My YSEALI Experience

It's been more than a month since I am back from the US and Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). I had been wanting to write down my experience but was a bit too pre-occupied with other things since touching down especially catching up with works. Anyway, here it is, better late than never. :) 

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It's 25th April mid-night, I looked at my empty suitcase and thought, "o crap, I am flying tomorrow night to the US and I have not prepared anything!" After all, I have just finished a crazily packed day. Our office has been busy since the beginning of the month - we completed SS2 Wall Art project in the first week, ran anti-rape campaign together with All Women Action Malaysia (AWAM) in the second week, organised Youth Leadership Camp (LEAP) in the third week and just launched Change Your World's anti-human trafficking campaign on 25th April. I needed to cramp everything so that I could spare some time to go the US without short-changing our annual goals. 

Frankly, at this stage, being an introvert, all I wanted was to retract to my personal corner (you'll understand that if you are an introvert too, haha), definitely not to attend leadership program with many new people to meet and connections to make, not to mention the hassle to pack in the middle of the night! Argh. I started to regret and thought to myself, "Why on earth did I apply to this YSEALI?". 

But I was reminded of the reasons I applied to this program - to learn new knowledge, to gain new information, to challenge my current perspectives and to seek new ways of doing things. A person will only move backward if he/she starts living in his/her own world and repeating everything he/she has done before. So I cleared my mind, got myself a coffee, opened my eyes wide, and yes, started packing. And off I went to the U.S on Sunday 26th April 2015!

5 Things I Learnt in the US and YSEALI

MCMC must explain why Sarawak Report is blocked?

Media Statement by Yeo Bee Yin, DAP Social Media Strategist and State Asselywoman for Damansara Utama on Monday 20 July 2015.

MCMC Must Explain How the Decision to Block Sarawak Report Website Was Made

We are greatly disturbed by the action of the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in blocking access to whistleblower website Sarawak Report. We have not forgotten the incident when BBC’s “kangkung” webpage entitled “#BBCtrending: Be careful what you say about spinach” was blocked temporarily in January 2014.

Whether the websites are blocked temporarily or partially, such practice sets a dangerous precedence for Internet freedom in Malaysia. It seems to us that Putrajaya has increasingly abused its power in Communication and Multimedia Ministry to restrict the dissemination of news that are not in favor of the ruling government.

Whacking a prince, 800 years after Magna Carta

I rarely share article written by others on my blog. But I think this article from Malaysiakini written by Lu Wei Hong offers clarity in this disturbed and distracted world of Malaysian politics. You may not agree with the writer but I believe it worth deep thoughts from us, especially those who wish to pursue a full parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. UMNO or Nazri supporter or not, the eventuality is to pick between upholding a system governed by votes or by bloodline. We cannot have the best of both worlds. 

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The Malaysian political arena is now embroiled in a whacking match between Culture and Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim over Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s absence at the 'Nothing to Hide' forum.

In defence of “kurang ajar”, Nazri parried himself, as an elected representative for five consecutive terms, with the member of the Johor royalty, who hooked up a 2,000-strong “Daulat Tuanku” rally in front of the Bukit Serene Palace.

As the heated exchange continued, there was a significant, historical event taking place 10,500km away in Britain, the former coloniser of Malaya, on June 15.

A fleet of boats, led by the royal barge Gloriana, was carrying a replica of the Magna Carta on the Thames River and heading for Runnymede, where the charter was signed between King John and a group of rebel barons in 1215.

Can’t see, can’t hear’ policy on refugees must stop

Media Statement by Yeo Bee Yin, State Assemblyperson of Damansara Utama on Wednesday 13 May 2015 in Petaling Jaya.

The number of refugees in Malaysia will continue to increase and the government can no longer practice “can’t see, can’t hear” policy on refugee.

It was reported that more than a thousand of Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees have just arrived at Malaysian shore. According to UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) report entitled “Irregular Maritime Movement”, about 25,000 people are estimated to have departed from the Bay of Bengal in the first quarter of 2015 in the hope to reach Malaysia by sea[1]. Therefore, we believe that this is just the beginning of more refugees to arrive in days to come.

