, and in civil and political rights they will address the issue of freedom of expression. Following the announcement of the Budget later this year, UndiMsia! will analyse and discuss the allocations for education and how it will affect Malaysia’s youths.
“We are fiercely non-partisan, interested only in citizen education. The UndiMsia! community is already about 500 members strong and from diverse backgrounds. We look forward to collaborate with any individual or organisation that supports our vision and principles,” he said.
UndiMsia! hopes to run projects and build alliances with youths nationwide. Those interested to join the movement can meet with UndiMsia! organisers/campaigners every Saturday from 11am to 12pm at PusatRakyatLB, 3-4, Jalan Bangsar Utama 3, Bangsar or contact them at the following :
The Pusat Rakyat LoyarBurok (PRLB) is a community centre run by the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR). PRLB is open to Homo Sapiens (or higher i.e. Homo Superior like the X-Men), all species of simian and civil society organisations who wish to use the space for meetings, activities or events that support, promote or enhance the mission and spirit of MCCHR. MCCHR’s mission is to promote and protect human rights in Malaysia in accordance with established international rights principles, treaties and law by maximising the use of all appropriate tools through integrated and community-based approach. We also like to party and do other fun stuff. Serious. PRLB’s main purpose is to provide a conducive and safe space for youth (don’t worry, old flers are also welcome-lah) to engage constructively, discuss and educate themselves (and others) about civil, political, economic, social and cultural issues. It also seeks to provide a platform for other beneficial rakyat-orientated activities such as parties and other fun stuff. I know we sound stuffy here, but we are serious about the fun stuff.
Posted on 20 September 2011. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Read more articles posted by Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism & Human Rights (MCCHR).
Read this first: LB Terms of Use
Loading ...