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Malay Mail
25-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Infrastructuring volunteerism and empathy — Sadina Suffian
JULY 25 — When a flood hits, it is often not the uniformed officials who arrive first. It's the volunteers — teenagers with towels over their shoulders, students with stacks of packed meals, neighbours with fishing boats turned rescue crafts. In quiet corners of disaster zones, under bridges and inside school halls, you'll find them: the invisible hands that move faster than any formal system ever could. I've seen this too many times to call it coincidence. It is not a one-off act of kindness. It's a pattern. And like all patterns, it points to something deeper — a system that exists, but one that we've never truly invested in. As Malaysia prepares to table the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), we're once again talking about infrastructure, digitalisation, resilience, and inclusion. But if we're serious about building a country that can withstand future shocks — whether economic, environmental or social — then we need to include something we've long overlooked: Empathy. As an infrastructure. The work of volunteers is often seen as meaningful but peripheral — something encouraged, but not yet fully embedded into how we plan for national resilience. To be fair, programmes like MyCorps (under KBS) and Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS, under KPT) have created valuable pathways for youth participation. But they remain siloed within ministries and often limited in scale or continuity. What we still lack is a whole-of-nation approach — one that recognises volunteerism not just as commendable, but essential; not just as response, but as readiness. If we can build highways to connect towns, surely we can build structures that connect people with purpose. What's missing right now There is currently no centralised system for volunteer registration, coordination, or training in Malaysia. If you want to start a grassroots initiative or join one, you often rely on informal networks — WhatsApp groups, social media, word of mouth. While these channels work during peacetime, they falter in moments of crisis. Worse still, they exclude those without access to the right digital or social capital. Volunteers are often trained informally, if at all. Many youth-led movements are born from urgency, not long-term planning. They rise quickly — and burn out just as fast. There are no structured mentorships, few cross-sector collaborations, and even fewer mechanisms to sustain these efforts beyond the immediate moment. We don't ask enough: what happens after the flood? After the media leaves? After the final aid package is delivered? The next Malaysia Plan presents a golden opportunity. If RMK-13 is meant to prepare us for the uncertainties of the next five years, then we cannot afford to exclude volunteerism from the national blueprint. I propose three urgent shifts: 1. A national volunteer infrastructure plan. This includes a centralised, accessible platform to register, train, match, and deploy volunteers across causes and regions — a digital ecosystem as reliable as any government database. 2. Incentivise and recognise. Offer micro-credentials, university credits, even modest allowances for verified volunteer hours. Recognise volunteerism as part of formal learning and employment pathways. Make it easier for employers to value community work as real-world experience — because it is. 3. Cross-ministry integration. Volunteerism should not be parked under a single ministry. It should be embedded into the KPIs of multiple agencies — from Health and Education to NADMA and Local Government — so that collaboration becomes systemic, not ad hoc. This is not about turning volunteers into bureaucrats. It's about ensuring that their energy is not wasted. That the next time a crisis hits, they don't have to start from scratch. That care work — emotional, logistical, social — is finally seen as nation-building work. A more caring Malaysia starts here We already have the spirit. Anyone who has worked with Team Selangor or similar youth movements knows this: the will to serve is alive and well. But spirit alone is not enough. Not when it's unsupported. Not when it's unsustained. The truth is, we can't keep relying on people's goodwill while giving them so little in return. We say we want empowered citizens. We say we want young people to step up. But when they do, we give them applause — and little else. If RMK-13 can fund highways and smart grids and industrial parks, surely it can also invest in something far more human. A system that supports those who show up not because they're paid, but because they care. Empathy doesn't need to be the opposite of efficiency. In fact, when properly structured, it can be our most resilient form of infrastructure. Let's not waste another five years pretending otherwise. * The author is Treasurer of Bersih, and COO of Team Selangor. Team Selangor is an outfit under the YAB Menteri Besar's office focusing on youth empowerment and volunteerism. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail
The Sun
23-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Guidance, support and recognition vital for young volunteers
