By Hessa Kawthar
GOMBAK: 21 March 2022: Vulnerable youths who receive immense moral support from family and society to rise from their darker pasts, and to avoid making wrong choices in life are considered lucky, a webinar was told on Sunday.
Mohammad Rizan, the founder of Projek Belia Mahir, is the recipient of various awards including National Youth Award and ASEAN Youth Award 2011.
As an ex-student of Henry Gurney Teluk Mas, Melaka himself, he shared his personal view and first hands-on experience involving this group on the webinar titled “Vulnerable Youth: From Different Lenses”.
Mohammad Rizan stressed that many adults fail to understand and acknowledge the vulnerable youths’ potential to contribute to society in many skilful areas due to the stigma.
In his speech, he reckoned that this group is ostracised although they are supposedly given the chance to contribute and even be an icon in our community.
“This would deteriorate the vulnerable youths’ confidence to rebuild their lives, they would always think of negative consequences and what society would label them when they want to seek for a job. This causes loss of moral support to the vulnerable youths,” Mohammad Rizan added.
Meanwhile, Arief Hazami Bin Hussein, an advocate and solicitor, who is also the author of the book “Peguam Kriminal” said that vulnerable youths had undergone many physical and psychological challenges, thus they deserve a second chance in life.
Arief also mentioned a few cases that he had to handle involving the vulnerable youths.
“Some are lucky because they have their parents to support them, but some do not,” said Arief.
Both speakers concurred that society should be given an exposure about vulnerable youths in order to be more understanding towards their life circumstances.
The Webinar was joined by 528 participants, and was held live on YouTube channel of INSPIRE TV which served as a platform to educate people about this group from multiple perspectives.***