YLDA Applies for Associate Membership
2005-07-05

Joining more than 50 delegates in Bangkok, Thailand last June 16-17 for the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) executive committee meeting were YLDA Executive Committee member Eko Darwanto and Program Officer Anne Elica?o. After giving a report through YLDA?s new, cutting edge flash presentation, the two submitted YLDA?s application for associate membership.

CALD?s membership committee, comprised of Rep. Neric Acosta, Hon. Saumura Tioulong, MP, and Dr. Chee Soon Juan will submit their recommendations on the application during the next CALD executive meeting in Taiwan in October 2005. Once inducted, YLDA will have the right to take part and speak during CALD meetings and events.

YLDA Executive Committee member Mr. Eko Darwanto meets Hon. Thana Cheeravinij, speaker of the Bangkok Municipal Assembly

Hon. Bi-Khim Hsiao, a member of parliament from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan and CALD secretary general, lauded the young liberals for their presentation and good-naturedly said that she didn?t expect much controversy over their acceptance.

The two political umbrella organizations have a history of close ties. CALD was instrumental in organizing the Asian youth leadership workshop (Phnom Penn, 2002) that led to the establishment of YLDA. Most of YLDA?s member organizations are the youth wings of political parties belonging to CALD. These are the Department of Youth Affairs (Democratic Progressive Party -Taiwan), KALIPI (Liberal Party of the Philippines), Gerakan Youth (Parti Gerakan Rakyat- Malaysia), Khmer Nation Youth Movement (Sam Rainsy Party- Cambodia), Garda Bangsa Youth (Nation Awakening Party-Indonesia), and the Singapore Democratic Party Youth (Singapore Democratic Party).

YLDA's Program Officer and Finance Chair with Thailand's youngest MP, M.L. Apimongkol Sonakul, MEng

YLDA and CALD with Hon. Apirak Kosayadhin, Bangkok governor

Garda Bangsa Garda Bangsa was formed in 1998 following the successful political reform spearheaded by students and other campus activists to depose the tyrannical regime of President Suharto. The organization was founded by Abdurram Wahid, a former adviser of President Suharto who resigned following an escalation in government corruption and political management by the administration. He championed "Responsible Openness" within the government system and proposed the establishment of a Reform Committee in order to mitigate poor governance within the administration. His calls were left unheeded and so he eventually withdrew support for the government and joined the efforts advocating for reform in the government. Read more...