Saturday, 2nd August is a day where future leaders of Malaysia made their voice heard.

It was the first day of 2nd Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit 2008 and the heat was intense between the government and the students. MSLS is a summit where students from many different universities, be it local or international, coming together to be part of the agent of change for the better of their future here in Malaysia.

Started off with the officiating speech by YB Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin whose topic was “Student Activism as an Element of Human Capital Development“. I attended halfway of his speech partly because I was not keen and interested with the topic. I don’t know why.

Next in line is a forum on “Malaysian National Unity: Organic or Manufactured?” by two panelist, Royal Prof. Ungku Abdul Aziz (former VC of UM) and Khoo Kay Peng (political analyst). Some of the key points delivered during this forum was from Prof. Ungku who said that we need to strengthen our Malay Language to unite Malaysian. Also what was said that we Malaysian lack in communication and understanding between each other and we need to improve on that. It was also said that we need to forge national unity back in the school itself as it was pretty much dysfunctional in the sense of cultivating national unity.

I skipped the next topic, “Reconciling Religion and Genger: The Malaysian Context” as I had some urgency to attend to and party, this was not one of my favourite topic amongs all. Therefore, nothing to say about it then.

A break for lunch and then, it was Ministerial Address by our Education Minister, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin on the topic “The National Education Blueprint: Addressing Racial Polarization adn Sustainable Economic Development“. Gosh! The kind of topic being thrown out!

This was pretty much interested only at the Q&A session, but during his speech, I was not really paying much of an attention, but I manage to capture some of the points that I think worth to write down. Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin said that racial polarization was a matter of history whereby it was nothing new.

The National Education Blueprint (NEB) which in its time frame (2006-2010) is to relook into the ways of teaching, which is currently too academic. Some of the things that were being mentioned was to reassess UPSR and class base examination.

To enhance governence in school, the MOE has appointed 60 schools’ head of administrator to attend courses overseas and come back to run the school independently. Giving more space and authority to these heads to run the school without getting authority time and time again from the MOE.

Another interesting topic brought up was the Moral Subject. Fellow student Andrew Loh gave his question on the relevency of Moral Studies in SPM and he mentioned that it is one of the few subject being reviewed in the NEB. Other questions also covers the perception of parents about the islamization of the school because of the teachings and custom and regulations. Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin’s reply was pointing to the non-muslim saying its being islamized while the muslim saying its too secular. Two different interest, too hard to please. Oh wells…

It was rather an interesting forum and I still think, we should have been allocated more time for the Q&A with Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin. Then, after this, it was the session many was waiting for.

It was a session with our beloved Prime Minister.

Pak Lah’s Keynote Address was “Holistic Development and The Role of Government“. Before his speech, he showed up a notes and commented how thick the notes was and thus went on giving his own speech, moving away from the intended keynote address topic. Some topics said was about how much we love our country, the need to strive together, the willingness to respect all races, no hatred, talked about “perpaduan” (unity), then about the petrol prices that affected the increase in commodity price increased as well and how much it has also affected government’s budget, and that we should challenge ourselves to be better to even winning gold in olympics. How irrelevent?

Malaysiakini reported it on their website about this…

Following this, Abdullah sought a clarification from the student who posed the question, apparently oblivious that the topic for his keynote address listed in the event’s itinerary was Holistic Development and the role of the Government.

“Holistic apa?… Where did I say so in my speech? Are you looking at it? Oh, you are (referring) to the title of my speech!” exclaimed Abdullah, leading to laughter, applause and then loud murmurs from the 500-odd participants.

He did not touch on the intended topic during his keynote address but instead delivered a 40-minute off-the-cuff address to the students on a wide range of topics.

I couldn’t believe actually what had happened. Maybe he was so busy that no proper speech was prepared. Who’s fault here is not at stake. Just how much proper communication should be taken an importance before delivering speech to students, whom Pak Lah regards as “future leaders”.

It was then Q&A after his speech and some of the questions asked were:

- In achieving 2020, are we on schedule?

- I wish to join the civil service, but the civil service doesn’t seem to be colour blind. What will be done to redeem the image of the civil service?

- Will there be more public debates between the cabinet members and the opposition on government policies?

- What is the role of the government in holistic development?

_ You have called yourself colour blind, but what is your view on our quota system? It is still more racial rather than community- based. Secondly, what is your views on protecting minorities rather than majorities?

- I want to know how do you feel about promises that you have not kept. I don’t want to know what you’re going to do, but I want to know how you feel, towards us, the people you are responsible for. (Su Ann asked this! Fuiyoh!! haha)

It was interesting to see how Pak Lah handle all the questions, and again, I do seriously think that PakLah should have spent more time with the students!

The day ends with the Industry and Corporate Forum “Malaysia’s Corporate Sector: Where do Malaysia’s Youth Fit In?“. I was looking forward to this forum as well… I’m in the corporate sector! -_-
The three panelist for this forum was Tengku Zafrul Aziz (CEO, Tune Money), Ahmad Shanizam (Director, Khazanah Nasional), Ruben Gnanalingam (Exec. Director, Westport Malaysia).

This forum was moderated and some of the questions put forth were
- How do you find the qualities in a person?
- How have it been for them in their corporate years?
- Any words to those who wants to get into the corporate world?

Ahmad’s view was to look for someone who work smart, work hard, with heart. Which was a view borrowed from the Finance Minister II, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. Ahmad added that, those who wants to be successful has to be someone who has good intention in what he does. To be different also, that person must make a change!

Tengku Zafrul’s view was similar as Ahmad’s, work hard and smart, believe in the company and believe that he can make a chage. More towards how much can you contribute to the company rather than how much can the company pays you. Look for the after-rewards once an achievement is made.

Ruben presses on that person should have passion in what they do with the right attitude. Also, to be successfull, that person has to be expert in a certain field before diversifying into different jobs.

Among other topics were about networking and all three panelist agrees that networking is the way forward, pretty much like who you know. Ahmad said that not necessary who you know, but what you know also counts. They said in the corporate world, we need to expand our network beyond our comfort zone and to know the people out there. Learn from them and more importantly, to know your peers first.

Agree very much on the networking part and pretty much reflected on me. Heh…

That wraps up the first day of MSLS 2008 and coming up soon is the debate of YB Khairy, YB Tony Pua and YB Nik Nazmi!