MELAKA, July 27 (Bernama) — The working paper on establishing the Melaka Youth Legislative Assembly is still at the fine-tuning stage and expected to be brought to the State Executive Council meeting in seeking an allocation and approval this August.
State executive councillor for Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations, V.P. Shanmugam said the setting up of this assembly was a comprehensive plan to produce wholesome youths from the spiritual, physical, intellectual, knowledge and cultural aspects, and who would be self-reliant and with a spirit of voluntarism based on the Rukun Negara.
“The Melaka Youth Legislative Assembly will apply the Malaysia Youth Parliament practices combined with the best features of the other Youth Legislative Assemblies in the states that have established these assemblies,” he said at the Melaka State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, today.
He was responding to Datuk Khaidhirah Abu Zahar (BN-Rim) who wanted to know the latest status of the Melaka Youth Legislative Assembly.
To an additional question from Khaidhirah on the selection process until its implementation, Shanmugam said the planning for this assembly was made in the second week of March this year.
He said it started with forming a pre-council and then the Melaka Youth Legislative Assembly Main Committee for nomination and selection, then the coordination meeting with the main committee.
“The main committee coordination workshop will also be held before the nomination process, campaign and the election.
“We have two selection methods….voting or interviews. Voting means we will set up a special website for youths to register themselves.
“If through interviews, the list of the eligible youth candidates and chosen by the youth associations will be given to the main committee to be shortlisted before being interviewed.
“A special workshop on the Melaka Youth Legislative Assembly will be held to ensure a smooth process of the youth assembly sitting,” he said.
To an additional question from Fairul Nizam Roslan (BN-Asahan) on the criteria for the candidates, Shanmugam said ..they must be 18 to 35 years old, must be a member of an active youth association and had the support of youths in their respective constituencies.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency