MANY people may have shocked many when Barisan Nasional (BN) announced its election candidates for Peninsular Malaysia.

This is because many of the candidates are new faces and a few big names have been dropped, such as Annuar Musa (Ketereh), Noh Omar (Tanjung Karang), Shahidan Kassim (Arau), Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar) and Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Padang Besar).

However, the strategy of putting fresh, younger candidates has proven to be effective, and this can be seen by the success of BN in the Malacca and Johor elections.

This move is also necessary because BN needs to enter, and to be seen entering, a state of reform.

We need newer, fresher and younger leaders because the people are tired of the same old faces.

Younger leaders will better understand the current trends, needs, and lifestyles of the people, and recognise that the economy has moved into a new digital revolution. 

If BN were to win in the election, top leaders must not take it as a signal that it is okay to be remain in the comfort zone. A win will mean that the rakyat believe enough in the new leaders to vote for them. If the old “warlord” system remains, the rakyat will again punish BN as they did in 2018. Let’s not make the same mistake twice. 

We, as the grassroots, can’t be obsessed with our leaders, our bosses. We must look at the bigger picture.

The true objective of a political party, what it is that we truly fight for, is ultimately to serve the people and our country. If our leaders, our bosses, are not being contested as candidates, we must move on and move forward to fight for our political party’s true cause. Be a party man. There should not be any personal interest involved. 

Leaders come and go but the party stays. 

We must embrace change. This is what the people want and hence why BN reform is crucial. It’s time for the new generation to take over. It is time for BN to rejuvenate. – November 3, 2022.

* Asyraf Adlan is Bukit Jelutong Umno Youth chief.