My answers

Jit Murad, Playwright and Actor

What things about us seem unfair to you?

Although not all, the "older generation" would judge us just by the way we look, act and talk. If we don't fit the stereotype of your typical "good kid," we're usually not taken seriously or looked down upon.

Ivy Josiah, Executive Director, Women’s Aid Organisation

How can we educate men to stop committing violence against women?

Instill the values in both men and women while they are still young that violence is NEVER the answer. Teach them to value every single human being, no matter their gender, race, religion, nationality, background, etc.

Zainal Abidin, Singer

What is the definition of an artiste?

An artist must be able to strike a chord in the eyes of his or her audience through their work. It has to shock, move, disgust, calm or anger, show a different perspective, changing the way they think and leaving a stamp in their minds forever.

Shebby Singh, Football commentator/pundit

There are many things that can motivate us, but that is different from what our own motivation is. What is your motivation, and why?

My motivation? Be the change I want to see in this country.

Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Writer/activist

What do you really think of your parents (and no need to be politically correct and only say nice things!)?

My parents have raised me the best way they could possibly have. They offered me support when I needed it, they let me fall when I needed to learn and would always be there to offer a shoulder to cry on. However, my radical thinking and decision-making scares them sometimes, and they would discourage whatever "crazy" ideas I have just so I fit the norm; out of fear, or perhaps that was how they were taught to live, I don't know.

Anas Zubedy, Managing Director Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd

What do you think about yourself?

Far from perfect or where I want to be in life. I will get there some day though, in the meantime, I'm taking one step at a time, learning about life, discovering new things about myself every single day.

CW Kee, Cartoonist - Kee’s World

What drives you crazy?

Stubborn and narrow-minded people.

Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, CEO Air Asia

What will it take for you as the youth to think ‘Malaysian’ first and Chinese/Malay/Indian next?

The question is what will it take for YOU, the older generation, the leaders of this country, the people who drive the economy in this country to think of us as MALAYSIAN, and forget the second part of the question. Go ahead ask the rest of the Malaysian youth, they would give you the same answer, we're all Malaysians.

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Transport Minister and MCA President

What do you understand by “youth empowerment”?

Stop being indifferent to the world, to our country. Use our voices to make a difference, make a change for the better.

Lee Khai Loon, Secretariat Member of Youth for Change (Y4C)

What will make politics more interesting to you?

When politicians and leaders of the country start to respect one another and start tackling real issues we've been facing as a country, ask us again.

Datuk Misbun Sidek, National badminton coach

What does it take to become a champion?

To understand that being a champion is not about getting the trophy or the recognition. It is measured by how well you played the game and if you've played it to the best of your ability.

Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood, MERCY Malaysia President

How important is it to you to put aside time for voluntary work in the community, whether locally or globally?

VERY important. That should be on everyone's top priority list. I think one of the biggest challenge is the funding and the mentality among some Malaysians that if you're not working for financial benefits, then, you're wasting your time.

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Women, Family and Community Development Minister

Are you ready for gender equality?

Heck yeah! About time!

Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister

If you were the Penang Chief Minister, what is the one policy action you would take to the people?

I wouldn't just decide on one policy action. I would hold a series of forums/Town Hall sessions/etc. and listen to what the people have to say.
J. Anu, Artist

What are you reading?

Tom Brokaw's "Boom."

Datuk Yasmin Yusuff, Artiste

Do you believe only the young can speak to the young?

Michael Wong (Guang Liang), Singer-songwriter

How will your lives be different if music ceased to exist?

I would rather not live.

Francesca Peters, Singer

Is there more to you than money, money, money, the rat race, finding a rich partner and “scoring”?

Yes, living life, believe it or not, our generation, while we know the importance of being "successful," we know it's just as important to just stop, watch the sunrise, breath in fresh air, listen to good music, drink good wine, have good conversations, travel the world and value everything we've experienced and given in the good life that we've lived.

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Former De Facto Law Minister

Do you care who your leaders are?

Do you care who your youths are? Like really know who they are, what they're like, what moves them, what angers them, what matters to them?

Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Immediate past president of the Malaysian Bar

Do you feel disconnected from the politics of Malaysia and in this regard how much do you value your right to vote?

I don't feel disconnected from the Malaysian politics at all. Even from the United States, halfway across the world, I still hold political conversations with my friends and family members and receive news updates. I think my right to vote is extremely valuable and one vote DOES make a difference.

Khalid Samad, Shah Alam MP

What are the characteristics of good governance and what is your role in ensuring that these characteristics are truly embodied by the government of the day?

Leaders who make decisions for the good of their people, and not politically-motivated or to benefit their "own people," whatever that means. As a youth, we can be the watchdog of the government. Voice our concerns through the right medium. If that doesn't work, take it to the streets.

Khairy Jamaluddin, Umno Youth Chief

When you look into the mirror, do you see a member of an ethnic group (Malay, Chinese, Indian etc) or do you see a Malaysian?

I see a Malaysian, no question about it.

Camelia, Singer

What do you think is a good age for a young person to leave home?

You'll never really leave home till the day you die. Physically, leave home when you're ready, whenever that is.

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, President Limkowing University of Creative Technology

Do you feel that creativity (or freedom to express oneself creatively) is sufficiently encouraged in this country?

NO.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister

How would you like to see Malaysia in the future?

To be a developed country, to have a democratic government, to see that freedom of press is practiced, to be one of the country with the lowest crime rate, to see people in authority be corruption-free and lastly for the citizens to be seen as MALAYSIANS, no matter our race, religion, color, background, accent, etc.

Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Principal Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

If, as a young person, you are able to lead this nation, how will you seek to build a Malaysia where there is greater consciousness of being Malaysians first?

Talk to the youth and let the nation know how they feel. I truly believe we may be the only ones in the nation to think that.

Patrick Teoh, Actor

Why are so many young Malaysians apparently so apolitical?

Look at our leaders.

Winnie Loo, Hairstylist

You all are so blessed with everything lay on your table whether is technology, transportation and even communications, but what do you see yourself 10 years from now? Can the world be a better place with your new generation knowledge?

Our new generation knowledge would be nothing compared to what we'll have 10 years from now. The technology will accelerate probably 10 times more and it is hard to imagine how life would be then.

Yasmin Ahmad, Film director

What is the best thing about being in a multi-racial country?

We're multi-lingual and we learn from young that "we," meaning people with the same color, background, religious beliefs and culture are not the only people on this earth. We learn that at a really young age and learned to live with acceptance and tolerance.

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, Historian

Do you think lecturers in a university should learn to be more effective teachers?

Lecturers or educators from any level should always strive to be more effective.

Jeff Ooi, Jelutong MP

How would you like to see Malaysia become in 10 years time?

To be a developed country, to have a democratic government, to see that freedom of press is practiced, to be one of the country with the lowest crime rate, to see people in authority be corruption-free and lastly for the citizens to be seen as MALAYSIANS, no matter our race, religion, color, background, accent, etc.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Transparency International Malaysia president, Centre of Public Policy Studies chairman

Do you feel that you have got a good deal as a Malaysian citizen?

Depends on what a "good deal" encompasses.

Aznil Hj. Nawawi, TV personality

How can we become a developed nation without sacrificing our local and traditional values?

Yes we can.

Azean Irdawaty, Actress

What does being grateful to your country mean to you?

Travel the world and learn as much as we can from other parts of the globe and come back to our own country and use all the knowledge and experience to contribute to the country.

Eddin Khoo, Writer and traditional arts activist

What do you think you are all about, really?

Want to know? Ask us, and more importantly, listen.