ABDUL Karim Hamzah’s recent advice to young people to not participate in politics at an early age has not gone down well with the youth groups.

They found the remark, coming from a senior politician who is Sarawak’s minister of tourism, art, culture, youth and sports, to be demoralising.  

They reminded him that age has got nothing to do with getting involved in politics.

Malaysian United Democratic Alliance secretary-general Amira Aisya said age does not determine one’s ability to become a politician.

She said younger politicians are performing better than the senior ones.

She said what is more important is one’s drive and desire to serve the people.

“We see older politicians who have become MPs for many years and yet, fail to do their most basic duty such as attending parliamentary proceedings and speaking for their constituents,” Amira told The Malaysian Insight.

“We have also seen older politicians use swear and slur words in Parliament, disrespecting the institution.

“In fact, I dare say that younger politicians have many times outperformed their older peers.”

She said despite Malaysia’s median age being around 30 years, the political arena is dominated by elderly politicians who are older than 60.

“This is a disproportionate representation to voice out issues grounded to the people,” she said.

On Thursday, Karim said he does not believe in extremely youthful candidates in elections and had a message for the young ones: “Don’t waste your life (by) becoming a politician.”

“If you think you want to be a candidate, think again,” Karim said when asked for his view on young candidates in the state’s coming elections.

In making reference to the youngest candidate in the Malacca state elections – PKR’s 21-year-old Farzana Hayani Nasir – the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu vice-president said he wondered what life she would have if she got elected.

Farzana, a Universiti Teknologi Mara undergraduate, is contesting the Sg Rambai seat.

Amira applauded Farzana’s courage for diving into politics at a young age and wished that there are more people like her. 

“When the young become more aware of politics and willing to jump into the field while they are still studying, it shows huge progress for our nation,” said the 26-year-old Amira. 

“The desire to serve the people should not be labelled as wasting your life! It should be celebrated!

“It’s time for the young to take over. After all, the future belongs to us.”

Discriminatory and sexist

Undi18 movement co-founder Qyira Yusri said it was disheartening to see a senior politician, helming the youth portfolio, come up with such a remark.

“Undi18 is a reform that promotes greater political participation for Malaysians of all age groups, and in a time when every party is racing to develop and improve their youth representation during these elections, it’s quite disheartening to see a senior politician discouraging young people from running,” she said.

She also said Karim’s remark could be viewed as discriminatory and claimed that such a thing is not welcomed.

With the Sarawak state elections looming, Qyira said people will be keeping a close watch on politicians and their parties, and added that such a remark could backfire.

“Not to mention that as Farzana is also a young woman contesting in the elections, it can come off as rather sexist to hear that from a senior male politician,” she said.

“With the Sarawak polls coming soon, young people will be watching the words and actions of political parties and will wait to see what they can offer to them.”

Karim has said he is not against Farzana but questioned the lifestyle that she would be having if she wins in the Malacca polls.

He said she has yet to finish her tertiary education, not married but already running for public office.

“Graduate (first). After graduation, settle down, raise a family and build up (your life),” Karim said, adding that he believes the best age to be a candidate is during the late 30s. – November 14, 2021.