Post-its with hopes for a brighter tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR: A wall of little pink and blue Post-it notes lined the entrance to Dewan Tunku Canselor in Universiti Malaya, each of them filled with the hopes and aspirations of Malaysian youth.

At the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) launch yesterday, the young attendees wrote bite-sized comments about their hopes for their nation and society in the run-up to 2050.

Among the most popular comments on the Post-it wall was the need for more youth platforms to be able to reach out to the Govern­ment.

“The Government should give more support to student events, otherwise some bright ideas they may have for Malaysia would not be heard,” one Post-it note said.

“We need a more down to earth approach by ministers when they engage youth, because Malaysia’s future stands with the youths,” said another.

Many comments were posted on higher education and subsequent job opportunities, which many saw to be not enough for the future.

“I hope the children of those living in rumah panjang have better access to higher education, so they may fly high in life,” one participant posted.

“Malaysia should not just produce more graduates but also create enough jobs for them,” said another note.

Other comments included the push for a more enlightened and mature society, with inclusiveness and moderation at its core.

“I want us to be an open and inclusive society, where the free flow of ideas and people from different backgrounds are accepted,” one note stated.

“A government that makes policies based on thoughtful analysis with informed decisions, and one that thinks long-term for its people,” said another note.

A few other comments also touched on the all-important concern over cost of living, where participants urged the Government to look into the rising cost of items ranging from day-to-day essentials to property prices.

One participant even jokingly posted: “If the price of everything is so high, how am I to save up for my wedding?”

The Post-it Wall was not the only interesting activity at the launch –participants were also invited to cast their votes and pick one of the five core aims of TN50.

They were given colourful plastic balls and had to pitch them into a cylinder that marked the aim that meant the most to them.

The five aims were an inclusive, open and high-spirited society; a healthy, intelligent and safe environment; pioneering ideas and economic development; a connected, innovative society that adapts to new technologies; and influential at the global level with an effective model for national administration.