Malaysian Youth Lead Discussions on Lebanon-Israel Crisis
2006-08-23

Malaysian and Filipino youth leaders convene in the YLDA/FNF/CALD secretariat.

As global leaders called for ceasefire and peace in the Middle East, their younger counterparts in Malaysia were not far behind. Barisan Nasional Youth, the youth arm of ruling coalition party Barisan Nasional, embarked on a mission to Southeast Asian countries to draw attention to the Lebanon-Israel war. Hon. Dato' Mah Siew Keong, National Parti Gerakan youth chairman and deputy minister for agriculture, led the eight-member delegation to the Philippines last August 9, 2006. Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) Program Officer Anne Elica?o, Friedrich Naumann Foundation Resident Representative Dr. Ronald Meinardus, and Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats Executive Director John Coronel welcomed Barisan Nasional Youth to their joint offices. This was where the dialogue with young Filipino leaders from government, political parties, universities, and civil society took place.

Young leaders attentively listen to the discussions.

"We have not come here to ask you to take sides. This war is not about religion. We are deeply concerned about the loss of lives, property, and the violation of human rights," Dato' Mah said during the discussion. He also commented that the Middle East conflict had repercussions in all regions. Asian migrant workers were among those displaced and endangered in Lebanon.

Barisan Nasional Youth presented a draft statement which expressed the need to uphold international law, human dignity and justice in the face of conflict. Filipino youth leaders, in turn, promised to pass the statement to their organizations for endorsement or replication. They also agreed to continue their dialogue on the Middle East crisis in an online forum.

Gerakan Youth Chairman Dato Mah' and Program Officer Elicano.

"The input coming from the youth regarding the Middle East crisis is important. It helps us shape policy and bring them forth to the (Philippine) government for action," Commissioner Princess Abante of the National Youth Commission of the Philippines commented. YLDA Program Officer Elica?o concluded, "The Asian youth cannot sit passively in silence while injustice and such massive destruction of a country are taking place. We thank Barisan Nasional Youth, especially Dato Mah', for taking the lead in discussing this crucial issue." Parti Gerakan Youth is one of the founding members of YLDA.

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