MONMUN 2020 (28/8/2020-30/8/2020)

 It's back to Dewan Rakyat, this time let us set back the time into the late 1990s when the Asian financial crisis affected Malaysia. Yes, it was back in 1997 (that was the year I was born. Oops, my age is revealed!). Anyway, I'm in the Gagasan Rakyat party coalition, playing DAP veteran - YB Tan Seng Giaw, the MP of Kepong. 

As with any Dewan Rakyat councils I have been to, this Dewan Rakyat council is special because it connects with the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 till 1998, it's a crisis council! Throughout my experiences as a MUN-er, the crisis councils are always major favourites among delegates. It's always packed up in physical conferences. I asked my fellow delegates why crisis councils are always the favourite? They said: "Because there is always drama!" I could imagine how intense and full of drama the council would be. 

First time for everything! Each MP receives their personal profile to achieve three objectives: primary, secondary, and secret. Besides that, there is a brief on the MPs' characters. In fact, a few days before the council, one of the MPs texted me on a strategic move in council. I'm speechless because this is my first time in a crisis council throughout my MUN career. The key is trust in crisis councils.  

Even before the council starts, we have to face a fictional death scene, in this case, the MP of Permatang Pauh takes over the place as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. For the sake of Malaysians, we put our political differences aside and start to draft a model bill. 

The MP of Sg. Siput is really passionate on riverbanks and astronomy, how can we focus on these two when we have a financial crisis to handle? Things get heating up when MPs from both sides start to tear each other apart until the Kak Long Speaker has to calm the situation, while I'm having fun to listen to both sides of MPs arguing at each other, just like the real Dewan Rakyat. 

One point, the BN government blames the Opposition party for not contributing to the writing of the model bill. I quickly switch on my microphone to clarify that the Opposition did contribute to Bill. "Yes, YB Kepong, we appreciate your efforts. What about your fellow Opposition MPs, did they contribute?" the PM asks. My answer is I will do the best to convince my fellow Opposition MPs to be proactive in the council. 

The drama continues with the YB Sg. Siput being put into "jail" which we called the matahari. Not long after, YB Pekan is put into the matahari, and he was sacked by the PM, switching the role of independent as Ambassador Pekan for USSR. There is a "love story" written by some of the MPs, luckily the Kak Long Speaker bans it. Phew! 

It is more exciting when we are running for a virtual "election". Of course, we have to draft an "election manifesto". When we will know the results of our virtual "election"? That will be revealed during the closing ceremony. In the meantime, we are voting the bill as a whole and we passed the model bill. During the closing ceremony, awards are given out to delegates in each council. When it comes to our Historical Dewan Rakyat, the "polls" are revealed. Eventually, for my character, 11% of the votes which is okay. But here's the plot twist, none of us did win the virtual "election", YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin comes out nowhere! In real life, he is our current and eighth Prime Minister. 

It's my first ever crisis council in my MUN career, first time ever facing a fictional death, first time ever running a virtual "election". Three firsts in historical crisis council. 

This is Kar Marn, representing YB Tan Seng Giaw, MP of Kepong (Gagasan Rakyat) from Historical Dewan Rakyat Council (HDRC) signing off. Tomorrow is Malaysia's 63rd Independence Day, wishing all Malaysians Selamat Hari Kebangasaan! 

First crisis council 

Taylor Lakeside MUN 2020 (14/8/2020-16/8/2020)

With two international MUN during the last two months, it's time to head back to the Malaysian MUN scene. I'm playing YB Hannah Yeoh, MP of Segambut in the Dewan Rakyat council. Hours before the council, the delegates who are playing PH MPs have a quick meeting on Discord to strategise our plan on keeping the Perikatan Nasional (PN) in check, that is our role as the Opposition Party. 

Our Deputy Tuan Speaker explains how the Dewan Rakyat work as a whole and have to imagine that we are in the real Dewan Rakyat, even though it is online. At 3.30pm, the opening ceremony begins.YB Syed Syaddiq, the MP of Muar is one of the guest speakers. He emphasises that us youths are leaders of today, we can practice our rights as young Malaysians. One of them is registering as a voter for the next general election, we can also get in connection with an NGO on the topics we are passionate in. 

It's time for Dewan Rakyat showdown! Some of the MPs go overboard by "insulting" the delegate who is playing MP of Langkawi, Tun Dr Mahatir. To keep peace in council, my character as MP of Segambut request the Deputy Speaker for the MPs to "retract" (tarik balik) their statements. One point, I got "fired" as well, but that's how Dewan Rakyat works. 

