THOSE below the age of 30 may not have the experience for key leadership roles, youth associations said after the age bracket for youth was redefined by Putrajaya.

The Dewan Rakyat on July 3 passed the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Bill 2019 which, among others, lowers the youth age cap from 40 to 30.

The bill also sets the minimum and maximum age for office bearers of registered youth societies at 18 and 30 on the date of appointment. 

Youth associations cautioned that those below 30 may still be garnering experience and might not be able to lead an organisation as effectively as someone in their 30s or 40s.

They also say today’s youth are unwilling to assume leadership roles.

United Youth Movement of Malaysia (GBMM) president Chook Wai Mun said the organisation started appointing people aged below 30 to key leadership roles in the last few years.

“The problem is that many young people under the age of 30 are actually not willing to lead these organisations. Instead, they are willing to participate in activities.

“They are not willing to take up greater responsibilities and assume the important positions, such as chairman, mainly due to the lack of financial ability.

“Really, there are a lot of places where you need to spend money to hold important positions in your organisation. Sometimes you have to pay for yourself. Considering the price you have to pay, many young people will think twice,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Young Malaysian Movement (YMM) president Chew Sir Boon said leadership roles will add pressure on young people who have just started shouldering various responsibilities, especially their careers.

However both associations supported Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s efforts to reduce the age cap for youth.

But they warned that this must not be done hastily, and supported by supplementary efforts such as increased funding, training, flexible buffer periods, and membership.

Chew said government funding for youth organisations has been on the downtrend in the recent years, leaving many associations cash poor.

He said the government should consider giving financial aid and incentives such as tax rebates to these organisations.

Chook said these associations found it hard to encourage young people to get involved in their activities because of these financial constraints.

He said the focus should not only be on reducing the age cap but also on the aftermath and repercussions of implementing the policy.

He said his organisation may be able to make the relevant transition within the three-year grace period but not all youth groups could achieve the same.

“I hope the ministry can organise awards, not necessarily monetary in form, to encourage youth organisations who have met the criteria within the three-year buffer period.”

Chook said it is estimated that at least 40% of members in larger organisations are above the age of 30.

“For overaged members, we have no choice but to let them go. But we also have an affiliate known as the Yangqing Group, to which members who have reached the maximum age can migrate and stay connected with us.”

Chew said at least 50% of his association’s members are above the age of 30.

“What we can do is to recruit more young people as soon as possible. At present, we are promoting the ‘one plus one’ approach and encourage young people to bring in friends.” – July 14, 2019.