Protect the Kids not Paedophiles

Below is my full statement responding to the intention of Shafie Apdal and MARA of giving Nur Fitri the Paedophiles an easy second chance. 

Media Statement of Yeo Bee Yin, State Assemblywoman of Damansara Utama on Wednesday 6 May 2015 in Petaling Jaya. 

No Unconditional Second Chance for Nur Fitri the Paedophile

We are disgusted by the statement made by the Minister of Rural and Regional Development Mohd Shafie Apdal on the government intention to appeal to the court of London to lessen the Nur Fitri's sentence in London. Shafie Apdal must explain to the public why the government should spend tax payers money (our government resources in London) to lessen the punishment for a paedophile? Such government action will send a terribly wrong signal to Malaysian that paedophile is alright.  Nur Fitri is a disgrace to our country and the fact that Shafie Apdal intend to appeal for him is even more disgraceful. 

Our children's right to protection is far more important than the freedom of paedophile. If we want to protect the most vulnerable, we must be stern to the convict. Where is Datuk Rohani Abdul Rohani on this issue? She should speak up against her colleague for the right of the children to be protected. 

In addition, we strongly disagree with MARA and the student group which are calling to give Nur Fitri a second chance by allowing him to study in the local institutions in Malaysia upon his return. In fact, MARA should now review its scholarship selection policy on why was he given scholarship? Tax payers monies wasted on a paedophile! 

No Excuse to Rape Campaign

Rape is a very serious issue in Malaysia. And it probably will affect the victims and their families for a life time. When I discussed how we can help to raise the awareness with Karen, my assistant who's doing our women work, we had an initial idea of doing forums. But after much thought, we decided that we should release a video to reach out to more. We are thankful that AWAM (All Women’s Action Society) came onboard to be our partner in this campaign. 

Many time rape is perceived as a women's problem, but it is actually about men. So the target audience for this video is the men. I hope that you can help us to increase awareness about rape, watch and share this video to your friends. 

Below is my our picture during the video launch and my statement on rape. 

Media Statement by Yeo Bee Yin, State Assemblywoman for Damansara Utama on Tuesday 20 April 2015

No Excuse to Rape Campaign (Rogol adalah rogol. Tiada Alasan)

Pusat Khidmat ADUN Damansara Utama and AWAM (All Women’s Action Society) have teamed up to run a digital campaign that aims to break the general victim blaming culture in Malaysia and to raise awareness about statutory rape, substance-related rape and marital rape.

On average, there are 3,000 rape cases reported every year in Malaysia and only 2 out of every 10 cases are reported. In another words, every 35 minutes there is one girl or woman being raped somewhere in Malaysia.

Rape can only be reduced when we as a society have greater awareness about the severity of the issue and start addressing the taboos, myths and mindsets that exacerbate rape culture. One fact that should be understood clearly is that the act of rape is never the fault of the victims but the rapists.  Many people think that rape is about women but it is more about men. Hence this digital campaign main target audience is the men.  

Skim Teksi Percuma

Skim Teksi Percuma (STP) is a social assistance program initiated by Pusat Khidmat ADUN Damansara Utama, Pusat Khidmat ADUN Bukit Gasing and Pusat Khidmat ADUN Kampung Tunku with the support of MyTeksi to provide free taxi rides for low-income families, the underprivileged and the disabled to the government hospitals in the Klang Valley area. In addition, beneficiaries can also use the free taxi services to manage matters related to citizenship and welfare in any Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) and the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) in the Klang Valley area.

Rogol Adalah Rogol Tiada Alasan

Secara purata, 3,000 kes rogol dilaporkan setiap tahun di Malaysia dan hanya dua daripada setiap 10 kes yang dilaporkan. Dalam erti kata lain, setiap 35 minit, akan ada seorang gadis atau wanita dirogol di suatu tempat di Malaysia.  Hormatilah wanita, tonton dan sebarkan video ini. 

Rogol Adalah Rogol. Tiada Alasan!