THESE few weeks have seen young people rise to demand for change in the country’s political landscape as well as in society. 

Don’t neglect these demands because young people represent the biggest stakeholder in society; if the Undi 18 law is gazetted, we will have of 3.8 million new voters, which represent 18% of the vote. 

The “youth party” that has been set up by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman shows that the majority of young people want to representation in the legislative branch, and Umno has to acknowledge this and do something about it. 

We don’t want to repeat the same mistake of GE14, do we? Umno needs to be more humble and listen more instead of “telling” people what to do. 

I suggest that young candidates be selected for election in 30% of the 809 seats in parliament and the state assemblies. Whether we win or lose is a secondary matter, we need to start with fresh new faces with  merit. 

As Hussein Onn said at the 1976 Umno general assembly; “I do not want to see Umno’s light grow dim. In the meantime, we must think of new values, so that young people can join the struggle to defend the party’s interests in the future. The current leaders must be prepared to change the way they think, their attitude and direction by combining old and new energy to lead the party, ”

I’m all for intergenerational equity, which means seeking balance between the young and current leaders, Don’t be mistaken – I’m not asking for equality, which would be against the principle of Barisan Nasional, the party that pushes for equity politics.

It’s not just me who’s voicing a need for bigger youth representation. My friends, the Pasir Gudang Umno Youth information chief, and a Johor Baru Umno committee member also share the same aspirations. In the south, Umno’s Johor divisions are pushing for such a change within the party. 

Simply put, Umno needs to offer fresh and young faces with merit in the next election so that we can win a majority and spread equity politics to a wider society. That’s the Umno that young people hope for.

I hope that this article is uploaded for the purpose of explaining to the people the current youth political climate and the role of young people in society. – September 6, 2020.

* Muhammad Shaqib Shahrilnizam is Pulai Umno Youth information chief.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.