Young people go to local government

A first-of-its-kind internship program and a new team of think tanks promoting progressive policies in Petaling Jaya, Selangor are immersing young people in the world of local government.

Through these initiatives, young people can experience first-hand the challenges of decision-making and policy implementation that directly impact their communities.

This campaign is spearheaded by two young councilors from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) who want to show young people that getting involved in local government matters is not boring.

Knowledge of local authorities

Nalina is also the chairwoman of the MBPJ Public Health and Safety Subcommittee. —Filepic

Two-term councilor Nalina Nair told StarMetro that the internship program provided an insight into how local government policy is developed, and the interns were able to see first-hand what councilors deal with on a daily basis.

Nalina announced the internship program on its social media pages earlier this month, calling on young people interested in learning about local government to apply.

There is no age restriction, but those under 18 will need parental consent.

Her post stated that the interns would be part of the process of gaining knowledge about research, policy-making, public services and administrative assistance in government offices.

“Seven potential interns have submitted their applications, and the first one is interning for a month,” she said.

Although there is no maximum limit on the duration of an internship, the minimum period is one month.

“Some candidates have done impressive research on specific topics and know what I do as a councilor,” Nalina said.

“I feel like I can connect with these young people and be someone they can look up to,” she added.

According to Nalina, two of the job applicants were law students studying abroad who had returned for the holidays.

“They are both young Indian women; I believe there is a lack of Indian women in politics today,” she said.

Although this is the first of its kind internship program among local governments, she said Kampung Tunku assembly member Lim Yi Wei has played a key role in empowering young people in local governments.

“Lim noted that I wanted to help with this initiative and improve policymaking at the local government level in Petaling Jaya,” explained Nalina from the Kampung Tunku assembly service center.

She said hiring young trainees would help councilors enormously, especially in dealing with complaints from the community.

“Councillors are really busy dealing with complaints because citizens prefer to call us rather than use the city council’s public complaints management system (Sispaa).

“They see us as a ‘complaint center,’ but we don’t have time to address all of them,” she said.

She added that trainees will be paid a monthly salary of up to RM800.

“I feel like society doesn’t see councilors as ‘important people’ because we don’t have local government elections,” she said, noting that councilors were not seen in as prominent a light as an MP or MP.

“But our work impacts people’s everyday lives. The interns who join us will help improve some aspects,” said Nalina, who also chairs the MBPJ Public Health and Safety subcommittee.

“We want the interns to look into these issues and also come up with ideas on how to improve food waste management in food outlets in the city,” she added.

Think outside the box

Kusaaliny took the oath as an MBPJ councilor in January this year. —Filepic

Before becoming Selangor’s youngest councilor in January this year, 24-year-old Kusaaliny Mahendran gained some experience as political secretary to Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran.

Social Democratic Malaysia (SocDem) recently established a think tank in the city.

SocDem is a platform for evidence-based policy solutions and advocacy on three key issues – climate action, democracy and governance, and urban planning and housing.

“Here, young people can collaborate and engage with ideas, as well as join forums and focus groups organized by SocDem.

“We do not limit our target group to age groups, but young people have a platform where they can come and find out what they want for the city, using our guidance and using already existing political tools.

“For example, if young people want a beautiful park like Hyde Park in London, how will we do that and how will we implement it in Petaling Jaya in the next 25 years? Who do we need to lobby?

“We will teach them these things because we also have platforms like Selangor Young Assemblyman (Adun Muda).”

Kusaaliny emphasized that SocDem was the only advisory team in which half of the participants were young people.

“About 80% of our team are people under 30,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong (third from left) and Rajiv (fourth from right) at the opening of the Social Democracy Malaysia advisory center in Petaling Jaya. Along with them are interns in the organization.

Rajiv, chairman of SocDem, said young people can join and support their ideas based on the platform’s three focus areas.

“They can learn how to advocate for these issues to the right people in government to shift policy in these three areas of concern toward meaningful change in society,” he said.

He added that young people can also focus on other important issues, such as health care.

Fresh perspectives

Matthew says the internship gives him the opportunity to see the theories he has learned put into practice.StarMetro talked to several young people who took part in the internship program to find out about their experiences working in local government.

For Brian Matthew, 23, a finance graduate from a local university, the program gave him the opportunity to see how the theories he learned were put into practice.

“I have seen firsthand how taxpayer dollars are spent on city services and maintaining public facilities,” he said.

The eldest of two children from Puchong, Selangor, was given several responsibilities under Kusaalina’s supervision.

He recalled that these included research into improving bus services in Petaling Jaya.

Matthew said the project gave him the chance to engage with MBPJ staff and also gave him insight into how they work.

“As someone from a younger generation, I have certain views on how to solve problems.

“However, officials must reconcile many competing priorities, so we must find a middle ground.

Ng says the internship gives her skills that can be used in her future job.“I see it as a positive experience and a learning opportunity,” he said.

After completing her A-Levels in Singapore, 20-year-old Esther Ng Yu Xuan wanted to learn more about public policy.

She was due to continue her studies in the UK in September, and in the meantime she applied for an internship to gain experience.

“However, my applications kept getting rejected because I didn’t have a related degree,” said Ng, who will study linguistics.

She considers herself lucky to have been accepted into Kusaalina’s internship program because the experience will give her skills that she can use in the future.

“I had a chance to get involved in social work,” she added.

Similarly, Leong Hoy Kit, 20, who flies to the UK in September to study philosophy and economics, said the internship gave him insight into the politics surrounding his field of study.

Leong says the internship gives him insight into the politics surrounding his field of study.After being admitted to the university, he was asked to apply for an internship.

“I discovered that many of my university colleagues had research and social work experience that I did not have.

“During the internship, I learned how to conduct research and analyze data while dealing with the local community.”

The Subang Jaya resident, who has younger siblings, said his knowledge of local politics has improved as a result.

Unlike her peers who joined the program to enhance their CV, 18-year-old Wai Yixin said her father signed her up for the program.

“He said I was too spoiled and wanted me to know about the issues affecting my community.”

Yixin is inspired by his father, who regularly communicates with MBPJ on neighborhood matters.The internship gave Yixin a new appreciation for what she learned in high school.

“I used to think that a lot of things in history books were just for exams, but now I know that they are really important,” she said.

Yixin is inspired by her father, who she says regularly contacted MBPJ about various issues in their neighborhood.

“He likes to complain to the councilor, but he also gives suggestions for improvement.

“It says it is important that we not only complain but also propose a solution,” she added.

Another intern, 19-year-old Dhanyasri Nair, a second-year law student in the UK, is currently returning to the country for his summer break.

She applied at the urging of her father, who said she could benefit from her experience working in local government.

Having grown up in the Middle East for most of her life, she also saw it as an opportunity to improve her Malay language skills.

Before attending MBPJ meetings, Dhanyasri conducted research to ensure she was up to date on various issues.

“Within a few days, I saw how councilors approach problems, deal with people from all walks of life, and plan community events,” added the intern who reports to Nalina.