The remaining half an hour of the council, MPs are broken into two voice rooms to discuss on their respective stances. On the second day, the debate continues and it's getting more dramatic than ever! There is some drama between the MP of Semporna and MP of Keningau on the opposition's group chat. We did our best to back up MP of Keningau but it didn't work out. I did the best by playing the peacemaker while keeping in character to let the drama cool off. At the end of the second day, the first model bill which is the RUU 355 "passed" in the House.  

To bring out our best form, the opposition party, Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs had a late-night meeting on how to "attack" our PN counterparts. Having done Dewan Rakyat council at SUNMUN 2019, the MPs are reminded to keep in character at all times and don't need to oppose everything on the government side. As mentioned earlier, the role of the Opposition is to keep the government in check.  Although I'm worn out, as an MP, got to serve the role for Malaysians. 

The third and final day is going into the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP). At the beginning of the council, every MP requires to speak on the bill as a whole regardless of government or Opposition. At one point, my character is accused by MP Langkawi of not following the Constitution. No matter in power or Opposition, each and every MP knows well about the Constitution. The third principle of the Rukun Negara: Keluruhan Perlembagaan (Supremacy of the Constitution). The MP of Kota Bahru comes into defending me, stating that each MP has their own personal causes. 

The debate continues, and we manage to pass the second bill which is a first in this virtual Dewan Rakyat council. It is an honour to serve as an MP in TLMUN 2020, Hope we could get back into the physical MUN where all the real actions happen. I want to thank my Kak Long Speaker, Amirah and Deputy Speaker, Akshel, for leading the virtual Dewan Rakyat. A big shoutout to all the MPs, especially my Pakatan Harapan MPs! 

Congratulations to Chris, Ke Wen and the TLMUN 2020 team! 

This is Kar Marn, representing YB Hannah Yeoh, MP of Segambut (PH) from Dewan Rakyat signing off! 

MUN Reunion: Melaka Day Out (7/8/2020)

It's been a long 11 months since I saw my MUN buddies. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, we were stuck at home for almost three months since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March 2020. Now it is Recovery MCO (RMCO), we can get out of the house and have a cuti-cuti Malaysia, be it in our hometowns or travelling domestically. For Katelyn, it's a surprise visit from her MUN friends who are on a day trip to Melaka. 

Initially, I want to join them for lunch at the famous chicken rice ball shop along Jonker Street but lunch is served, you guess it, it's chicken rice too! After lunch, it's time to head to The Daily Fix for some afternoon tea. There is traffic congestion along the way, but manage to get there just in time. As I'm about to reach the cafe, I give Caylene a call. After my folks dropped me off, Caylene takes me inside, but before that, we have to fill up our names and contact number in adhering the SOPs. 

"Emily, Ke Wen, Gro Wen and Chris are inside," Caylene leads us to our seating spot. After settling down, I ordered a cup of iced chocolate to ward off the intense Melaka heat and take a bite of the leftover fries. We take a picture of the cafe's iconic plate decorations which have some Baba Nyonya elements. We head to Sun May Hiong Satay House to meet Chia Yong. 

When we have a table full of MUN-ers, MUN is not far away from our thoughts. In between, I lost count how many satay sticks I have eaten but it doesn't matter because satay is an all-time Malaysian favourite. We head for the second round of afternoon tea, unfortunately, one of the cafes is about to close as it is neared closing time, so we head to One Zo for milk tea. 

We can't simply end the day with Nyonya food right? We made a reservation dinner at Aunty Lee. Emily and I actually go crazy on the chap chye because, in The Little Nyonya, there is an iconic scene which featured the dish. Besides that, we also have pai tee (top hat) as an appetiser, ikan lemak nenas and fried chicken as the main course. We want to have cendol as a dessert but our tummies are super happy as we have been food hunting the whole day. There is always a next time. 

Looking forward to more day out like this, hopefully, we will do the same in KL as well! 

Locations: 

The Daily Fix Cafe 

Address: 55, Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), Malacca City

Sun May Hiong Satay House 

Address: 50/50A, Jalan Kota Laksamana 1/1 Taman Kota Laksamana Melaka 

One Zo 

Address: No-19, Jalan KPKS 5-A, Kompleks Perniagaan Al-azim, 75200 Kota Syahbandar, Malacca

Aunty Lee Restaurant 

Address: 385, Jalan Ujong Pasir, Taman Sinn, 75050 Melaka