- 2 days ago
Tengku Yasmin Nastasha of CPSM-KL opens up about the emotional toll of protecting Malaysia’s most vulnerable children — and the urgent risks they face today. From online grooming to abuse within care homes, she confronts the issues many are too afraid to talk about. This is a raw, honest look at what it really takes to fight for a safer future.
Category
🎵
MusicTranscript
00:00Speak up, even if the perpetrators are your own family.
00:0380% of the time, abuse happens within the family itself.
00:07Everybody wants to pass the bait and, oh, it's your responsibility.
00:11Everybody wants to shift the blame, never taking responsibility.
00:15There's a lot of cases that goes unreported.
00:17You have to always raise awareness and ask people to come forward.
00:21It's always victim blaming.
00:22You kena ni because you pakai macam ni.
00:25You because you naughty.
00:26That has to change.
00:27I want every child to be safe, to be in an environment where they are safe, to give them a voice.
00:39Welcome to another episode of Life Confessions.
00:42And as usual, we have an amazing guest who join us.
00:45And today we have Tengku Yasmin Nastasya.
00:48She is the Project Director for Children's Protection Society Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
00:54Thank you for joining us.
00:55Yeah, thank you for having me on your show.
00:59We're so excited today, especially because it seems almost like a coincidence that what happened yesterday,
01:08at the time of recording, the incident that happened yesterday, the stabbing at the school in the Clang Valley,
01:15where one life was lost and it has affected the lives of so many people.
01:21Before we get more of your thoughts and insights into that, let's first find out what first drew you to the field of child protection?
01:31And was there a particular moment or story that made you realise this is what you wanted to dedicate your life to?
01:38What drew me to child protection, actually, growing up, I've always been involved in community work because I would follow my mother to go to her NGOs.
01:52We'll go to the differently abled communities, we'll go to the orphanages, we'll go to the underprivileged families, you know, to help out.
02:02So that taught me empathy at a very young age.
02:06Even though I think at that point of time, I don't even know what empathy meant, you see.
02:12So when I see what she was doing, I always wanted to do the same, you know, I wanted to help others however I can.
02:21So with child protection, it's just that I think there is a lack of child protection awareness in Malaysia.
02:29So that's what brought me to advocate for child rights.
02:34You mentioned that your mother is the person who was exposing you to the issues surrounding you.
02:43And the elephant in the room is that your mum is just right there next to us right now, a little off camera.
02:51Describe that relationship that you have with your mother.
02:54She is my role model.
02:57She's also, I am a lawyer because I followed in her footsteps.
03:05Right.
03:06At first, it's just because I wanted to dress up how she would dress up to go to court.
03:11I would find it pretty black and whites with pearls and all that with a rope on.
03:16So I was like, you know, I want to be like you because I really looked up to my mother.
03:21And then everything just fell into place.
03:24At first, I wanted to do fashion, marketing and all this.
03:27And then I got offered to do law.
03:30And also, I was like, she was like, take it.
03:31I was like, okay.
03:32That is a big difference.
03:35Yeah.
03:35From fashion to law.
03:38Yes.
03:39What was the ultimate reason for you making that decision?
03:45Ultimate reason?
03:46First, she was like, if you want to go to fashion school, you've funded yourself.
03:55But yeah, I always knew I wanted to help the people however I can.
04:00Right.
04:00So that's what led me to, okay, I want to do law.
04:04I want to help.
04:04I want to at least try to help some people.
04:07And from law to also now including the Children's Protection Society, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
04:12So has there ever been a child or a case that stayed with you long after it ended?
04:17One that changed the way you approach your work perhaps?
04:21There has been many cases.
04:23But one that really, really, what do you call it, affected me would be, remember the Noorin Jaslin case?
04:35Right.
04:36If you remember, she was killed around, she was in 2007 around, at the time I was around her age and all that.
04:45You know, she was found in a body bag with, you know, timon and all in her age.
04:51She was abused, yeah.
04:52So she was sexually abused.
04:55So that was like, you know, why isn't, why aren't we doing something, you know?
05:02Even back then and now, there's so many stories of abuse and all that.
05:06So I want to advocate for that and talk about that.
05:10Start the conversations, you see?
