EP #001-1 - Tharma Pillai

EP #001-1 - Tharma Pillai

Tharma Pillai (@tharmapillai) is the Co-Founder and Advocacy Director of Undi18 Malaysia. He co-founded Undi18 with Qyira Yusri, sparking a youth-led movement dedicated to democratic reforms. The movement successfully advocated for the amendment of Article 119(1) of the Federal Constitution to reduce the minimum voting age in Malaysia from 21 to 18 years old.

 

Tharma Pillai’s sense of justice was partially shaped by his aunt Dr. Selva Vathany, who lifted the lid on the systematic abuse of the welfare system for Orang Asli.

 

He was named one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia 2021 for his efforts in championing youth voting rights in Malaysia, and one of Prestige Malaysia's 40 Under 40 in 2019 as one of the bright young minds fighting the good fight in their relentless pursuit of positive change.

 

So, what are you waiting for? Let's dive into the untold story of our greatest changemakers for this week’s episode of The Gamechangers For Good, Tharma Pillai.

 

This episode is brought to you by GivingHub, a giving platform to help people and corporate companies to give more effectively to great charities and causes.

 

*Disclaimer: The discussions in these podcasts are for knowledge-sharing which should not be proceeded without the permission of the guests. The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various guests on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of The Gamechangers For Good with Wah Hoo.

Scroll below for Show Notes

Episode summary introduction: 

 

If we try things out, and we don’t like them, then we don’t do them ever again. But if we happen to enjoy it, then that’s a great thing. It means you just discovered something that adds value to your life. I think my mentality is “why not? Let’s try it out!” I don’t like it, I won’t do it again. But at the very least, I experienced it to tell the story. – Tharma Pillai

 

Tharma Pillai is a Co-Founder of Undi18 MY, a non-partisan platform for young Malaysians aiming to create a democracy movement. He was one of seven Malaysians named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2021. In this podcast, he shared many stories, from eating brain and sago worms in Sabah to how he was raised in a single-parent household and their struggles, to his passion for philosophy and of course, his notable achievement; Undi18! How did he come up with such an idea? What is the process and challenges in order to achieve his goals?

 

Listen to our podcast to hear more about Tharma’s journey in starting a movement!

 

Topic discussed in this podcast: 

  • His youth and growing up [00:05:58]
  • His ground [00:34:29]
  • His philosophy [00:48:48]
  • Undi18 [00:56:44]
  • Building movement [01:12:44]

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with Tharma Pillai –  IG | Twitter | Facebook | Tiktok | Linkedin

 

Undi18 – Undi18 is a Malaysian youth movement that successfully advocated for the amendment of Article 119(1) of the Federal Constitution to reduce the minimum voting age in Malaysia from 21 to 18 years old. 

 

Forbes 30 under 30 – Every year, Forbes identifies 30 of the brightest and most promising game-changers under the age of 30, in 20 different industries.

 

US East Coast Presidential Council  EPIC –  A politically neutral, student-based and a non government student body that represents the voice of the Malaysian students along the east coast region.

 

Malaysian Student Global Alliance – A global coalition of Malaysian student organizations worldwide. Our mandate is to act as the global leader and representative body of Malaysian students, both serving and leading Malaysian students worldwide.

 

Current campaigns – 111 initiative, My Hutan, Senate 18, Undi Saksama, Undi Sabah, Undi Sarawak, Tenaga Belia, etc.

 

Programs – Parlimen Digital, Undi Ketiga, Seeds for Democracy, Campaign For Change, Generasi Undi18, Sweet Spot Malaysia. 

 

CTA:

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