VOLUNTEERISM in Malaysia is often praised in speeches and government initiatives. It is seen as a vital part of building communities and empowering youth. However, behind the appreciation lies a harder truth: volunteerism is often misunderstood, undervalued and sometimes misused. Too often, volunteers, especially young ones, are expected to give their time and skills without proper guidance, recognition or support. Their efforts are taken for granted, their motivation assumed and their well-being overlooked. This mindset risks turning a meaningful act of service into unpaid work with little value placed on growth or care. Volunteers are not just extra hands. They are engaged individuals who choose to help because they believe in a better future. Whether clearing homes after floods, running donation drives or teaching children, they offer more than effort – they offer value, time and hope. Yet, their contributions are often ignored. Tasks are given without purpose. No one asks what they have learned, how they coped or what it meant to them. Volunteers are seen as replaceable instead of individuals who are learning and growing through service. This must change. Fair treatment in volunteerism does not mean payment; it means respect, structure and care. Volunteerism, when planned and supported, helps people grow. They learn leadership, responsibility, teamwork and how to think through problems. It is more than just helping; it shapes how someone sees the world. Malaysia has started to move in this direction. The MyCorps initiative by the Youth and Sports Ministry sends young people on local and overseas missions, helping them develop new skills and understanding. The Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa, under the Higher Education Ministry, gives university students the chance to contribute to community efforts in a more structured way. Apps like MySukarela are starting to make volunteer matching easier. However, having such programmes is not enough. We need them to be active, accessible and supported by a culture that values them – not just on paper but in practice. A key part of any volunteer experince is reflecting on what was done and how it affected the people involved. Too often, young volunteers face stressful or emotional situations. They go home with no one asking how they feel. At Team Selangor, every project ends with a compulsory debriefing. This is part of how volunteers should be taken care of. After the recent Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, our youths worked closely with rescue teams, local authorities and other organisations. It was a high-pressure and emotionally demanding environment. After the work was done, a proper session for volunteers to talk about what happened was held. They were asked what went well, what could be done better and how they felt. This step is just as important as the action itself. It helps young people process what they saw, make sense of it and continue volunteering with a stronger and clearer mind. Respecting volunteers means more than a thank-you note. It means giving them proper roles, offering them support and showing that their time matters. Schools and employers need to recognise volunteer work as something that builds character, skills and understanding. In countries like Canada and the UK, volunteering is recognised and included in student records and job applications. We can do the same. A national volunteer portfolio would let young people track their hours, list their contributions and reflect on what they have learned. This could then be included in scholarship forms, interviews or university applications. When we treat volunteering as part of a young person's growth, it stops being an extra task. It becomes an integral part of who they are becoming. Some organisations see volunteers as cheap help. Tasks meant for trained staff are handed to young people with little instructions. These same young volunteers may agree out of eagerness or pressure, not realising that they are being put in unfair situations. This is why we need to be clear about the way we support and protect those who choose to serve. Volunteers must be given defined roles, so they understand what is expected of them and why their work matters. They must be offered proper training and guidance throughout their involvement. Their safety and well-being must always be a priority, especially when working in physically or emotionally demanding situations. Just as important, they should have access to emotional support, particularly after dealing with distressing events or intense collaboration. And when they are ready, they should be encouraged to take on leadership roles – not just as followers but as decision-makers in their own right. These steps are how we respect those who give their time. They help ensure that volunteerism is not taken for granted or used unfairly but seen as a serious and valued contribution to society. Volunteering should not be about filling gaps. It should be about building a stronger and kinder country. When done right, it can shape the person giving their time, just as it helps the people receiving it. Let us stop treating volunteers as a resource to be used and start treating them as citizens building a better Malaysia. Their time, effort and care matter, and they deserve a system that treats them justly. Sadina Suffian is treasurer of Bersih and COO of Team Selangor, an outfit under the Menteri Besar's office, focusing on youth empowerment and volunteerism. Comments: letters@
Barnama
16-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
- Volunteering Is Not Free Labour
