The National Youth Policy categorised youth as those belonging to
the age group between 15 to 40. Malaysia has population of 19 millions and youth
constitutes 42% thereof.
Youth represents a national force in the field of politics,economy,culture and education in our nation. As they are leaders of tomorrow, they play a relatively important role in national development.
Young Malaysians Movement, Y.M.M. through its organisational planning and leadership,aim to organise youth by providing them with training,education,counselling and re-education programmes,which in turn will motivate them and liberate thier talents and upgrade thier abilities.
The inadequacy of formal school education has always led to numerous social problems. It is the mission of Y.M.M. to re-educate this group of youth to change thier way of thinking and behaviour. Y.M.M. hopes to inculcate new and positive values in them,so that youth will become a conscientious,rational and just person. In this respect, it is hoped that they can actively participate in youth activities as well as contributing to nation-building.
As all of us know,a prosperous and strong nation depends on the quality of its youth. Y.M.M. is therefore keen to train our youth to instil self-reliance which ultimately cultivates an ideal personality.
¡@HISTORY OF Y.M.M.
Y.M.M. was formerly known as Young Workers Movement. It was formed in 1960,with the help of World Assembly Of Youth and Malaysian Youth Council. The founders include the late Member of Parliament, the Honorable Mr. Siow Loong Hin.
To avoid public misconception that is was a trade workers union,it is renamed Young Malaysians Movement, (Y.M.M.) in year 1972.
Initially, Y.M.M. started with its branches in Negeri Sembilan,Malacca and Selangor. Until 1979,branches were set up in Perak,Penang,Kelantan and Wilayah Persekutuan.
Between 1979 and 1980, Y.M.M. expanded into Johore, Kedah, Terengganu, Perlis and Pahang. Subsequently, Y.M.M. set up its branches in Sabah and transformed into a truly national organisation.
¡@PRESIDENT OF Y.M.M.| YB Siow Loong Hin, PJK, MP | ( 1960-1972 ) |
| Mr. Yeoh Yuen Chong | ( 1972 - 1973 ) |
| Mr. Yeoh Yuen Chong | ( 1972 - 1973 ) |
| Mr. Lee Hong Chye | ( 1973 - 1981 ) |
| Mr. Koh Kim Swee | ( 1981 - 1987 ) |
| Mr. Thor Hong Tong | ( 1987 - 1997 ) |
| Mr. Lim Joo Kiat | ( 1997 - ) |
The first National President of Y.M.M. was Mr. Joseph Siow Loong Hin, PJK, JP, deceased. He was the first generation youth worker in Malaysia. He was the President of Malaysia Youth Council for 10 years ( 1955 - 1965 ) and Vice President of World Assembly of Youth from 1957 to 1964. Under Mr Siow leadership,Y.M.M. has rapidly developed as the highest organisation representing Chinese Youth at the material time. He has also successfully laid the foundation for Y.M.M. further growth and development.
Mr. Yeoh Yuen Chong has replaced Mr. Siow Loong Hin as the second National President of Y.M.M. when the latter passed away in 1972. Mr. Yeoh subsequently handed the Presidancy to Mr. Lee Hong Chye one year later. Y.M.M. is indebted to Mr. Lee who has brought much progress to Y.M.M. from 1973 to 1981.
In June 1981, Y.M.M. President Mr. Lee Hong Chye retired. At the Central Assembly in 1981, Mr. Koh Kim Swee was elected as President. Under his leadership, more branches were set up in various states throuhgout Malaysia. The development of Y.M.M. has since entered a new era of progress. It has become one of the largest youth organisations in Malaysia.
When Mr. Koh Kim Swee retired in the 1987 Assembly, the leadership was taken over by former Secretary-General Mr. Thor Hong Tong. The Secretary General then was Mr. Tan Beng Huat. At that time, the average age of the Central Executive Council members was 32. It is the youngest combination in Y.M.M. history.
1989, October, Mr. Thor Hong Tong was reelected as President, and Mr. Koh Mui Tee as Secretary-General. With the active participation of the new leadership, Y.M.M. formulated many long term objectives, created new images and became very active.
In the 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995 Y.M.M. elections, Mr. Thor Hong Tong was continuosly elected as the National President . In 1993 and 1995 Mr. Lim Joo Kiat was elected the new Secretary General. This new leadership has planed detailed strategies to shape a new image for Y.M.M. and bring about changes to the organisation.
In 1997, the leadership was took over by Mr. Lim Joo Kiat as a new elected National President and Mr. Lin Keah Chye as Secretary General.
Today, Y.M.M. stands as a national organisations with 861 branches throughout Malaysia and a national membership of more than 100,000.
¡@Y.M.M. LOGOCentre of the Y.M.M. logo is a big cycle which represents Y.M.M. philosophy of striving for self-reliance and catalysing social development.
In the core of this big cycle is the English abbreviation of Y.M.M., which reflects Y.M.M. aspiration as the driving force of a new era.