05:11You know, CPS Malaysia KL recently launched a program, actually, that was targeted at helping teens.
05:20Can you tell us more about that program?
05:21So that program is called Program Kewimbawaan Remaja.
05:25So we started it off in Ceremban.
05:28And then we've gone to Pahang, we've gone to KL.
05:33Yeah, Pahang, Ceremban, Pahang, Negeri Semilan and KL.
05:36So what we do is that we teach the teens, it's actually not just teenagers, it's pre-teens as well.
05:47Right.
05:47So we teach them what are their rights, what do they have to do, recognize what are unsafe touches and all this.
05:56And speak up, even if the perpetrators are your own families.
06:02Because 80% of the time, sexual abuse happens in the family, within the family itself.
06:10Right, which is such a shocking statistic.
06:12Yeah, it is.
06:13And then, so whenever we go for, we do this program, we'll invite D11 from Bukit Aman.
06:18So, they would give their talks and they would give their data, show real cases.
06:25Because, you know, we can advocate and tell them, oh, do this, do that, and all this is what you have to do.
06:31But kids, they have to see it to believe it, you see.
06:34So, yeah, it's not something distant anymore.
06:38When you bring this, they'll see, oh, actually, this could happen to me or it's happening to me.
06:45So, in this program, we get, not, they'll come after the program finishes and they'll ask, you know, actually, I've been experienced this, what do we do and all that.
06:57So, we tell, we would teach them, you know, this, you have to go to the police or go to the hospital if you've been abused, get it checked, report it, you see.
07:06And then we'll connect with D11 to take the case, you know.
07:09Right.
07:10Yep.
07:10So, that's what we do.
07:11So, you've seen the moments where the realization settles in while they're there learning and you realize they may have been experiencing abuse without even realizing they were experiencing abuse.
07:24Yes.
07:24So, a lot of that happens, actually.
07:27Even at our shelter, there was a story that this girl was actually sexually abused by the father, but she didn't know.
07:34She thought that's how the father is showing her love.
07:36So, he was raping her when the siblings are out.
07:43The mother went to work because she didn't go to school because these are kids from the Pendalaman, you see, from the villages.
07:51Right.
07:51So, not all of them can go to school.
07:54So, she is left at home.
07:55Father comes back from work and then shows her love and then goes out and then comes back again.
08:02And it happened until somebody reported and we took them in and then we found out that, yeah, she was actually sexually abused by the father.
08:13Because everyone learns what normal is.
08:17Yeah.
08:17If your normal is what you're exposed to every day, you don't think it's extraordinary until you realize this isn't supposed to happen and the feelings that you're feeling are valid.
08:26Yes.
08:27This actually raises the issue of that incident that recently happened, which is the case of the four students who assaulted the girl in a classroom in a school in Malacca.
08:43When you hear stories like this, what is your initial reaction?
08:52Of course, we'll get, at first we'll get angry, like how can this happen in school, you know.
08:58But at the same time, we have to address the issue.
09:02The issue is that we are not monitoring the children.
09:05We are not teaching them the right values, what is wrong, what is right.
09:08You see, everybody wants to pass the bait and, oh, it's your responsibility or it's your responsibility and all that.
09:16Everybody wants to shift the blame, never taking responsibility.
09:21And then there's kids because they're, I think, overexposed because, you know, everybody has gadgets now and information is wide and they can get anything.
09:32They can see anything on their phones, you know, and there's no monitoring there, you see.
09:37So that's why it's happening.
09:39And then you have all this people trying to normalize sexual jokes and all that.
09:47So that's why people do this.
09:49That's why kids are doing this because we're normalizing it, you know.
09:53We don't say, no, this is wrong.
09:54You shouldn't make sexual jokes or rape jokes or anything of that sort, you see.
10:00And in your experience, when issues like this crop up, is there a wider feeling of responsibility that people want change or do people normally brush it under the rug and go, oh, this is a one-off, it won't happen again?
10:19This is my personal opinion.
10:22It's always when a case happens, oh, we have to do something about this.
10:27And then they'll talk about it for like a month or so.
10:31And then after that, nothing happens.
10:33That's why awareness has to be constant.
