POWER – is it the ability to act and produce an effect or possession of control, authority, or influence over others?

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men will be remembered if they follow the first definition. But many tend to become bad men when they follow the latter, still more when we add the tendency or the certainty of corruption coupled with authority. Worse if the office sanctifies the holder.

Now is an opportune time for Malaysia to have a good set of cabinet members. The prime minister just resigned – which he should have done earlier. Other reps are busy and deep in messy negotiations over a potential PM to take over.

Will the YBs care to listen to the electorate or will decide according to their wants? We elect them to make a fundamental contribution to democratic governance and to hold them accountable for their performance in office. In the Malaysian context, leaders do not care whether they are re-elected, especially where one party or coalition is so dominant there is effectively no choice.

We are now in a position where there is no dominant party. But at the rate they are going they still do not care about the voters.

I believe many will agree with me that we need fresh faces. Those who want to cling to power have been there for much too long. Many were ministers when they were in their 30s and 40s and still justifying that they want to contribute to the country.

When are they going to step back and give the younger ones in their 30s and 40s to prove themselves? We are tired of the power struggle.

Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” True, humans are creatures of routine but it will be a challenge to try different approaches to problems in our life.

In the 21st century, we need young people to contribute and achieve different results. My three-year-young grandson knows more of what an Android phone could offer.

I sincerely hope that our wise and magnanimous Yang di-Pertuan Agong will consider a younger PM.

A person who has enthusiasm and optimism, without “baggage” or the weight of the world on the shoulder and who understands the next generation trends. That person grew up in a culture the present leaders didn’t – a fast-moving world and surely tech-savvy. Hopefully, one with integrity, good communication skills, self-awareness, empathy and courage.

Sure, we need wisdom and maturity in any setup. Some of the “good” veterans can stay and provide the necessary support and wisdom.

August 12 was International Youth Day and the World Economic Forum called on the world to acknowledge that young people offer solutions and leadership. The world gets ever younger, with 10 billion more people are yet to be born in this century.

We have heard and seen Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg speak for millions who dare not speak. Take Covid-19, it has disproportionately affected young people, disrupted their education, their training, their jobs, their relationships and their mental health.

Give them a platform, to become partners in providing solutions.

Pray that the new PM will gather a Dream Team cabinet.

What say you… – August 17, 2021.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.