By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, May 27 — Selangor has set a benchmark for other states in organising a youth assembly, said State Legislative Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San.
Expressing delight at seeing the Selangor Youth Assembly improve and mature over the past 10 years, he said the state is also willing to share its experience with those interested in learning.
Lau said the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s Office has expressed interest in implementing a similar programme in Parliament.
"We are proud because the way we have carried out the programme has set a benchmark for assemblymen in other state assemblies," he said during a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly building today.
The two-day sitting, beginning today, will see 56 youth participants representing their respective state constituencies and debating current issues in the state assembly.
They were selected from a list of applicants comprising youth in Selangor who are Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 35 and who vote in their constituencies, regardless of political affiliations.
Lau said this is to ensure fairness so there are no accusations of bias in selecting the participants, and he looks forward to a quality debate session.
Participants will debate important current issues affecting the public, like housing, business licensing, and employment.
“The aim of this programme is to show that the Selangor State Legislative Assembly is inclusive and people-centric, not exclusive and serves only those with status and social power.
“We do not want the public to feel intimidated about entering the state assembly. We want to bring them closer. Instead of waiting for them to come to our House, we reach out to them,” he said.
Selangor Deputy Speaker Kamri Kamaruddin, Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, and Selangor Youth Council president Datuk Imran Tamrin were also present.
The Selangor Youth Assembly was first organised by former state speaker Hannah Yeoh and was later overseen by her successor Dato’ Ng Suee Lim during his tenure.
This time, Lau will chair the State Youth Assembly, which will guide youths in debating and passing state legislation.
Lau previously said the programme this year is different as motions debated and passed in the Selangor Youth Assembly have the potential to be pushed forward as motions in the State Legislative Assembly and debated by the elected representatives.
This is the first time the Selangor Youth Assembly will be physically held at the State Legislative Assembly building since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