10:36Right.
10:36And awareness only has to lead to action.
10:42You cannot just raise awareness, but it has to come into action, you see.
10:46You should see whether when you're raising awareness, are people really changing and reporting?
10:53Yeah.
10:54Or is it just like, oh, okay, I know what to do, but I'm not doing it because it's not my problem.
10:59Right.
10:59Is it the story of the hour?
11:00Yeah.
11:00Like, oh, we're going to talk about it now because it's in the news.
11:03Yeah.
11:03And then just because something is no longer in the news doesn't make it any less important.
11:08Yes.
11:08And that's where people like you and societies and organizations like the Children's Protection Society Malaysia are there to constantly remind people of what is important and needs attention.
11:21So we have to keep the conversations going.
11:23Even when you think that there's no case just because it's not reported in the news.
11:28There's a lot of cases that goes unreported.
11:32So we have to always, always raise awareness and ask people to come forward.
11:38So in your experience, what are the most pressing protection risks for Malaysian children today?
11:43Because there's so many things to focus on.
11:46How do you, you know, which ones are the ones that require the most attention at the moment?
11:51Okay, I think that every issue, issues matter because each one leaves a scar, whether it's visible or not, that's a different thing.
12:00But we see a worrying rise in school violence and like the case of the girl being murdered in school yesterday and the rape case in Malacca.
12:12You see, there's a lot of anger in children nowadays.
12:15So that has to be addressed.
12:17We have to address that anger.
12:21Where is this pain coming from?
12:23How can they do such a thing, you see?
12:27Yeah.
12:27So we have to ask ourselves, what are we not doing?
12:30What are we not doing right or if we are not doing enough?
12:36But, and if you asked me a month ago, would I ever imagine that this murder case would happen in Malaysia?
12:43I would say no.
12:44Because it's very dystopian in Malaysia.
12:47Yeah.
12:47It's why we're talking about it.
12:49Yeah.
12:49Because it's shocked us.
12:51We never thought this would happen in our country.
12:54So it reflects something deeper.
12:56It's a systemic failure in our, it's a systemic failure.
13:01So we've neglected emotions, emotional education, and then we've replaced that with convenience and we've ignored red flags until a tragedy strikes.
13:14So, but at the same time, you know, we still have the online grooming that's really rampant and the predators are evolving quicker than our laws, you see.
13:25So that, that we have, we cannot ignore.
13:28So we have to, what do you call this?
13:33We have to address all this and we cannot put, oh, this is more important than that.
13:38When you talk about online sexual exploitation, including grooming, what, what do we need to look out for?
13:45We have to, this is what, whenever I talk to like the police and all that, we have to monitor what our children are doing online, the games that they play.
13:56So if it's interactive, when you can send messages, the kids can send chats, you know, like on roadblocks, can talk with the chat.
14:06And then they'll ask, these predators, they'll start by asking you to send pictures, I want to be your friend, add you on other social media or like WhatsApps and all that.
14:17So we have to monitor our, our children's phones and see who are they talking to.
14:21Any game that has a chat capability needs to be monitored.
14:26Yes.
14:26Because as easily as a child can be speaking to another child, an adult can be on the other end of that conversation.
14:34And an adult can be, who is motivated enough, can get a lot done.
14:42Yes.
14:43To manipulate a child.
14:44So a lot of that happens, you see.
14:46And then recently I interviewed D-11, Puan Siti.
14:50She said that, you know, I asked, you know, when the child meets the predator, why, why are they okay?
14:58But because they've been groomed, you see.
14:59So they accepted like, oh, it's okay.
15:02Even though he's not what he say he was.
15:06So it's okay.
15:07Right.
15:07Because there's already a connection.
15:09They feel like they've built a friendship, even though the person that they're meeting in real life isn't the person that they were told, but they formed a bond.
15:17Yeah.
15:18There's a bond already.
15:19So that's why they're okay with that.
15:20So how do you, one of the other issues that has cropped up is the possible abuse or neglect within shelters.
15:32How do you assess and manage the risks of internal abuse or neglect within shelters or care homes, given how vulnerable children are?
15:40So at CPS, we're very, we have, we take accountability and transparency.
