First KL youth dialogue
KUALA LUMPUR: The first-ever Kuala Lumpur International Youth Discourse (KLIYD) will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
Its chairman, Khairul Azwan Harun, said the forum would gather experts in legislation, civil society, defence, security, as well as youth.
The event, which aims to combat extremism and disenchantment among youth, will serve as a platform to discuss issues, pave the way for dialogue and encourage youngsters’ participation in the government’s National Transformation plan.
The full-day event, to be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, features keynote speeches by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will close the event.
Razak School of Government is the event’s strategic partner while the New Straits Times Press is the media partner.
Khairul, who spoke to the New Straits Times here yesterday, said he would highlight the plight of the Rohingya and the need for Asean to address their decades-long humanitarian crisis.
He said the lack of attention on the persecution of the community was a growing threat in the region, which could be capitalised by the Islamic State (IS) terror group.
“The anger over decades of hurt and violence inflicted on them could prompt terror groups to disseminate their propaganda. And, they may carry out acts of violence or terror.
“While Asean is concentrating on IS in the Middle East, terrorists could easily use their propaganda to manipulate the Rohingya,” Khairul said, adding that the situation was critical as there were Rohingya communities in Asean countries outside Myanmar.
He said Dr Surin Pitsuwan, who was former Asean secretarygeneral and former Thai foreign minister, would share his perspective on the matter.
Khairul said representatives from the Myanmar embassy here had been invited to attend the forum.
The Umno Youth vicechief said he would raise the issues and motions related to the Rohingya to the Umno and Barisan Nasional Youth platforms, and planned to highlight the issue in Asean youth leadership forums.
Speakers for the event include those from conflict areas, such as the Balkans, the Middle East and former conflict zones.
Khairul said a former IS captive was one of the confirmed speakers.
Some 800 people are expected to attend the forum, including members of the opposition.
The event, themed “Empowering Youth for a Safer and Better Future”, will also discuss geopolitical issues and focus on security, sovereignty, democracy, cultures and the role of religion.