Youthphoria by Malaysiakini

The disabled community in Malaysia has been an overlooked community in Malaysia for a long time. Their plights often go unnoticed and they would have to help themselves due to a lack of support. However, even with all the struggles that they face, members of the community remain proud of themselves.

For this episode of Youthphoria, we spoke with Yeong Moh Foong of United Voice and Murugeswaran Veerasamy of Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia on ableism, the differences between disabilities, and what the public can do to help improve the rights of the disabled community.

Yeong Moh Foong is the current Lead Coordinator of United Voice, a Self-advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities. She is a senior Job Coach trainer under Job Coach Network Malaysia (a unit set up under Jabatan Pembangunan OKU, JKM Malaysia) and has conducted many trainings and TOT (Training of Trainers) for participants from Malaysia.

Whereas as a wheelchair user himself, Murugeswaran has been leading a rights-based advocacy movement that has brought positive changes in the landscapes of public transportation, aviation, universal designs and more to the OKU Community of Malaysia.

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Homelessness is a negative emotive word that conjures up images of people sleeping on the sidewalk, scavenging for food in trash cans, the drunk and dangerous. Aside from the negative images that came along with homelessness, there is a lack of understanding of who the homeless are and what they have been through that has led them to this life. 



Therefore, in this episode of Youthphoria, we spoke to Justin from Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) to understand the homeless community better and learn how we can make a positive difference in the community. 



Justin takes great pride in the work KSK is doing and is grateful to all sponsors, volunteers, supporters, and its wonderful committee and staff who form the legs that allow it to develop even further.



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Press freedom is a vital part of a democratic nation that ideally should be a right to the members of the press of said nation. With press freedom, the press has the right to fight for the truth, hold powers that be accountable while informing the public about the affairs of the country without fear of censorship or governmental interference. Unfortunately, as administrations change across time, the state of press freedom has coincidently been in constant and ceaseless flux. 

 

For this issue of Youthphoria, we had the pleasure of speaking with Basil Foo, our Subeditor from Malaysiakini who spoke to us about his journalistic inspirations and explained the importance of press freedom, the state of press freedom in our country and if there is any way to improve it.

 

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With the recent headlines of bicycle lajak and e-bicycles on the road, public perceptions of cycling have been scrutinized. Therefore for this edition of Youthphoria, we decided to get into the mind of a professional cyclist. We spoke with Mariana Mohammad, an avid cyclist on the path that led her to cycle, about the dangers of cycling as well as her perspective on the recent controversies that have plagued the cycling community.

 

Mariana Mohammad is a 43-year-old, mother of two, ex-National Duathlete and Cyclist who was the 2009 National Champion in cycling and represented Malaysia in the 2010 UCI World Cycling Championship in Geelong, Australia. She also placed 3rd on the Asian Female in Powerman Malaysia 2019. 

 

When on the road, as a motorist or a pedestrian, do remember to be extra vigilant as all it takes is one slight misjudgment for tragedy to occur.

 

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It was an honor to have YB Amira Aisya Abd Aziz join us in this episode to speak about youth participation in politics and what first-time voters should look out for. Tune in now to listen to the young and inspiring 27-year-old assemblywoman of Puteri Wangsa. 



Remember that your voice and your vote matter, vote the right people into power, and keep them accountable.



Youth’s active engagement can bring democracy to life.



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We are all hooked to the Internet one way or another. In the age of information, how can we leverage the fast-delivering social media platforms to improve lives and not harm others or ourselves? 



Dr. Lee Soon Li from Monash University talked about how the Internet has improved mental health awareness in society and how it could be detrimental to us. 



If you think you are using your gadgets too much, listen to your body and regulate the time spent with your gadgets. If you are or have been a victim of cyberbullying, we encourage you to reach out to authorities and seek professional help.  



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