15:47So there's always check and balances within our shelter.
15:51If a guardian or social workers like tiba-tiba terjerit dekat the kids, they would tell, one of the other workers would say, no, you should, you know, not do this and all that.
16:04And then if ever the children feel like, you know, they're not being treated right, they can always write anonymously to the shelter and we'll take that in.
16:15And then we also welcome unannounced interviews by the welfare department.
16:20They'll come in and then I'll talk to the children in private and they'll ask, you know, if there's any problems.
16:27So there's always accountability and transparency in our shelter.
16:34And because we cannot assume that our shelter is safe because we know all this, safety has to, cannot be assumed.
16:43Right.
16:44The shelters, tell us more about what types of children are allowed to stay or do you bring into the shelters?
16:54So at Children's Protection Society, Malaysia, the shelter is based in Penang.
17:00We take in children from the age of 5 to 17.
17:05But we, there are some cases that we take in younger ones if we have to.
17:12So we don't take orphan children actually.
17:15Okay.
17:15So what, who we take are kids who have been abused.
17:19Okay.
17:20Been neglected or abandoned.
17:23Right.
17:23So they have parents, but yeah, circumstances, parents, parents got care for them or parents have abused them.
17:31So that's, we take them in, we'll, we give them education, we give them love.
17:37That's important, you see, because they lack love.
17:40And then we'll send them for therapy, education.
17:43And yeah, we actually take care of everything, of their wellbeing.
17:49And then even like, there's tuitions and all, we'll send them to tuitions if they're sitting for major exams.
17:56They do outdoor activities.
17:59They play, they play pickle in the, at the shelter.
18:02Oh, pickleball, yeah.
18:02I went there, I was like, oh, I've never even played pickle.
18:05You see?
18:06So, but the children are happy there.
18:08Right.
18:08So I'm very happy to know that, you know, they're comfortable and safe in that shelter.
18:13So there are incidences where parents themselves have actually brought their kids over saying that they are incapable of raising the children themselves.
18:23Because in those cases, are parents still given access to the kids?
18:27Yes.
18:28Because they are incapable of being all that they want to be.
18:32So we try not to keep the children.
18:35We try to send them back.
18:39But before that, we'll, we have to ensure that their home is safe for them to go back.
18:45So there has, there has to be some changes made in their homes before they get sent back.
18:50But if the parents can't take them in, or, you know, they've been abused, then we'll care for them.
18:58And then if the children are good students, we'll try to send them to universities.
19:05Yeah.
19:05Sponsored by our generous donors.
19:08Oh, so there are like actually future plans for the kids who, because you said until the age of 17, correct?
19:15So that means once they...
19:17Graduated.
19:18Graduated, right?
19:19Yeah.
19:20So they can actually still access services.
19:25Yeah.
19:25So we will put them into universities or send them to vocational college.
19:31Right.
19:31We have, we, at CPS, we want to ensure that, you know, we, their lives, they can fend for themselves.
19:40Right.
19:41There are so many issues to be raised, as we've mentioned already.
19:44What strategies do you use to raise awareness of child protection issues in Malaysia, especially sensitive ones like sexual abuse or grooming?
19:53So we actually tailor our approach to who we're speaking to.
19:58We're speaking to that, sorry.
19:59In schools, we equip children, equip children and teachers, actually, with tools to understand consent and protection.
20:07And then with parents, we always tell them, listen to your kids.
20:11You know, don't, don't just ignore them just because you've already given them this and all.
20:16Listen to them when they want to speak to you.
20:18Don't talk down on them, speak at that same level because your kids, if they don't trust you, how are they going to tell you what's going when there's something wrong, you know, with them, you see?
20:31And how are you going to protect them if you don't know what's going on with your child?
20:36If they don't think that you're going to believe them, how are they going to come to you when they're dealing with something that they need your help?
20:42Yes.
20:43So you have to always listen to your child.
20:47And then with media, through our podcast, we always want to share stories, not just share stories and that's it.
20:56But we want to educate and inform what they have to do so that they, what do you call this, educate and inform them and empower them, you see?
21:12For programs like these where you go into schools and you teach the kids about their rights and how to advocate for themselves, do you wait to be invited or how does it work?