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. Too often, volunteers – especially young ones – are expected to give their time and skills without proper guidance, recognition, or support. Their effort is taken for granted, their motivation assumed, and their well-being overlooked. This mindset risks turning a meaningful act of service into unpaid work with little value placed on growth or care. Volunteerism, in Malaysia, is often praised in speeches and government initiatives. It's seen as a vital part of building communities and empowering youth. But behind the appreciation lies a harder truth: volunteerism is often misunderstood, undervalued, and sometimes misused. This must change. Fair treatment in volunteerism doesn't mean payment – it means respect, structure, and care. Yet, their contributions are often ignored. Tasks are given without purpose. No one asks what they learned, how they coped, or what it meant to them. Volunteers are seen as replaceable instead of individuals who are learning and growing through service. Volunteers are not just extra hands. They are engaged individuals who choose to help because they believe in a better future. Whether clearing homes after floods, running donation drives, or teaching children, they offer more than effort – they offer their values, time, and hopes. Volunteerism, when planned and supported, helps people grow. They learn leadership, responsibility, teamwork, and how to think through problems. It's more than just helping – it shapes how someone sees the world. Malaysia has started to move in this direction. The MyCorps initiative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports sends young people on local and overseas missions, helping them develop new skills and understanding. The Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) under the Ministry of Higher Education gives university students the chance to contribute to community efforts in a more structured way. Apps like MySukarela are starting to make volunteer matching easier. But it's not enough to have programmes. We need them to be active, accessible, and supported by a culture that values them – not just on paper, but in practice. A key part of any volunteer journey is the time to reflect on what was done and how it affected the people involved. Too often, young volunteers face stressful or emotional situations, then go home with no one asking how they feel. Taking Care of Volunteers At Team Selangor, every project ends with a compulsory debriefing. This is part of how we take care of our volunteers. After the recent Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, our youth worked closely with rescue teams, local authorities, and other organisations. It was a high-pressure, emotionally demanding environment. After the work was done, we held a proper session for volunteers to talk about what happened. We asked what went well, what could be done better, and how they were feeling. This step is just as important as the action itself. It helps young people process what they saw, make sense of it, and continue volunteering with a stronger, clearer mind. Respecting volunteers means more than a thank-you note. It means giving them proper roles, offering support, and showing that their time matters. Schools and employers need to recognise volunteer work as something that builds character, skills, and understanding. National Volunteer Portfolio In countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, volunteering is counted in student records and job applications. We can do the same. A national volunteer portfolio would let young people track their hours, list their contributions, and reflect on what they've learned. This could then be included in scholarship forms, interviews, or university applications. When we treat volunteering as part of a young person's growth, it stops being an extra task. It becomes a part of who they are becoming. Some organisations see volunteers as cheap help. Tasks meant for trained staff are handed to young people with little instruction. These same young volunteers may agree out of eagerness or pressure, not realising that they're being put in unfair situations. That's why we need to be clear about the way we support and protect those who choose to serve. Volunteers must be given defined roles, so they understand what is expected of them and why their work matters. They must be offered proper training and someone they can turn to for guidance throughout their involvement. Their safety and wellbeing must always be a priority, especially when working in physically or emotionally demanding situations. Leadership Roles Just as important, they should have access to emotional support, particularly after dealing with distressing events or intense collaboration. And when they are ready, they should be encouraged to take on leadership roles – not just as followers, but as decision-makers in their own right. These steps are how we respect those who give their time. They help ensure that volunteerism is not taken for granted or used unfairly, but seen as a serious and valued contribution to society. Volunteering should not be about filling gaps. It should be about building a stronger, kinder country. When done right, it shapes the person giving their time, just as it helps the people receiving it. Let's stop treating volunteers as a resource to be used. Let's start treating them as citizens building a better Malaysia. Their time, effort, and care matter – and they deserve a system that treats them that way. -- BERNAMA Sadina Suffian is COO of Team Selangor, an outfit under the Menteri Besar's Office focusing on youth empowerment and volunteerism.
