AVINASH, a seven-year-old from Selangor, is happy Dr Mahathir Mohamad has become the prime minister of Malaysia.

“I hope you are a good leader. I hope you will make Malaysia a successful and safe country,” he wrote to Dr Mahathir who turns 93 today.

Another seven-year-old Radheka Sai from Petaling Jaya said: “I love you. I want our new government to be kind, trustworthy, loving and fair.”

Avinash and Radheka are just two of hundreds of Malaysian children and youth who have written to Dr Mahathir – the oldest prime minister in the world – in the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Malaysia’s #lettertomypm on Instagram.

Launched on May 12, three days after the Dr Mahathir-led Pakatan Harapan won federal power, the campaign was aimed at giving children and youth up to the age of 24 a chance to tell the prime minister and other leaders what they want for a new Malaysia.

To mark Dr Mahathir’s birthday today, Unicef Malaysia released the compilation of messages that reflect the younger generation’s aspirations, concerns and propose solutions in relation to the education system, peace, governance, unity, sustainable cities and the environment.

In their messages, the teens and youth are more specific and serious in what they want, namely development, freedom of speech, better education and school facilities, a platform to participate in the making of policies for children and youth, unity, equality, justice and rule of law, and a clean Malaysia that fights corruption.

Mimico, 15, from Kuala Lumpur told Dr Mahathir that the education system should be better.

“I hope you can change our education system to become better. My friends are going to private schools because their parents (think) the government school is not good. I think the poor also need a better learning environment.”

Sarawakian Anglyne, 16, said she hoped the government will increase the use of English in the country, lower the prices of books for the benefit of pupils and assist those who could not afford laptops and internet access.

“I hope Tun (Dr Mahathir) can work with everybody, regardless of race, religion and political party to develop our beloved country, Malaysia,” said Nabil, 14, from Kuala Lumpur.

Yoong Huei, 19, from Negri Sembilan, hoped for a Malaysia where one’s skin colour will no longer determine one’s value like Yen Zen, 15, from Selangor, who dreams of a day when every citizen is simply a Malaysian, no longer having to fill in race and religion details in forms.

“I hope that Malaysians are given government job opportunities and enrolment into public higher education institutions based on credibility and merit.

“I hope the new government will battle the big ‘C’ of our nation…corruption…and emerge triumphant,” said Subhashini, 18, from Perak.

Most of them are too young to know or remember Dr Mahathir during his first tenure as prime minister from 1981 to 2003. 

Many may also have limited knowledge about Malaysian politics and current affairs, but they all regard Dr Mahathir as a role model and hope for good days to come.

“His determination and strength to build a better nation is truly admirable,” said Harveena, 20, from Perak.

Ainun, 19, from Johor simply hoped that one day Malaysia will become great again under Dr Mahathir’s leadership.

Marianne Clark-Hattingh, Unicef’s representative in Malaysia, hoped government leaders would be guided by the visions of the children and youth when they enact new policies.

“The Malaysia that these children and young people want to see is in line with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals that everyone has equal opportunity and that no one is left behind.”

Throughout the #lettertomypm campaign, Unicef Malaysia received more than 350 submissions from from children and youth of diverse backgrounds. 

Among them are those living with disabilities, child refugees and those without documentation. – July 10, 2018.