YOUTH ENTERPRISE

The 'Youth Enterprise" programme was held on 20.6.2009 in Forestry Department Training Centre [Pusat Latihan Perhutanan], Jalan Lintang, Sungai Siput by Sungai Siput District Youth and Sports Department. 112 youth participated. 12 'orang asli' youth, 40 Indian youth and 2 Chinese youth. The remainder are Malay youth.

Effort has been made to promote this programme to the Chinese youth via local Chinese dailies, word of mouth and banners in strategic locations. I was told that 12 Chinese youth registered but only 2 turns up.

The purpose of this program is to promote the Skim Tabung Ekonomi Belia (STEB) - Youth Economic Fund Scheme. This scheme is created specially for the youth to assists them become entrepreneur. 30% cash and 70% for purchasing related stock and items. Successful applicants has to repay the amount given plus certain percentage as administration fees on an agreed period.

Officers from Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, Ipoh [Malaysia Company Commission], Bank Rakyat and AgroBank were invited. Banks are invited because they are the appointed agents to managed the fund on behalf of Youth and Sports Ministry.

I heard the participants groaning as the terms and conditions by the banks are beyond their effort. This scheme suppose to help them, not to burden them!

Nevertheless, the previous successful applicants should be blamed as they do not repaid the amount given; therefore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports appointed the banks to managed the fund. Bank has it procedures to ensure that the fund is available and manageable.

PERAK STATE YOUTH CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL

The Perak State government and Perak State Youth and Sports Department jointly organised the PERAK STATE YOUTH CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING today (28.5.2009) in Syuen Hotel, Ipoh.

The Menteri Besar of Perak state officiated the meeting; while the Perak State Executive Councillor in charge of youth and sports chaired the meeting. 10 government agencies relevant to youth were invited together with all the district consultative council chairmen in Perak. All the Perak State Youth council members and the chairman of the respective youth organisation were invited too.

I was appointed to the council since 2002. From my experience the standard and presentation were dropping from bad to worst. It seems that the department held the meeting for the sake of meeting.

Today only 2 papers were presented. Time for debate, discussion and clarification were limited. The sitting arrangement badly done. Notice to council members were issued late. Poor sound system.

I took part in the debate on the poor participation from the non-Malay youth to all youth programmes / activities organised by the youth and sports department or the district youth council. My perception on the query is simple as most of the Chinese youth are busy with their school / college activities. While working adult are tight-up with their respective job schedule and some with family commitment. Difference life-style between Malay and Chinese youth. Migration of rural youth to city due to further studies, job prospect and living.

Most of the 'penggerak Rakan Muda' are Malays and they do not approach the Chinese youth at the same time the Chinese youth and their leader are also not pro-active enough to approach the department officer. As they is no initiative by either side, there is no relationship.

I have play the role as the "bridge" between the youth and sports department with the Chinese youth since the day I was elected to Perak State Youth Council in 1996. I work within my limits. Most of the Chinese youth and their leaders are working within the Chinese community only. That's the main reason why programme organised and dominance by the Chinese; the respond are tremendous while programmes organised by the Malay do not receive respond from the Chinese youth.

The most critical factor is the poor command of Bahasa Malaysia by the Chinese youth. This is the main factor that distract them from joining the programme / activities where Malays are dominance. Difficulties in communication and interaction between Malays and Chinese.

Personally, I feel that one of the party [the youth and sports department officers, 'penggerak Rakan Muda' and the Chinese youth] should initiate the first step; if not the issues prolong. I will continue to play the "bridge" role till I am not wanted by the youth!

YOUTH WITHOUT ORGANIZATION

Group photo

Sungai Siput Youth and Sports Department has organized a youth camp for those youth whom they have not registered with any youth association yet or those who want to set-up new youth club. This camp was held in Pangkor Island on 22 - 24 May 2009. 40 youths from Sungai Siput participated consist of 10 'orang asli', 10 Indians and 20 Malays.

Officers' duties and functions are ..........

Multi-racial participants!

Group presentations - orang asli, malay and women

The participants were explained why they should participate in youth activities through various youth clubs. 4 new clubs were formed. They are guided step-by-step on setting up new club. I was invited to give a talk on the club's officers duties and functions.

Group discussion. Facilitators guiding the 'orang asli'

Relaxing games for all ......

This camp is important as the participants were exposed on how to set-up club, conduct meeting, filing annual returns, financial management and the functions of the committee.

Closing speech by En. Amer Izzuddin, the officer

Presenting certificates to participants & receiving gift from the organiser

The VIPs

PERAK YOUTH FRIENDSHIP TOUR - KUNMING, YUNNAN

Perak State Youth Council has decided to visit either Cheingmai, Thailand or Kunming, China. I was appointed the coordinator and organizer for the tour during the Perak State Youth Council EXCO meeting recently. My immediate action is e-mail to the Malaysia Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand and Malaysia Consulate General in Kunming.

I received immediate respond from the Malaysia Embassy in Bangkok. The Second Secretary of the Embassy would assist us, however, they have no contact with youth organizations in Cheingmai. I try to liaise with youth organizations in Cheingmai and Bangkok. The respond are good. A few youth clubs in Cheingmai responded. The Cheingmai Youth Hostel agreed to assist us in transportation and lodging. Few youth organizations has no problem to accept us but they could not arrange other activities with other youth organizations.