21:28Can a school reach out to you or do you, do you make yourselves available by approaching schools and asking if they want a program?
21:37How does it work?
21:37So, all our programs, actually we've been invited.
21:41Yes.
21:42So we've been invited by the PPDs and then we've done with the blind community in Bangsar, see?
21:50So they invite us.
21:52Oh, even with the?
21:54Blind community, yeah.
21:55Right.
21:56With the children, small children.
21:57For the school, right.
21:58Yeah.
21:59With Malaysian Association for the Blind.
22:01Right.
22:02Yeah.
22:02So they invite us to do the program.
22:06And then that's how we also found out, actually, the blind community also have been abused.
22:11And that's worse because they can't, they don't know who the perpetrator is, you see?
22:17That makes sense because a predator will, some might see them as a vulnerable community.
22:24Yep.
22:25Wow.
22:25So they're even, even more so, they need to learn how to identify.
22:31And protect themselves.
22:33Wow.
22:34Do you find that when you go into communities and you share with them, what are some of the responses that you've gotten?
22:42All the responses have been very positive.
22:45They're very, this is, they're thankful that we came and teach them because, you know, most of the time you think that, oh, it's a basic knowledge, you know you have rights, but people don't know how to assess them.
23:00See?
23:00So we have to tell them, this is what you have to do, these are your rights, go to this agency, go to the hospital, go to the police, do your report and all this.
23:09They may be feeling and going through everything they've been going through, just waiting for someone to show them what the next steps are for them without realizing there are options.
23:19There are options.
23:20And most of the time, because they're scared, oh, what if I don't get, and then most, most of the time it's always malu, malu to tell people, malu, I malu, I don't want to open up.
23:31The shame of being a victim.
23:32Yep.
23:33Because in Malaysia, it's always victim blaming.
23:36Oh, you kenani because you pakai macam ni, you too, because you naughty and all this.
23:42So it's always victim blaming.
23:44You never blame the perpetrators.
23:46So that has to change.
23:48It's like your work is so difficult because it's every step that you take forward, there's ways for people to then make you regress because they find other ways to abuse children, right?
24:03Have you ever faced moments of doubt about the impact CPS Malaysia is making?
24:10Like, were there moments where you thought, wow, am I making a change?
24:13And how did you overcome this?
24:14I just felt that yesterday.
24:15Right.
24:16Am I not doing enough?
24:18Am I, what, what, what am I, what are we lacking?
24:22Right.
24:22What are we not doing enough, you see?
24:24Could we have been doing something to prevent?
24:27Yeah, could have we gone to the school because we've not gone to that school, you see?
24:32So it's like, maybe we could have gone to that school and probably talk about all this.
24:37Maybe this wouldn't happen, but there's always what ifs, you see?
24:39But at the end of the day, one small step, you have to always take one step forward, one step forward.
24:48And thinking of the good that you've done as well.
24:51The positive, like, there are, like, when people say, oh, thank you for telling me what to do, thank you, that I know it's not my fault.
25:01Because a lot of them, oh, it's my fault, it's my fault, you see?
25:05It's not their fault.
25:06It's the perpetrator's fault.
25:09I can imagine working with vulnerable children can be so gratifying, but also emotionally heavy and draining.
25:17How do you personally cope with the emotional weight of the stories you hear every day and everyone that you're trying to help?
25:25I rely a lot on my team.
25:28I also rely on my family.
25:29So they're my anchors and then they always encourage me and then we have a good support system.
25:38I have a good support system.
25:40CPS has a good support system.
25:42It's interesting that you say that.
25:43It's almost like you want to give the kids what you have because you have this amazing support system that has made you the person that you are.
25:50And if only every child had that same support system, then they would be more ready, prepared for life as well.
26:00It is.
26:02Because it's basic.
26:05It's a, what do you call this?
26:07It's a right, right?
26:07It's a human right.
26:09It's a right.
26:10And it shouldn't be a privilege.
26:14It's a right.
26:14And that's the sad part, that it seems like that support system, that love that a person should get as a child is not as common as it should be.
26:28As it should be.
26:29As it should be.
26:30And what do you see as the most promising policy or legal changes that could strengthen child protection in Malaysia over the coming years?
