2010, YOUTH SAY « SJ Echo

Thursday, 7 January 2010

2010, YOUTH SAY

2010 would be the beginning of the last year in the decade of the new millennium. As with all New Year resolutions, most of us would find it difficult to carry on the promises that we made as New Year resolutions.
Nevertheless, like most, I am going to try again. Top of my list would be to get healthy and lose some weight. I am sure my gym would be very glad to hear that.
I was home in Kuching for Christmas and had a good time there. I met a few of my cousins and to my astonishment; my younger cousins have got a voice now and opinions in the way things are going.
This year would also see a start for a new beginning for those who would be embarking on their education aspirations. Some would dread leaving home to go so far away but some would relish going to college as this would be their time in new found freedom and independence.
Subang Jaya has many colleges. I was a product of Metropolitan College in Subang Jaya. I remembered I just got my results for my STPM which I can now say was the most difficult public examination in my lifetime. Not even A Levels or any other public or university entry level could come close to its difficulty.
The youths today have more choices for colleges. Now you even have a choice of Monash University added in. Monash University is only one of three Australian Universities which have a campus in Malaysia. Subang Jaya has Monash whilst Swinburne is in Kuching and Curtin is in Miri.
Taylor’s College has just opened their Lakeside campus whilst Sunway University College, Inti College and Metropolitan College continue to improve on their education quality and offerings.
Subang Jaya is a hot bed for private education and there are more youths here than anywhere else in any part of the country’s large towns and cities.
Youths play a great role in our society. They have not yet been corrupted by the working environment as well as the politics that has been a staple of many companies. It is still there now and my advice to the youths is that companies that tell you there is no politics and that they do not condone such thing are actually lying to you
Youths have a chance. Especially those who have seen what adults have done in the name of progress. Adults have made quite a few mistakes in the name of development and fear of another man.
Youths today are different form when we were youths at our time. Today, youths would be more outspoken. They would have better ideas and also have the capability to run things given the opportunity. Where that would put the adults then, one may ask. Adults have a task to prepare the environment for the youths to eventually take over. Adults have a place for advice. A history book of experience. A guiding hand.
But the hand steering the wheel will eventually be the youths. I have been in a situation in my youth where I thought my bosses were old fashioned. I was right. They lived in the past glory and unable to see the trending future with the youths.
I have also been overseas, and seeing youth at work gives me a boost. Today, I prepare myself to do something better. Something which I believe in. The end of 2010 would be a defining moment for me.
Talking to my younger cousins has convinced me that the youths have come of age. They have a belief that something is not right.
It is interesting to talk to youths. I felt comfort knowing that eventually things may be alright if the youths use the same passion in working towards the goal of a fair and just society and the respect for the environment.
Throughout my years of working, I have always tried to instill the view that we are not here forever. We should do all we can to help improve the well being of those who work with you and also those who despises you because you fail to follow the norm. Then again, is the norm always better? Many youths I met have shown me otherwise.
Some have gone to speak at local and overseas youth conferences in their late twenties and some have risked starting up businesses. Some have not achieved what they have set to do but a good many have still found success. Those who fell at the beginning still try.
I cannot say that with many adults nowadays. When I sit with adults of those 30 and above, I found that most conversations are talks of frustrations and negativity permeates. Positive flames have somehow been extinguished. I was close into falling into such traps until three years back when I had a five year goal to do. 2010 would be my defining year. I will need to make my move in order to fulfill my youthful dreams of before and now.
The Catholic Youths of Subang Jaya must band together and help improve the perception and the understanding of the Catholic Faith. Do question the reasons when another man tells you that we must hide under pretence to build the House of God. The House of God dwells in our faith.
I would also like to say to those who have come up to me and said again that I do not understand how things work, “Look at yourself and ask this. Would you lie to build the Faith? If you do, then you have already died”
I salute the youths. I also call upon the youths of Subang Jaya to come forth and take the steering wheel from those who are too fearful to let go.
Wishing all in Subang Jaya a Happy New year 2010!