The Malaysian Insight

THE time has come for a youth-driven political party to fulfil and articulate their needs and aspirations, said youth groups.

While admitting it would be a hurdle to start such a party, they say it is necessary to bring the younger generation of leaders together to work towards a better future.

Challenger Malaysia secretary-general Jean Venisha said the time is ripe for such a shift as recent events have shown how older politicians have failed the younger generation and, in fact, are scorning youth leaders.

Venisha said one particular incident that stood out was when senior politicians heckled Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in the Dewan Rakyat earlier this week.

“Challenger demands for the formation of a new youth-driven political party. The problem is not with Parliament but with the political parties.

“Political parties should field strong candidates. I feel there are many deserving youth candidates. The hierarchical system in political parties should be abolished for youth to flourish,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Challenger Malaysia is a youth-run organisation launched Parlimen Digital, an online mock parliament featuring youth around Malaysia.

The group recently launched the #MasaKita campaign on social media to increase the participation of young people in politics.

Venisha did not rule out the possibility of a youth-based party being formed in the near future.

“We launched Parlimen Digital and now #MasaKita. These social-media campaigns will educate the younger generation on the ineffectiveness of traditional politics.

“Our purpose is not to determine the future prime minister, or the ruling party, or the prime minister candidate but to go back to basics like discussing economics and policies for the country.”

Malaysia Youth Council president Jufitri Joha said youth are often caught in the crossfire among senior politicians.

“I am confident if the 15th general election happens soon, the same faces (seniors) will be there,” he said.

Set good example

Jufitri said the council will be launching a roundtable soon to gauge youth politics in Malaysia.

“On September 11, we will launch a roundtable to discuss youth politics. We will invite young political activists, party leaders and representatives from Indonesia’s Parti Solidaritas.

“That party is led by a 33-year-old and their members are young. We will go through ideas which will send a clear message to the older leaders.” 

Johor DAP committee member Mahadzir Ibrahim said other than forming political parties, Parliament should also have activities which engage the youth.

“Parliament should open its doors to young people to become members and be part of the various committees,” he said.

Mahadzir also slammed senior politicians for acting like children when they made fun of Syed Saddiq in Parliament earlier this week.

“To insult and heckle is not becoming. Young politicians should show an example to older politicians by keeping a cool head, being rational and sane when made fun of,” he said.

Several Barisan Nasional politicians heckled the former youth and sports minister when he tried to interject during Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s speech.

Among those were Baling MP Abdul Azeez Rahim who labelled Syed Saddiq as Dr Mahathir’s “grandson”.

Jelebu MP Jalaludin Alias and Padang Rengas MP Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz also told him to sit down.

The behaviour of the MPs set social media abuzz and led youth movements to launch the #MasaKita campaign.

Penang Institute political analyst Nishalni Mujahid said a youth party is necessary here but starting from scratch will always be a hurdle.

“In reality, forming a new political party is hard as there are a lot of people watching and they would rather prefer to pick an already existing party instead of a new one,” he said.

Nishalni added that people are also traditionally drawn to figureheads, so there must be a strategy to be different for a youth party.

“If we look at Amanah and Bersatu, they won several seats because of the wow factor provided by several old leaders like Dr Mahathir.

“If there is a proper strategy and figurehead to convince the people, maybe the idea of this new party can become a reality.” – July 20, 2020.