The respond from Malaysia Consulate General office came a few weeks later. This may due to the official visit by the Prime Minister of Malaysia to Beijing during this period. The Consulate General office agreed to made arrangement on our behalf with the youth organizations in Kunming, Yunnan.

I am very much appreciate the commitment and generosity of the Consulate General, Tuan Roseli Abdul.

The Yunnan Youth Federation and Kunming Youth Union agreed to accept us as their guest.

LEADERSHIP CONCEPT

Group photo

I was invited to share my experience with the youth leaders recently. This is a leadership camp organised by Sungai Siput Youth and Sports Department. It was held in Chalet Sri Tasek, Pangkalan Hulu on 17 - 19 April, 2009. 43 youth leaders from Sungai Siput participated. It is part of the Youth and Sports Ministry programme to train more youth leaders.

This is my 10th experience sharing with the youth in Perak state. I am glad that I was given the chance to share my experience with them. I was given a chance to talk on LEADERSHIP CONCEPT.

My list of records are: 2001 in Batu Gajah - Youth Volunteers' Camp [VOLUNTEERISM], 2002 in Sg. Siput - Sungai Siput Youth Leaders Workshop [ENCOURAGE YOUTH IN ASSOCIATIONS], 2003 in Pulau Pangkor - Perak State Youth Leadership Workshop [FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT], 2004 in Pulau Langkawi - District Youth Leadership Workshop [YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAYSIA], 2006 in Pulau Pangkor - District Youth Leadership Work Camp [MANAGING YOUTH ORGANISATIONS], 2007 in Sungai Siput - Program Jati Diri Kesukarelaan Nasional [MANAGING VOLUNTEERS], 2008 in Akademi Kepimpinan Belia Negara, Sri Iskandar - Program Jati Diri Kesukarelaan Nasional [MANAGING VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS] and [YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM].

I have presented 5 talks on MALAYSIA YOUTH MOVEMENTS in National Service Camp in 2004(UiTM Sri Iskandar, Perak - 2 series) and 2005 (Kem Terkuk, Sg. Siput - 3 series).

I am honoured to close the camp by virtue of my position as Sungai Siput Youth Council Deputy Chairman.

Closing speech

Presenting certificates to participants and accepting gift from the organizer.

MEETING THE NEW JHEOA OFFICER

I arrived at the Kompleks Transit & Pentadbiran Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli Daerah at 2:25 pm on 23 Mac, 2009. Nasiri, Batin Kampung Pisang has arranged the meeting with Puan Norizan the new JHEOA officer at 3:00 pm. I have close rapport with the JHEOA officers, previously En. Badrul who has transferred to Kuantan, Pahang and now Pn. Norizan. I have met Pn. Norizan before.

As usual, Puan Norizan is friendly. We chat about previous programmes, suddenly my old pal dropped in to see his boss. He is En. Zakaria whom I met 8 years ago in Kampung Lawai while organising a youth integration programme. Three of us continue to chat about the old days! Then, we started the main purposes why I am there! I have discussed with a few Batin to have some projects that can upgrade their living standard and social economy status. The young Batins are aggressive and pro-active. Hopefully these projects can eradicate their poverty.

I suggested to Pn Norizan that the 'orang asli' should be sent for fishery training especially those staying at the riverside where the water resources available. Nasiri supported my idea and he asked Pn. Norizan to help them. Pn. Norizan agreed. En. Zakaria gave some positive opinions. JHEOA is concern on the sustainability of such project. I told Nasiri that it is the role that a Batin should plays to motivate and counsel their people. Do not always wait for assistance from the government! Nasiri promised he will do his best.

Other matters arise are the agar wood planting and train 'orang asli' youth as guide.

En. Zakaria agreed that agar wood has potential as it fetch high price. The planting of agar wood has become an industry which has started in Gopeng recently. Pn. Norizan will look into it with the Forestry Department. I will seek help from the Primary Industries Ministry for further assistance.

Pn. Norizan said that the training for outdoor guide are not available at this moment as it incurred some cost which JHEOA has not decided yet. Azri, a young 'orang asli' said he has contacted the State Tourism Action Council (MTPN) where there are allocation to promote and develop tourist destination. He will seek further clarification from MTPN if there is outdoor guide training programme. I was told that there are many undergraduates scaling Gunung Yong Yap and Gunung Korbu during semester holiday. These 'orang asli' can be their guide to earn extra income as they known the area well.

Well in my heart, I will try to bring in some foreign climbers via National Camping Association of Malaysia [NCAM] and Malaysia Youth Council which they have worldwide contacts on outdoor lovers. Perak Campers, registered recently can play its role to promote Jalong Tinggi as an outdoor haven.

The meeting ended at about 4:20 pm.

XPDC SUNGAI SIPUT

Sungai Siput Youth and Sports Department has organised the XPDC Sungai Siput on Saturday, 21.3.2009. More than 130 youths taking part. Sungai Siput police personnel and Kelab Sukan Komuniti Jalong members also take part in this programme. The message carry out to the public through this programme is "Free The Youth From Criminal" [Generasi Belia Bebas Jenayah].

The expedition started from the Sungai Siput Community Sports Complex at about 8:30 a.m. going through the main road towards Jalan Dato' See Khoon Lim to Jalan Jalong then Jalan Lintang towards FELDA Lasah. Stopover in FELDA Lasah continue back to community sports complex via Sungai Siput Hospital and main road. The estimated distance is about 50 km.

I was honoured to flag off the participants with Chief Inspector Ribuan. This is the 1st series of the expedition.

I am taking part too!