Reviewing MSLS

An article written by a good friend on 'Projek Kalsom 13 Perlis' was published in The Star a few days back. Click here to read it.

I think I must've written somewhere on MSLS in my previous post. To those who did not have a chance to be part of the event, I'd say the programme was a good one for idealists (university students alike), generally speaking. Not to mention that there're always room for improvement.

I'm just going to copy-&-paste (thanks to Izwan Ismail for the content) the resolution made by the participants of MSLS 2007.

Here goes....

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Theme: Remembering 50 Years Independence
Malaysian Students Leadership Development Initiative

The MSLS Declaration
5th August 2007
Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur

Kumpulan Tunku Abdul Rahman

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to Democracy and Transparency in Malaysia, in line with the fact that Tunku Abdul Rahman as the founding father of the nation had to deal with these issues.

The group believes in democracy in line with the principles of Separation of Powers and the Rule of Law, therefore believing:

1. In an independent and impartial Judiciary; where the appointment process of the Chief Justice of Malaysia includes a time frame for valid objections to surface.
2. In a free press; where, inter alia, the decision of the Minister in matters pertaining to the issuance and renewal of media licenses are subject to judicial review.
3. that Parliament’s first duty is to the people; where a Parliamentarian votes according to his or her conscience, taking into account the sentiments of his or her constituents.
4. In the freedom of speech; where inter alia, preventive detention laws are not used arbitrarily for political ends.
5. In absolute free and fair elections; thus we commend the Elections Commission in its move to increase transparency and public confidence in the electoral process, especially in the usage of indelible ink.

Kumpulan Tun Abdul Razak

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to Education in Malaysia, in line with the fact that Tun Abdul Razak came up with the Penyata Razak which was a foundation to the Education system in Malaysia.

The group believes in the 5 Guiding Principles:

A. EMPOWERMENT
-Lifelong learning @ learning culture.
-Educators, parents and students.
-Recognizing that every individual is different.

B. DEPOLITICISATION OF EDUCATION
-Subjects at primary and secondary level.
-Administration
-Promotion: Scrap PTK!

C. FUNDING AND TREATMENT
-Equality for all institutions.
-Urban/rural divide.
-Public/private.

D. AUTONOMY
-Community involvement (Parents & teachers).
-Academic freedom for ALL!
-Interdisciplinary studies.
-Different means to the same standard.

E. SYLLABUS AND RESEARCH
-Thinking rather than memorization.
-Researching culture!
-Long term benefits instead of immediate returns..

Kumpulan Tun Hussein Onn

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to Unity in Diversity in Malaysia, in line with the fact that Tun Hussein Onn was well known as Bapa Perpaduan Malaysia.

The group:

1. recognizes that national economic policies, it’s implementations and continuity should focus on the eradication of poverty instead of awarding unneeded privileges to any racial communities
2. recognizes that there should be national schools which truly cater for the need of different racial communities ;
- In particular the teaching of cultural history in schools
3. rejects any form of ethno-religious politics that creates discontent between racial communities;
- In particular on the part of the politicians and the media
4. recognizes that the Malaysian identity should be based upon embracing diversity
5. recognizes the need to encourage meritocracy, transparency, accountability and general equality to reduce disparity amongst racial communities;
- In particular the implementation of the duty to give reasons for public decisions

Kumpulan Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the Corporate sector in Malaysia, in line with the fact that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed was well known as Bapa Pemodenan Malaysia.

The group separates the issue into:

A. PROBLEMS:
1. Corruption
2. Corporate social responsibility
3. Hardcore poor
4. Benchmarking of competition

B. RESOLUTIONS:
1. 3 legged-model
• self discipline
• market discipline
• regulatory discipline
2. Lower taxes for those who practise corporate social responsibility
3. To support the GLC model and we support that the Government provides essential services under the Government.
4. Implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) must improve.
5. Encourage research & development through fiscal benefits and attracting better human resources as well as increasing marketing standards.

Kumpulan Dr Ismail

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the National Economic Policy.

