BANGKIT!

Let's face it.

Most Malaysian youths have been conditioned to sit down, keep quiet, listen and think/do whatever they are told by higher-ups from the time they sit in the school benches.

Many people also presume that our nation's youth are ignorant or indifferent to larger issues and only interested to seek the next entertainment thrill.

Well, we want to challenge that stereotype. We believe the reason why they have not been more vocal is only because they have not been given the space and freedom to voice it out.

Now, they have that chance.


BANGKIT is a nationwide search for songs written BY the youth, FOR the youth and reflecting the aspirations OF the youth of Malaysia. These songs will be showcased on our website where the youths will vote for the songs that most reflect their thoughts and feelings. The 10 most popular songs will then be professionally recorded and compiled into a BANGKIT CD to be distributed nationwide.

What's unique about BANGKIT is that we are aiming to do all of this with NO MONEY. There is NO MONEY for allowances or claims, NO MONEY for design and marketing, NO MONEY for prizes, NO MONEY for recording, NO MONEY for CD production...well, NO MONEY for anything.

This is because we want to prove that our nation's youth DO care about the country. That they DO have a valid opinion about issues. They DO want to contribute. They DO want to make a positive difference. And they would be willing to participate simply because they love their country enough, and not because of the promise of material gain.

We are also counting on Malaysians to be a generous and passionate people who would be willing to sponsor their time, talents, facilities and resources to make BANGKIT a success.

So basically, we are placing the entire idea of BANGKIT into the hands of Malaysians. We are banking the success or failure of it NOT on MONEY but purely on the passion that exists within the hearts of the people of our country.

That's why this is the Great Experiment. Will there be enough people willing to contribute their time, talents and resources to make BANGKIT a reality?

"Impossible!" some might say. Maybe...because by yours or our lone efforts it would be. But If we join our hands together and commit to this project, that makes two - and the impossible now looks a little more possible, starting with us.

If you are inspired, you can support us in the following ways:

- Attach the ‘Bangkit’ posters/banners/videos to your blog or website and make sure to link it to our blog. We will be releasing a series so that it stays fresh and exciting
- Publish this article in your blog/website
- Tell everyone you know about this, through word-of-mouth, blogs, facebook, twitter, email, SMS, MMS, etc. We need everyone in Malaysia to know.
- Keep updated at our Bangkit blog or the SABM website. More information will be released in stages over the next few days.
- Contribute or put us in touch with people who are willing to contribute their time, talents, facilities and resources for free.

BANGKIT will be accepting song entries beginning from 1 April 2010. That's not too far off.

Please join us to give the youth of our nation a voice! And let's rock Malaysia with the music of our youth!