Its background is blue and white. Blue representing service, participation, dignity and contribution while white represents purity and hopes.
¡@THE OBJECTIVES OF Y.M.M.
1. To undertake training and education of youth towards moulding of contemporary younger generation imbued with aspirations and dynamism.
2. To encourage and lead the younger generation in youth works and social service activities towards nation building.
3. To focus on and research into problems encountered by youth generally and further to implement such measures for the well-being of the younger generation.
4. To undertake study and research into theories of social development as guiding principles for long-terms efforts towards positive social changes.
5. To promote national unity and integration towards as harmonious and caring Malaysian society.
6. To participate in international youth arena with a view towards realisation of eace, Progress and Prosperity" through cultural exchanges and economic co-operation.
7. To uphold the Constitution of Malaysia and Rukun Negara and the United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Y.M.M. MOTTO
1. LOVE Y.M.M.
AND DEFEND IT OVERALL INTEREST;
2. ABIDE DISCIPLINE AND ESTABLISH GOOD IMAGE;
3. EDUCATE YOUTHS,
AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY;
4. BE SELF-RELIANT,
AND ENHANCE STATUS OF YOUTHS;
5. UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION,
AND PRESERVE HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM;
6. UNITE YOUTHS
AND BUILD A FAIR AND JUST SOCIETY.
Y.M.M. PHILOSOPHY
To engage in social work aimed at developing youth potential and direct their collective effort in order to bring about social changes and advancemant .
The philosophy of youth worker encompasses the principle of youth development as catalystic agent for social development . It covers two important aspects :
1. Cultural aspect : To strive for good values so as to attain mature personality .
2. Professionalism : To equip social workers with the right skills and high standards of morality .
¡@POLITICAL ROLE OF Y.M.M.
Article 6 of Y.M.M. constitution stipulated that Y.M.M. is a non- political organisation . It neither affiliates to any of the political parties nor involves itself in any of their activities . This clearly indicates that Y.M.M. has confined itselfto the realm of education in political issues .
Y.M.M. ACTIVITIES
¡@1. TRAINING
* Youth leadership training programmes
* Youth worker training programmes
* Training of trainers programmes
* Workshops
* Counsellors training programmes
* Forums, seminars
* Training consultancy and guidance
* Motivation seminars
* Forums on current affairs
* National youth campign
* Holiday workshops
* Public speaking sessions
* Master of ceremony training programmes
* Student counselling
2. SOCIAL PARTICIPATION
* Community services
* Rural area services
* Social awareness lectures
* Blood donation
* Visit to old folk homes and orphanages
* Participate in other organisations activities
* Outstanding Youth Award
3. RECREATION AND CULTUR AL ACTIVITIES
* International and local youth exchange programmes
* Sports
* Concerts
* Gatherings
* Picnic
* Dances
* Programme ongsi Raya" ( Appendix 1 )
4. ACADEMIC
* Promote youth work philoshophy
* Academic competition
* Publication, newsletters and books on youth
* Essay writing competition
* Debates
* Chinese Art painting competition
* National Art teaching workshop
NATIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT
Y.M.M. plays important role in the Malaysian Youth Council
( Majlis Belia Malaysia ) , and is recognised by the Ministry Of Youth And Sports .
Y.M.M. involves its active members to participate in the following programmes :
1. Overseas youth exchange programmes in Japan , Korea ,United Kingdom , Philippines , Singapore, Australia, Indonesia , Pakistan and India .
2. Asian youth exchange programmes ---- visits to several countries for 60 days.
3. National youth exchange programmes exchange programmes between East and West Malaysia .
4. Free vocational training courses .
5. Seminars organised by the Institute Of Policy Research ( I.K.D. )
6. Young entrepreneur loan projects .
7. Youth business loan pojects .
8. Youth training programmes .
9. Youth technical training programmes .
10 Seminar and training programmes .
11. Youth Days .
12. National Youth Camping.
13.International Youth Rally.
14. Leadership training .
15. Financial Provision for activities .
16.Financial Provision for youth programmes.
In 1991 , Y.M.M. was authorised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to organise a National Blood Donatian Compaign , being part of 1991 Youth Day celebration programmes. Y.M.M. is honoured to have the opportunity to organise activities towards a caring society in Malaysia.
RECOGNITION TO Y.M.M.
In 1991 , as a recognition of its active participation, Y.M.M. was awarded the rime Minister Quality Performance Award" , Y.M.M. is the only Chinese-based Youth organisation which received such an award .
In 1993, Y.M.M. once again in the rime Minister Quality Performance Award" and successfully entered final round . Y.M.M. was the sole youth organization that has gained entry to the final round of the content and was awarded with 4th position from a total of 13 organisation that took part in the said final . The said achievement has prompted the leadership and members of Y.M.M. to achieve higher goals in future .
In 1997, as a recognition to its contribution in blood donation, Y.M.M. was granted the Best Performance Award ( Organization ) by Ministry of Health.