The group:

1. Acknowledges the successes of the NEP in enlarging the middle class and reducing racial tensions.
2. Emphasizes the need to implement the original tenet of the NEP ;
- ie Poverty eradication regardless of race as well as increasing efforts to reduce income inequality
3. Agrees that to be against any attempt to exploit the NEP to enrich the few or to gain political capital, it proposes an independent watch dog to police these concerns
4. Believes there should be efforts to gauge public opinion of the NEP
5. Suggests promoting awareness as well as rational and tolerant discussion of the NEP and it’s effects on all stakeholders
6. Believes any prospective reform/non-reform should be based on points 4 and 5

Kumpulan Ghafar Baba

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the Media control in Malaysia.

The group discussed on:

1. Exposure: Usage of media to promote
2. Quality of content
3. Disallow political parties to have ownership – “Direct/indirect”
4. Reorganization to ensure more transparency to maintain a balanced/tolerating exposure to public
5. Regulatory body consisting of government, media and public; for better sense of censorship

Kumpulan V Sambanthan

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the Environment issues in Malaysia.

The group believes:

1. That Humanity and the environment interact through technology and it is our responsibilty to use efficient technology to ensure sustainable development.
- Technology here is defined as the means to all human ends. This is not restricted to scientific/electronic devices, but also organizations, corporations, legislations and economic structure
2. To improve technology by importing existing technology, inventing new technology, and implementing new technologies effectively.
3. To improve ourselves via education and empowerment
4. In creating awareness, using the following avenues :
- Education, incorporating environmental awareness since young
- School campaigns involving students and public
- Mass media, through the innovative of reality tv and media campaigns
5. In highly recommending the government in encouraging careers in environmental management through a systematic performance oriented system of incentives.
6. In condemning any lax enforcement of environmental governance and hope that the government will attract the right people in the sector who are passionate and responsible.
7. In imploring all Malaysians through their sense of morality to be vigilant against pollution and champion environmental injustices.
8. To appeal to all Malaysians whether students, regular citizens, corporate leaders or political leaders to encourage the fellow humans in all arena whether work, home or academia to adhere to these standards and further spread the words for a better Malaysia and the world

Kumpulan Cheng Lock

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the Foreign Policy in Malaysia.

The group believes:

1. To be firm in foreign policies by having more assertive leaders who execute the nation stand, preserving neutrality and the integrity of the federal constitution
2. To participate pro actively in various international organizations and alliances as well as to sign and ratify international accords which produce win-win synergy.
3. Boosting Malaysia’s economic growth through exchange foreign expertise while collaborating in the field of science and technology
4. Establishment of Malaysia as an education hub through mutual exchange of culture and knowledge whilst strengthening foreign ties
5. To address environmental issues more openly and to undertake pro active approach in the exchange of research findings dedicated to environmental conservations

Kumpulan Siew Sin

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the Malaysian Economy.

The group believes:

1. in revamping the education system to produce a dynamic workforce which can adapt easily to face the demands of an ever-changing world economy
2. in diversifying the economy by intensifying R&D through sharing expertise bilaterally, regionally and internationally to kick start/improve identified areas of growth
3. in setting up proper conditional protectionism guidelines to ensure that infant industries thrive and are able to eventually compete globally
4. that economic development must benefit everyone.
5. to eradicate corruption and promote good governance
6. in ensuring sustainable development in order
7. in improving and promoting financial and economic literacy (ie reaching out to the ordinary citizen)

Kumpulan Temenggung Jugah

This group concentrated on discussing issues related to the Human Rights issues in Malaysia.

The group calls upon:

- the Government to stop misusing Acts of Parliament passed for the specific purpose of combating communism/terrorism against citizens who are exercising their lawful rights of freedom of opinion, speech, and expression;
- Malaysia to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ratify it with an Act of Parliament, hence empowering the Courts; and
- the provision for judicial review against all arbitrary decisions by the Government violating human rights.

The group proposes:

- for the incorporation of human rights and civil liberties in the national education curriculum; and
- for the mass media to take up the watchdog role against violations of human rights and to educate the public about these rights.