MILLENNIALS and Gen Z should call this the Malaysia Plan.

A plan to build the nation inspired by the following vision:

• a competitive country with booming and innovative industries that employ skilled workers
• supplier of products and services which promotes the knowledge economy
• environmentally and economically sustainable
• high levels of legal and citizen security
• strong roles for women
• connected and open to our neighbors and the world.

In the coming general election, with political parties seeking your votes, you should demand they have these ideals in their manifestos, to be implemented with action plans.

If they are voted in as the government, if they want your votes, then they must ensure:

• total accountability and transparency of the government. They will place honest people in positions of responsibility and make honesty the focal point with the use of digital media. Each ministry and agency publish reports on every operation and how exactly public money is spent, in order to make the government more accountable.
• service, not rule, through the basis of needs that are responsive, inclusive and for everyone
• commitment to reducing the size of the state as a percentage of GDP every single year
• the nation understands the constitution, and its relative laws and challenge violations
• improved education. Focus on student leadership and empowerment in public schools. Create a ‘need blind’ admission process to the public universities, where fees for applicants from the B40 group regardless of background, race or otherwise, would be waived  
• deregulation or reduce unnecessary government intervention in the lives of the rakyat, make our laws less complex, quicken the process of operations by reducing the layers of authority, thereby minimising bureaucracy
• improved functionality and outreach of the services such as efficient water, electricity, gas, sewage and garbage disposal facilities, which have become a predominant concern, proffered to the rakyat,
• progressive taxation by making it such that those who are wealthy pay a greater proportion of their income or wealth than those less so
• commitment to reducing the tax burden on the average person as a percentage of GDP every single year.

Young people will be leading the way in this country in the near future and it is time for the present leadership to nurture trust and not let them down.

The Millennials and Gen Z should also make known their demands for how the country should be governed and managed publicly, so that the political parties, especially Muda and the movement known as Gerak, take note and hopefully incorporate these aspirations gleaned from public feedback in their manifestos. – April 6, 2022.

* FLK 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.