KUALA LUMPUR: The 2050 National Transformation (TN50) Townhall session tonight saw youths sharing their aspirations and pitching ideas to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Malaysia’s future.
The dialogue, which was moderated by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, took place at Universiti Malaya and saw the participation of 500 youth representatives.
Co-founder of Biji-biji Initiative, Rashvin Pal Singh, 29, shared his hopes of making Malaysia a carbon-neutral country by 2050.
To achieve this, he proposed a minimum quota for tropical forest reserves and greater adoption of renewable energy (RE), stating that the ideal adoption of RE would be 60 per cent by 2050.
Rashvin also proposed a carbon tax system which charges fossil fuel users a fee as a way of paying for the climate damage incurred through the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which would also motivate a switch to clean energy.
"The money raised from this can be used to fund sustainability programs," he said.
Business development manager Akram Yusof, 25, said it is important for the country to be better prepared for the emergence of the ‘Internet of Things’ (the internetworking of smart physical devices) and artificial intelligence (AI).
"How do we (the youth) become leaders of Malaysia's digital economy? (By embracing disruptive innovation, because) the advent of technologies such as the e-hailing mobile application has created a disruption.
"I feel that the nation can handle the (transition to a digital economy) better if youths were to handle the digital economy," he said.
A representative from the Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Bhd (Koprojaya) Wan Abdul Hadi Wan Mohd Shafie, 36, urged that young civil servants be given more opportunities in order to be empowered.
"Young civil servants welcome the challenge to turn TN50 into a reality. (We) should be given space and opportunity (to be involved) at the highest level.
"This would ensure that Malaysia (has) the best civil service in the world," he said.
Public Affairs Consultant Adam Mohd Reza, 25, expressed his wish for an inclusive economy.
He said macro indicators (such as GDP growth or per capita income) should not be the sole measuring stick for economic prosperity.
"(Inclusivity means) growth trickling down to all (strata) of society, especially the B40 and M40 groups," he said.
Another participant, former President of UM’s Student Representative Council, Fanitsyara Kam Phon, 23, suggested several developments to the country's education system.
"First, I wish for the accessibility of education for everyone, including minorities like me, (so that we can enjoy the) same opportunities.
"There should also be a flexible education system, where we change our syllabus from (one that is exam-oriented to one that is industry-oriented).
“And lastly, (fostering the realisation) of ideas into invention through innovation," she said.