26:41Amended a lot of laws.
26:42We've created new laws.
26:46So, bullying now is recognised as a crime under 507B2G.
26:52My goodness.
26:53So, under the Penal Code, we've also introduced that any child can have, has the right to legal representation in Malaysia.
27:03Any child.
27:04That was not the case before?
27:05No.
27:06Wow.
27:08Yeah.
27:08Legal representation by the government.
27:11Right.
27:11Yeah.
27:12Free legal help by the government.
27:15Any child.
27:16That's a big change.
27:17Yes.
27:17And then we have the introduction of Section 29A of the Child Act, which makes reporting of a crime mandatory.
27:31So, if you know somebody has been abused, it's mandatory for you to report it.
27:35Right.
27:35So, you can't just, oh, I don't know about this.
27:37I don't want to get involved.
27:38Yes.
27:39Because then you are a part of the problem.
27:42You're letting it happen if you're not actually stepping in to save that child.
27:47So, we have all these laws, of course, but it shouldn't just be on paper.
27:52You see, you have to take action.
27:53It has to lead to actions.
27:55You see, you have to enforce it.
27:57Enforcement is another thing.
28:00There's lack of enforcement.
28:02And that's why these things are happening.
28:04That's why you work tirelessly, screaming over and over again, telling people, please.
28:09Please go.
28:10Because this is your right.
28:11Yeah.
28:12So, when you do the work that you do, what do you get from doing this?
28:20Because it's so tiring.
28:23It takes up so much time.
28:25It takes up so much of your heart.
28:29What do I get out of this?
28:31Yeah.
28:31Like, is it the sheer joy?
28:34To know that at least one child is safe.
28:38You know, to know, yeah, at least I can make a difference in one child's life is enough.
28:44And then, the same thing.
28:46I want every child to be safe.
28:49To be in an environment where they are safe.
28:53And, you know, they're not screaming for help and nobody's listening.
28:57To give them a voice.
28:58It's wild to think that at this very moment, there are children that need that help right now.
29:04Now, when you think about the kind of Malaysia you want children to grow up in, what does that vision look like to you?
29:11I envision a Malaysia where children are not silent.
29:14They're heard.
29:17Protection.
29:18What do you call it?
29:20Sorry.
29:22Protection is not a privilege.
29:24It's a right.
29:25Yeah, that's a Malaysia.
29:26Yeah, I envision where children are protected and heard.
29:34And what part do you hope CPS, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, will play in building this?
29:40From the work that we do, we want people to listen to the children, know.
29:46We want the children to know they have the rights.
29:49And so, that's why we do our programs and all.
29:52To raise awareness.
29:53You have this right.
29:54Do it.
29:55Do this.
29:56Yeah.
29:57Now, we've come to the rapid fire question part of this.
30:00This is making me nervous.
30:01Conversation.
30:03So, whatever comes to mind is only an answer for now.
30:07That means your answer could change tomorrow.
30:08But for now, this is your answer at this moment.
30:11Okay.
30:11Alright.
30:12Who is your childhood hero?
30:14As you would know, my mother.
30:17Who's right over there.
30:18Yeah.
30:19She's my childhood hero.
30:22She taught me conviction and kindness can come hand in hand.
30:28Wow.
30:30One word you would use to describe yourself.
30:32This is very difficult.
30:34I really don't know how to describe myself.
30:37So, I had to ask around, you see.
30:40So, a few came up.
30:43But I think the best I can say for now, this particular moment, empowering.
30:47People tell me that I empower them to make a difference.
30:56It's amazing that the word that describes you is the ability to give other people strength.
31:05Yeah.
31:05Wow.
31:06So, it was, this is a very, when I saw that question, I was like, ugh.
31:12Yeah.
31:13It's interesting.
31:14It's like a superhero instead of having a superpower.
31:18It's a superhero with the power to give other people power.
31:20Yeah.
31:21I think we can say that.
31:23Yeah.
31:23What's a book or movie that shaped your outlook on humanity?
31:27On humanity?
31:28You know, I used to be a bookworm.
31:30Now, after becoming a lawyer, went to law school, have no time to read.
