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STATEMENT : HIGH-LEVEL DEBATE ON THE THEME "ENHANCING YOUTH MAINSTREAMING IN CRIME PREVENTION POLICIES", 6 JUNE 2022
STATEMENT BY
H.E. DATO' SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS,
AT THE
HIGH-LEVEL DEBATE ON THE THEME
“ENHANCING YOUTH MAINSTREAMING IN CRIME PREVENTION POLICIES”
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK
6 JUNE 2022
Mr. President,
There is a proverb in the Malay language which goes, “melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya”, whose English equivalent is “strike while the iron is hot”. This adage bodes well with our discussion today. I commend you, Mr. President, for convening this high-level debate, for us to exchange views on how to enhance youth mainstreaming in crime prevention policies. Allow me to share some of the efforts undertaken by Malaysia in this regard.
Mr. President,
2. Malaysia recognises the value of youth perspectives in policymaking, as the decisions we make today will have a bearing in their future. As a testament to this, Malaysia established a National Youth Consultative Council in 1971, which assists the Government in the formulation and implementation of national development matters related to youth. The Consultative Council convenes several times in a year and comprises representatives from the federal and state governments, the National Youth Council and members of national youth organisations.
3. In addition to this, Malaysia has also established a Youth Parliament to provide exposure to youth between the ages of 18 and 30 on the workings of our Parliament and raise awareness on the democratic process. The workings of the unicameral Youth Parliament resemble that of our lower house of Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat. The Youth Parliament debates on various topics, including social issues, and produces non-binding legislation in the form of resolutions, outlining key issues of the topic and proposed solutions. This has been a valuable platform for youth to express their voice and opinions, including on matters related to crime prevention.
4. Taking a step further, Malaysia had, in 2019, lowered the statutory voting age to 18 years old, providing our youth more inclusivity in the domestic political process.
5. In the area of crime and violence prevention, Malaysia has undertaken several initiatives to empower our youth. One of these is the Belia Sejahtera or Prosperous Youth Initiative managed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This initiative comprises social intervention modules such as prevention and awareness; character, personality and identity development; prevention of extremism; and second-chance programmes for youth at risk. Activities conducted under this initiative include a summer camp-based programme, skills training for juvenile offenders, workshops and youth-to-youth social interventions. Under the ambit of this Initiative, our Institute for Youth Research had, in 2017, produced a set of Guidelines on the Prevention of Extremism and Radical Ideology Among the Youth and Community.
6. In addition to the Belia Sejahtera initiative, our youth also participate in crime prevention volunteer programmes. These include, amongst others, the Police Reserve Volunteers, the Voluntary Patrol Scheme, the Community-Oriented Policing (COP) Partners or Rakan Cop, Safe Schools, and the Student Police Volunteer Corps.
7. Recognising the value of peer outreach, the Government works closely with non-governmental organisations and civil society, particularly youth groups, to implement crime prevention awareness advocacy.
Mr. President,
8. It is important that we lay a solid crime and violence prevention foundation among our youth, in line with the adage "prevention is better than cure". Malaysia will continue to undertake further efforts to mainstream our youth in the design and implementation of crime prevention policies.
I thank you.