Datuk Joniston Bangkuai greets participants at the Empowering 18: Shaping Tomorrow’s Democracy programme in Kiulu.
KIULU : – A special workshop aimed at raising awareness and engaging youth in the democratic process through Undi-18 was held in Kiulu on Sunday.
programme, themed “Get Informed, Get Involved,” was jointly organised by the N.15 Kiulu Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM), Gerak Anak Sabah Organization, and Tuaran Care Organization, in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)’s lecturers and students.
Titled “Empowering 18: Shaping Tomorrow’s Democracy,” the programme aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the younger generation, particularly in Kiulu, as voters while creating a platform for them to discuss community issues.
At the program’s closing ceremony, Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai emphasised the importance of youth participation in the democratic process despite the prevailing disappointment with the current political climate.
“I understand that many out there may feel disheartened by politics, believing it is filled with empty promises and that no fundamental changes occur.
“However, this perception should not deter young voters from their responsibility to vote. Voting is a proactive step to get involved in development and is a meaningful learning experience,” he said.
He urged young people to research election candidates, their parties, and manifestos, and to see how their ideas match the community’s needs.
He said that every vote has the potential to impact community development and create opportunities for youth to grow.
“As the representative of Kiulu, I am open to listening to and understanding the younger generation’s needs and aspirations. The youth in this area have various ambitions, such as in technology, creative arts, tourism, education, modern agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
“The Undi-18 opens the door for youth to have a voice in democracy and contribute to development through the fields you are passionate about,” he said.
To ensure that the youth in Kiulu are involved in development planning, Joniston has urged UPMM to allocate at least 30 per cent of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) to youth.
“In this way, Undi-18 is not just about voting but also becomes a platform for you to demonstrate responsibility as young leaders actively contributing to the development of our community,” he added.
The program began with a briefing on various programs and initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Roadmap, delivered by the SMJ Secretariat chief coordination officer, Datuk Rosmadi Datu Sulai.
The main session of the program included a workshop on “Understanding Democracy, the Voting Process, and Practical Aspects of Voting” led by UNIMAS Senior Lecturer Associate Professor Dr Arnold Puyok.
This session also covered practical guidelines such as voter registration, ballot use, and the voting procedure, followed by a Q&A session with the participants.
The potential and challenges of Undi-18 in the Malaysian political landscape were also discussed in the forum “The Future Direction of Undi-18 in Malaysia,” which featured Jo-Anna Henley Rampas, a representative of Pertubuhan Gerak Anak Sabah/Pertubuhan Tuaran Care and a PhD candidate at UNIMAS, as one of the panellists.
Participants also participated in group training and presented their views in a session titled “What Do the Youth of Kiulu Want.”