31:34Yeah.
31:34But a book that I go to often is The Things You Can See When You Slow Down by Hei Min Sunim.
31:44Okay.
31:45Hei Min Sunim, yeah.
31:46So, it teaches me that, you know, you have to be mindful.
31:51And then you have to take one step at a time.
31:53And be conscious with whatever you do.
31:57Because everything is fast-paced.
31:58You take a break and reflect.
32:01All right.
32:02What motivates you on days when the work feels overwhelming?
32:07I look at my nieces and nephews.
32:11I want them to have a life where they are secured a safe, a safer, I want them to live in a safe environment.
32:21Right.
32:22So, that stems to, not just for them, it's for everybody.
32:25Right.
32:25To make the world safer.
32:27Yeah.
32:27A moment in your career that made you stop and think, this is why I do this.
32:34When people say, when people say thank you for helping me get justice and all that.
32:41Wow.
32:42What's a phrase or quote you live by?
32:46Anissa 135.
32:47It says, stand up firmly for justice, even if it's against yourself, your parents, or your family.
32:59Wow.
33:01Wow.
33:02That's the other book that has shaped your outlook on humanity.
33:08Yeah.
33:08Yeah.
33:09And this is a question we ask all of our guests.
33:13If you had the opportunity to make one change as Prime Minister of Malaysia for a day, what would it be and why?
33:21So, I've never imagined myself to become Prime Minister.
33:24I don't think I ever want to be Prime Minister.
33:25Today's the day.
33:26But if I were to change something, I would reform the education system that is in...
33:36Starting with...
33:37Starting with...
33:38We should teach children empathy.
33:41We should teach them laws, constitution, know what's their right, their basic rights, the fundamental rights.
33:47And then we should teach...
33:50Besides teaching them English, maths, and all this, teach them empathy, teach them life skills, teach them to be a better human.
33:58Teach them to be a whole person.
34:00Yes.
34:00Not just to focus on this one element.
34:03Not just study to, you know, to get this job, study to become this.
34:08You have to teach them to become a human being, not an animal.
34:13Someone said once that we train our kids to become workers, not to become people.
34:20It's a robot.
34:22Yeah.
34:23And I think we haven't mentioned anywhere in this discussion so far the fact that you're actually a lawyer who does this on what's supposed to happen during your free time.
34:34But actually this now, your work with the Children's Protection Society, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, has taken a larger part of your life than your actual work.
34:44So my mum would say I'm moonlighting as a lawyer nowadays.
34:49Because I'm like, oh wait, I have to do CPS work first.
34:52And then it's not that I don't want to do other work.
34:56I want to do, but it's like, no, I have to do this because this is important.
35:00You know, because of passion.
35:01I don't feel like it's work.
35:02And I'm thankful for, I think it's a privilege also that I get to do what I like.
35:10You see, becoming a lawyer is what I like to do.
35:15Right.
35:15And doing CPS also is what I like.
35:18So I never wake up like, oh, I dread to go to court or I dread to go to raise awareness and all that.
35:26It's like I wake up like, okay, let's do this.
35:29Yeah.
35:29Yeah.
35:30Thank you for joining us here today.
35:32Thank you for having me.
35:34And if you want to find out more information about Children's Protection Society Malaysia Kuala Mumpur, where do we go?
35:39So we have a podcast, Jangan Sentuh Saya, on YouTube and also Spotify.
35:46It's called Brand New Bicara Jangan Sentuh Saya.
35:48And our TikTok handle is called Jangan Sentuh Saya.
35:51And then our Instagram, Facebook, it's called, is at Children's Protection Society.
35:58Right.
35:59Everything's the same.
35:59Take all that down.
36:01Visit all the sites.
36:02And thank you to Tengku Yasmin Nastasya, Children's Protection Society Malaysia Kuala Mumpur.
36:09Project Director.
36:11Thank you so much.
36:12That was a mouthful, I feel.
36:13I practiced, I practiced.
36:16And of course, thank you for joining us as well.
36:18And we'll see you in the next episode of Life Confessions.
36:20We'll see you in the next episode of Life Confessions.
Recommended
1:57
|
Up next
39:27
1:06
20:10
Be the first to comment