David Yeow
New Straits Times

Teng Poh Si says it is better to discuss ‘sensitive matters’ to make the country grow.

Teng Poh Si is bursting with news ideas and as a news person, she feels it is important to get to the bottom of stories, writes DAVID YEOW.

IF your mother says she loves you, don’t just believe her. Check it out.

This, says Teng Poh Si, is what her journalism lecturer at the San Francisco State University told me.

While the statement was very much tongue-in-cheek, it aptly describes Teng ’s belief that one should never take things at face value.

“My message to Malaysian youth is that if you believe something is true, ask yourself why,”says Teng, 23.

“And ask around to confirm it, don’t just run with the popular opinion.” Teng decided to get into the “news business ”herself when she felt that the local mainstream media had “no diversity in opinion and only stuck to news that was safe”.

She went one step further and started her own independent online news por tal, theCICAK.com, that she manages during the nights and weekends.

Teng interned with different media companies and pursued story ideas she felt would not be accepted by Malaysian mainstream media.

“I chased stories about protests and moved my way up to illegal immigration, gang-related violence and sexual diversity,”said Teng, who is currently interning as a multimedia producer and reporter for The Miami Herald.

“If I have to do a story that involves physical danger, I always tell my parents about it after the story has been produced or published.

“As much as my family, especially my mother, supports what I do, I know better than to scare them like that,” Even as Teng was enjoying her journalistic dreams, she kept in touch with the situation back home.

Teng hopes that through theCICAK, young Malaysians who are politically and socially conscious would have an avenue to air their opinions and contribute well-informed news articles.

“It doesn’t matter whether the commentaries on the site are conservative or liberal. The thing that matters is that young people talk and discuss current affairs that affect them, issues that they hold close to their hearts.” Teng believes young Malaysians must be given the chance to learn how to debate maturely hot topics, instead of dodging issues they deem are “too sensitive ”. “That ’s the only way Malaysia will grow.” Teng admits that she has grown tremendously through her dialogues with others on her site.

“By working with the other theCICAK team leaders, I’ve changed. I’ve become more optimistic about our country’s future and extremely excited about where we’re headed in the next decade.

“Even the site editors and contributors have changed as well. What can I say? Positivity is infectious!” However, Teng still believes there are two sides to every story and continues to encourage others to quadruple- check everything they read.

Teng Poh Si is the 11th nominee for the 2007 AYA Dream Malaysia Most Outstanding Youth of the Year Award. The award, a project by Asian Youth Ambassadors, seeks to recognise ordinary youth with extraordinary spirit. Visit www.ayaawards.com to learn how to vote via SMS for your nominee