By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, May 6 — Young parliamentarians must be exposed to the country's governance system, including policy-making processes, to form a future generation of young leaders.
The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly's President Tan Sri Johari Abdul said such exposure would also help foster long-term democracy.
“Youths need to be introduced early to the decision-making process to understand how the system works and how they can shape it.
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Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly's (AIPA) President cum Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul speaks during the second AIPA Young Parliamentarians Consultation Meeting at the Wyndham Acmar Hotel in Klang on May 6, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“Political literacy and civic education must become the cornerstone of youth policy in Asean. We should not only teach young people how to vote, but also how to lead, debate, and build consensus,” he said.
Johari was speaking at the second AIPA Young Parliamentarians Consultation Meeting today, which began yesterday and runs until Thursday (May 8), which was also attended by the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San.
Themed 'Ensuring Asean’s Future: Youth in Action for Sustainability and Inclusivity', the meeting gathered youth parliamentarian delegates from across the region.
Johari, who is also the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, encouraged youth to be prepared for today’s digital transformation, from artificial intelligence to green technologies.
“Young people must not be left behind in the digital revolution, especially in driving economic empowerment, which now prioritises youth entrepreneurship,” he said.
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Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly's (AIPA) President cum Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul (seated, centre left) with attendees of the second AIPA Young Parliamentarians Consultation Meeting at the Wyndham Acmar Hotel in Klang on May 6, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
