The Star R. AGE Kindness Workshop (3/11/2020)

After a Zoom party with national gymnast Farah Ann and MMA fighter Ann Osman, it's time to head over for a kindness workshop and there is a special guest appearance, who is it? Let you know in a bit. It's back to the #StandTogether Kindness Workshop! Unfortunately, my computer is not kind to me today because the camera is not working but luckily my iPad is there as a backup. 

We are asked to take four pieces of A4 papers which will be used for each segment of the workshop. The first segment is drawing ourselves, the challenge is we have to use our non-dominant hand, dominant hand and one part with our eyes closed while drawing ourselves. I didn't do well with my eyes closed while drawing. Next, we are broken into groups to breakout rooms. My first group is a bit quiet because none of us spoke up, I have to be the first one to initiate the conversation, it lasted for five minutes, it's really short. 

We are back to the main room again for another activity. I participated in this game before at the Zoom party. We are given a statement while the cameras are turned off, and turn on if that statement describes us. Again, we are broken out into another breakout room to discuss the forms of bullying and which form of bullying is the most common of all. My teammates Emily, Khadijah and Mellisa agree that cyberbullying is the most common of all because we can get behind the computer to type out anything, but please don't, use it to spread kindness. 

Next, we take a third A4 paper and tear it half. One is to draw which represents "Me Also" meaning "I have been through this before", the other paper is a heart shape which represents "Love La!" meaning "You are brave" and other empathy words within. It's like social media "likes". We use it for the Storytelling and Gratitude segments. By the time we head back to the main room, Chole is telling how much she enjoys the Kindness Workshop, everyone's hearts just melted in an instant. The innocence of a child teaches us so much about empathy and kindness.  

Remember I told you about the special guest appearance? He's a #StandTogether ambassador and UNICEF Malaysia's youth ambassador, can you guess who is it! Yes! The one and only Ismail Izzani! He shared his experiences about kindness in his life, especially his English teacher, Teacher Gina, who constantly believed in him. That reminded me of some of my teachers in high school as well. 

There is a Q & A session from the kindness advocates. Being a singer, Ismail sang a few lines of Bidadari (Angel) for us. At the end of the workshop, a group photo is taken and that wraps up the English version of the kindness workshop. Now, I'm officially a kindness advocate! Thank you #StandTogether team for organising the workshop and made some amazing friends too! 

Have courage and be kind. 

The Star Rage Stand Together Zoom Party (27/10/2020)

#StandTogether Kindness Leader zoom party with Malaysia national gymnast Farah Ann and MMA fighter Ann Osman 

The #StandTogether campaign organised by Star R. AGE is back for its third consecutive year. Traditionally, it was supposed to be held in the first week of April as with previous years, it also is known as national kindness week. But then the covid-19 pandemic came and everything was put on hold.

During the first week of April, we did ask to send in some photos to share some of our kindness stories during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. I did send a picture of my grandma holding an iPad reading The Star online mobile app because at that time our newspaper delivery person told us no newspapers will be sent to us for eight days, for her to keep up with the news I have to teach her on how to use the mobile app of The Star. 

Five months later, #StandTogether is back on full swing! This time is conducted virtually. As always, we were given a challenge each day to perform an act of kindness. The first day was easy - being kind to ourselves, and the second day was showing gratitude to our family and friends. 

The third day, it got a little tricky because it was supporting a local business. I thought of the pau shop that my aunt always goes to buy my favourite char siew pau and lau sar pau. The fourth day is being kind to our frontline heroes! I have friends who are working as front liners, I dropped them a message to say thank you for keeping us safe amid the pandemic. The last day is giving a compliment to someone by spreading kindness online. 

That's not all! They have a series of virtual workshops for students and teachers to join in the kindness revolution across Malaysia. There is a Google classroom too for students to take part in, unfortunately, I'm over the age limit, but it's okay, more kindness events are on the way one of them is a Zoom party. Today's Zoom party we are honoured to invite our national athletes - gymnast Farah Ann and MMA fighter Ann Osman. 

I was star struck when I see Farah Ann on the computer screen because she is my hero. I met her once on campus three years ago when we had a homecoming ceremony for the students and alumni of Sunway University College, who represented the country at the SEA Games in 2017. Both ladies share the experiences they faced in schools and in the sports world, especially when it comes to online, there is so much negativity and how they overcome it with kindness and empathy. 

Kindness and empathy - are the two traits, which most of us find them to difficult to put into practice in our daily lives. It's all about taking a huge step with courage. As a Kindness Leader, I hope that we could create a kinder society in Malaysia to see the goodness and magic. Like I always use this as my life quote: Have courage and be kind. Looking forward to the next kindness revolution. 

