The Malaysian Insight

CHILDREN should be taught governance, political science and their voting rights, said Jocelyn Yow, whose story of a child of immigrants made good in US politics has inspired people around the world.

Yow, who became the mayor of Eastvale in California last month at the age of 25, said in an online dialogue session with Malaysian youth that politics was not a subject that was discussed at home or in school when she was growing up in Kedah.

“I had zero ideas about politics aside from the fact that Dr Mahathir Mohamad was our prime minister. Occasionally, I would see some flags around during election season and that was really it,” she said.

The session on the topic “Youth Participatory in Public Governance: How Do We Drive Robust Changes?” was hosted by the Higher Education Malaysia Association.

Yow said the youth must take an interest in politics so that they can decide their own futures.

“A friend of mine described this to me: ‘Would you have your grandma pick your outfit for you?’ I would not. So why not pick your own outfit?

“It is the same with policy, would you want someone who might not be around in 20 to 30 years to make decisions for you for your future? No, absolutely not.”

She urged young people to engage in political conversations and parents to foster a constructive environment at home for their children to appreciate and understand such issues.

“I have a kid, he is only seven months old, he is only a baby. 

“I brought him to the polls when I voted last November. I made it a point to bring him because I want it to become a habit.”

She said she ran for the city council because it was the best way to way to learn about politics.

“The reality is that politics affects our everyday life.” 

Yow was elected to the Eastvale city council in 2018.

‘My election gives people hope’

Her parents are not yet US citizens and Yow said she wanted to be a voice for people like them.

Her mother was a Vietnamese refugee and her father, a Malaysian who emigrated to the US.

“It is my responsibility to be their voice. I am not going to lie that it is really hard.

“You still have some people who hold to the belief that ‘this land is ours, who are you?’ and people who see folks like me as foreigners. 

“But there are others who can relate. A lot of them, though they are white, have immigrant families and went through very similar experiences.”

Yow made history by becoming the youngest woman of colour to be elected mayor of Eastvale.

“When President Trump got elected, it really ignited a whole lot of people to run for office. 

“We are definitely seeing a trend in who is serving in local offices. 

“I think it is for the better to have more young women and young people serving.”

Yow said Eastvale was a young city of 10 years that started with dairy farms and is now home to over 75,000 people. 

Of the attention she has received, she feels it is due to the lack of diversity in leadership in the political sphere.

“We do not have a lot of moms in office, or minority women in office, but we are also getting more and more young people. 

“It is a work in progress and my election gives people hope.” 

On how Malaysia can remain competitive on the global stage, she said Malaysians are gifted with open mindedness and the ability to adapt.

It would also be prudent to invest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, she said. – January 4, 2021.