Internship Testimonial

This time last year, I had an opportunity to intern at the Subang Jaya State Assemblyman Office for two months. What triggered this decision was an "identity crisis" that I experienced, I was uninspired & felt void of purpose, not knowing what to do with my life/future. (I'm sure many of you can relate). Initially hesitant due to my lack of political awareness and understanding, it ended up as one of the most valuable experience in my life.

I previously always carried a “bystander” approach towards the idea of “patriotism”, playing the “young” & “none of my business” card whenever it came to politics. Ignorance also led me to comment critically towards the happenings in the state despite not knowing what I was talking about, because it felt like the socially perceived right thing to do. Upon completing my internship though, I gained this sense of belonging and purpose & learnt that there's always a place for me to serve in my community, there's just so so much more to be done. I also left with a new-found sense of affection towards a land – Sabah (my home) and of course, Malaysia.

During my internship, I was exposed to the working mechanisms of governance in a state as a first-hand witness. I finally cleared this hazy idea & understood the connecting dots between a citizen (myself) and those who promised to be my representative of my voice in this country – our nation leaders. I now actually know who to go to whenever I hear/encounter an issue instead of feeling helpless all the time. I also learnt to be a smarter reader - to not naively believe everything I see on the news/social medias, & be baited into believing what others want me to believe. Many truths can be twisted, and many good deeds go unannounced.

One of my undertakings during the internship included engaging with the residents, finding out what their needs are and then work towards meeting those needs. The system and concept is as simple and organic as that, yet we still find so so many even basic needs unmet e.g. poverty, lack of education, statelessness... To achieve our desired results, it’s a no-brainer that we’ve got to do honour legality to be able to fulfill the equation.

Transformation of Malaysia may take generations. But change can also begin when we choose to take ownership of our own individual capacity as a citizen of Malaysia to do our parts in making our country a better home during our lifetime (whilst paving ways for our next generation as well). If you want to see change, you’ve got to take matters into your own hands and play your part.

Be it
- to be a part of politics
- to educate yourselves about politics rather than relying on hearsay
- to do your job with excellence and integrity
- to do an internship!!!
- to be kind to one another in your daily engagements & reflecting them in our laws
- or simply to continue believing and hoping in this country - it is all a seed worth sowing.

Though mostly perceived as ‘flawed’, I consider it our privilege to be able to experience this season of hustle and bustle that’s going to make history in our nation. Having the foretaste of it may seem daunting, but we know that the best has yet to come! So don't give up, make yourselves useful & do something different with your life today. :) (it's easier than you think!)