If you want to know more about the Kindness Revolution, click on the links below to find out how we can be a Kindness Leader: 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/StandTogetherMY/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/standtogethermy/

 

UNAM Youth Assembly Conferece: iGem Mini Youth MUN 2020 (21/10/2020-22/10/2020)

 After one and a half months of hiatus, it's time to head back to the Youth Assembly organised by United Nations Association Malaysia, also known as UNAM youth. I was browsing through my Instagram account and it popped out of nowhere that there was another UNAM Youth Assembly, this time to include sustainability education into the Malaysian education system. I was filling up the form, I didn't realise it was two days from the conference. It was a last-minute sign-up. 

How am I going to prepare a position paper in two days, I thought. Usually, position papers in normal MUN conferences, we would take weeks to get it done and hand them to our respective chairs. I quickly messaged Tuck and Ernest - they are the chairs for the conferences, on submitting the position papers, and to my relief, we didn't need to hand in one because it was a mini-conference.

On the day of the conference, it's really a mini one, with only three delegates - Rueben, Roshen and me. For everyone's benefit, we went through the rules of procedures on how the youth assembly would run. In this case, we were representing ourselves as youths, how are we going to convince the "big people" to implement sustainability education into the Malaysian education system. It was firing in the beginning, until the end, we were starting to slow down as we were running out of topic during the General Speakers List (GSL). Our chair, Tuck, gave us the remaining hours of the council to write a resolution. 

The second day, things got a little better because we have our second chair, Ernest, also known as Sherlock, came in as a delegate, alongside Sarah, that did spice up the council for a while. When Tuck asked about delegate to put in the GSL, I decided to step back and let the newcomers - Rueben and Roshen to hop on. We did have a little "controversial topic" in council which really got us into full debate mode, but the rest of the session was really chill. This is the most chill youth assembly I have been to yet compared to the first one on the status of Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia which was a little intense. 

Finally, we got into voting on the draft resolution as a whole. Roshen and I spoke for it while Ernest and Sandra spoke against. In the end, we passed the resolution! I amended a couple of clauses in the draft resolution, which was a first. Usually, I would just comment on the resolution. I did send an amendment once but it failed. Throughout this two-day conference, I learned a lot on climate change and environmental sustainability. I have to admit that I'm not an outdoor person to appreciate Mother Nature, hopefully, after the pandemic is over, we could go out to feel the grass and dirt like how we used to and plan a new seed to brand new dawn. 

 I'm happy to be back on board to help out newcomers. Thank you, Ernest (Sherlock) and Tuck for guiding us, looking forward to the next youth assembly. 

iGem Mini Youth MUN 2020

World Mental Health Day 2020 (10/10/2020)

 Hi, it's been a while since the last post was written. How are you guys feeling? I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during the pandemic. 

I'm going to talk about a passion that I have been championing which is mental health. Now, the first question is: Who inspired me to be passionate about mental health? They are Britain's TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Prince William and Kate Middleton, they and the Duke of Sussex - Prince Harry set up a mental health campaign called Heads Together. The Duchess of Cambridge is the brainchild of the campaign. 

My curiosity on mental health was during my freshmen year in college when I heard a couple of suicidal attempts. It was a "culture shock" for me. I didn't bother about that much on mental health. A year later, I was browsing through the online HELLO! magazine, a headline caught my attention on The Duke and Duchess Cambridge and Prince Harry started the Heads Together campaign, I clicked on to the article to read about the new project, that made me learn about more about mental health. 

In 2017, my passion for mental health started to grow. I realised that raising awareness is to pick the right place to speak about and who we are talking to. My university course mates thought I was having a mental health issue that I ended up at the Head of Department's office for questioning. I still remembered it was a week before the final examination of the very first semester in university. I was thinking "Oh gosh, what did I do wrong?" In the end, I decided to put that behind me and continue to champion the cause of mental health on my own. 

2018 was an important year for me because it was the year I turned 21 - the road to adulthood. I promised myself to champion mental health before that big milestone in November. If I want to voice out, where should I go? Model United Nations (MUN) came into mind and off I went! I was happy that I have a voice out my passion for mental health. Thanks to that, I could speak openly without anyone's judgements. 

Looking back now, I'm still going to champion mental health, especially in children because it is important to start them young on the importance on mental health, how could we identify the symptoms of any mental health problems. It's okay to say! If I can normalise mental health, you can too! Let's break the stigma of mental health once and for all! 

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