Youth voices amplified through parliamentary-styled sessions

The inaugural Sidang Anak Muda K2K, organized by Persatuan Belia Seri Cempaka under the Kita-Untuk-Kita (K2K) Programme by Think City, marked a significant step towards empowering young leaders from the public housing community. The event, held on 11 May 2024 at the Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia, Cyberjaya, brought together selected youths from ten PPR communities across the Klang Valley.

As part of a National Budget initiative, the K2K Programme by Think City aims to provide a platform for young people to develop leadership skills, engage in critical thinking, and participate actively in community development. The Sidang Anak Muda K2K serves as a Parliamentary-styled session where youths can debate, discuss, and propose solutions to various community issues.

Dr. Shahridan Faiez, Director of the K2K Programme, highlighted the transformative potential of investing in youth development. “The young generation from the public housing society would be the catalyst for transformation of public housing society. Investing in youth development is an investment for a brighter future,” said Dr. Shahridan. He added, “By giving our youths the opportunity to highlight their skills, confidence and become active participants in leadership, we empower them to go through positive change and create a brighter future, not only for themselves but also for the community and the country.”

Empowering youth leadership

The Sidang Anak Muda K2K initiative is designed to produce quality young leaders aligned with the country’s needs. During the session, participants were trained to engage in debates and discussions on critical issues, simulating the environment of Parliamentary proceedings. Out of 20 proposed motions, eight were selected for debate. These included pressing topics such as education dropout rates, sexual harassment, the establishment of one-stop counseling centers, youth economic empowerment initiatives, enhancing mental health literacy in PPR communities, developing modern PPR plans, and creating financial management mechanisms to prevent youth bankruptcy.

These debates not only honed the participants’ leadership and problem-solving skills but also boosted their self-confidence and active involvement in community matters. The motions debated over the two-day session will be collated and proposed to the Government for consideration by relevant Ministries and potentially included in Budget 2025.

Programme drives public housing transformation

The programme saw participation from youths representing ten public housing communities: PA Seri Selangor, PA Seri Sarawak, PA Hang Tuah, PPR Seri Cempaka, PA Seri Kota, PPR Taman Mulia, PA Seri Sabah 3A, PPR Desa Tun Razak, PPR Kampung Baru HICOM, and PPR Lembah Subang 1. These communities form the backbone of the K2K initiative, supported by the Ministry of Finance through the National Budget, aimed at enhancing the quality of life and livability in public housing.

By empowering public housing residents, particularly the youth, the K2K programme is fostering a new generation of community leaders and driving the momentum of public housing transformation. This initiative contributes to the vision of forming a Malaysia Madani society, where every individual can thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress.

The successful execution of Sidang Anak Muda K2K demonstrates the potential of such programmes to create meaningful change within communities, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and empowered society.