THE large number of members below 35 years of age was the reason academic Maszlee Malik’s decided to join Bersatu, the Islamic studies lecturer said today.

With more than half the party’s members in that age group, he said Bersatu was a party that will decide Malaysia’s future.

“57% of Bersatu members are those below 35 years old. They are the ones who will become agents of change.

“Bersatu is a political party for the young and for the future as it will dictate the direction of the new Malaysia,” Maszlee said at a press conference at the Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya this afternoon.

He said he was attracted to Bersatu for this reason, compared to other parties – DAP, PKR and Amanah – in the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Maszlee is a lecturer at International Islamic University of Malaysia and also former head of academic staff at the same university. He is also active in civil society community activities and a frequent panelist at forums on current issues and politics.

He joined Bersatu, a week after think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) former founder and its chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan joined the party.

Wan Saiful was then appointed as the deputy of the party’s strategy and policy deputy chairman.

Meanwhile, Maszlee said that he is more interested in giving added value in the continuous education and the development of the policies for the youngest party in the PH pact.

“A political party which puts to motion and groundwork and strategy in line with research and development will always be more stalwart. The continuous education and recruitment system for the members are also equally important in party building. This is where I can see myself contributing to the party,” he said.

However, he said, he will abide by party instructions in how best to use his expertise if he is selected to contest in the coming general election.

Meanwhile, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party has plenty of space for Maszlee.

“We have set up a few bureaus. Maszlee can join the strategy and policy bureau or religious bureau, up to him. He also can help with our talks, or going out on the ground and help us in our campaign.

“There are vast spectrums for Maszlee to get involved in our party’s journey,” he said. – March 12, 2018.