Learning the ropes to become future leaders
STUDENTS had the opportunity to learn various skills at the Malaysia Future Leaders’ School (MFLS).
They were in Cohort Two at the Nation Building Camp in Ulu Sepri, Rembau, Negri Sembilan from April 14 to 23.
A total of 121 students were accompanied by their respective teachers for the 10-day camp.
They were selected from government and private secondary schools in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Negri Sembilan.
The aim of the course organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry is to equip the students with the knowledge of jungle survival, water safety and leadership skills.
It was also to instil courage and determination among the teenagers.
The camp was conducted by experienced instructors from the Prime Minister’s Department and coaches from the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Matrix Global School’s Monique Ong Wen Hui said: “I enjoyed the group camping because no matter how tired we were, we still helped and supported one another.”
“It promoted camaraderie among the group members and brought us closer to each other.
“The camp helped to boost our confidence and taught us how to use the leadership qualities we learnt there,” said Monique.
The activities within the camp helped participants to build their character and thinking skills.
“The situations we went through required us to apply these leadership skills on the spot for the benefit of those in our group,” she added.
A student at SMK St Paul, Thevadarshan Vasuthevan described the camp as an enlightening experience.
“One example was the solo camp in the jungle.
“This is where all of us had to sit in our fixed positions for 12 hours and listen to all kinds of animal noises in the jungle in the pitch darkness,” he said.
He also enjoyed the group camping near the Rembau Water Dam.
“The river walk was exciting where we had to balance ourselves while crossing.
“The scariest activity was the flying fox where we were on a cable in harnesses.
“We had to make sure we didn’t fall to the ground,” he added.
From the 35,000 trained students nationwide, the shortlisted 200 best students will be sent overseas for their tier three leadership training.
Tier one is in school where these students were identified at the school level and sent to tier two at Rembau camp.
Tier three is where they are part of the cream of the crop.
This is a new concept where theory is combined with jungle survival and camping skills to produce our future Malaysian leaders.
They comprise fifth formers from the whole country.
They are in camps held simultaneously in various states including Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Terengganu, Melaka and Johor.