Parlimen Digital x Taylor’s Debaters x TSC: Should We Have Youth-Led or Youth-Based Political Parties? I By Tiffany Chan
2020 has seen an interesting, if not a little outrageous shift in Malaysian politics. The people have witnessed an abrupt change of government, the dismantling of various political alliances, as well as the possible formation of a youth-led coalition. As these political uncertainties build up, and many people, especially the youth, have felt that it is time for true government reform.
Arguably, there is no better time for youths to enter the political sphere. Recent years have seen the rise of young politicians such as Finland’s Sanna Marin, who became the world’s youngest Prime Minister, and US Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who defeated a 10-term incumbent through a grassroots campaign.
Sanna Marin, a Finnish politician, is the world’s youngest Prime Minister.
Source: State of the Planet
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, US Representative for New York’s 14th Congressional District
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
These fiery young people have ignited a flame within the hearts of many youths, especially since most older politicians have turned a blind eye towards issues like climate change and unemployment.
Therefore, on the night of 11 September, Taylor’s Speaker’s Corner hosted an event to debate the question: Do young people prefer youth-led parties that include politicians of all ages, or do we need a party just for Malaysian youths?
Official poster for the event.
Source: @taylorsspeakerscorner (Instagram)
Hosted by Taylor’s Debater Har Naveenjeet Singh, the mock debate was a collaboration with Taylor’s Debaters and Parlimen Digital, an initiative by ChallengerMY, Undi18 and LigaRakyat Demokratik which gives young people an opportunity to speak out on policy reforms.
The night saw an interesting lineup of speakers. Championing youth-led parties, Dr Mathen Nair from Parlimen Digital and Deepan Kumar, Taylor’s Debater spoke for the side of the government. As for the opposition, Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier from Parlimen Digital and Markus Yap, Taylor’s Debater argued for youth-based parties.
As the terms ‘youth-led’ and ‘youth-based’ were used frequently in this debate, it is important to make a distinction between the two. Youth-led parties refer to coalitions where the majority of representatives are young people, but still includes senior politicians. Whereas youth-based parties are made entirely of youths, with the exclusion of other age groups.
Source: The Evanstonian
One might be tempted to think that the choice is obvious: Surely youth-led parties are the right way to increase youth advocacy? The experience of senior members, coupled with the connections they’ve established, would certainly push the party to greater heights, Dr Mathen and Deepan Kumar claimed.
And who can deny that seniors have generally accumulated more wealth as compared to the youths? This makes them valuable assets to youth-led parties, as they can provide resources and funding that the young people could otherwise struggle to put together.
Besides, an entirely youth-based party is virtually unheard of, and likely to face ridicule—not just from older politicians but the public as well. Youth-based parties could also be shunned as radical.
But the opposition has also put forth several arguments for youth-based parties that sound perfectly reasonable. “A youth-led party is just tokenism,” Dr Thanussha said, claiming that these coalitions would ultimately be taken over by senior members. “How much of that translates to the youths having an actual, concrete say in the party itself?”
She also argued that Malaysia’s ageism culture will inevitably diminish youths, citing the example of Syed Saddiq being heckled by the older Members of Parliament, where the representative was called ‘cucu’, which means grandson.
YB Syed Saddiq heckled by MPs in Parliament debate
Source: Malaysiakini
“The superiority of older adults is ingrained within Malaysian culture, and the existence of this may drown out youth voices,” agreed Markus Yap. “Allowing seniors into the parties allows them to drown out our voices.”
Moreover, there is a danger that the policies put forward by youth-led parties may originate from the seniors, but presented in a manner that appeals to the youth. This type of legislation will not benefit young people, he reasoned.
Source: kindpng
So, why the need for youth parties?
A common sentiment from all the speakers was that youths are able to better empathize with the people’s needs.
“There has never been a political party solely for youths,” Dr Thanussha said. “Thus, it hasn’t been easy for us to champion our needs and concerns.” Though arguing for youth-based parties in the mock debate, she personally believes in youth-led coalitions. Furthermore, Dr Thanussha claimed that youths are more adaptable to change, which is a necessary quality in parliament.
“A youth-based party would consist of people who are constantly consuming information, as opposed to the seniors who are merely consolidating information.” She argued that youths are more tech-savvy as compared to the seniors, citing the slow development of the contact tracing app MySejahtera during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Parents
However, several audience members expressed that age should not be the main consideration when it comes to politics. Instead, competency and knowledge should be prioritized.
“That is a fair argument. While it is true that we cannot vote solely on the basis of age,” Deepan responded, “I do think that youth parties would [serve as an important starting point for youth advocacy]. It is an attempt to repair many of the problems we’ve had in the past, with regards to youth representation.”
Some have also questioned the system for youth coalitions. “Can members of youth parties still be members when they’re no longer youths?”
“I would not implement an age limit, because that is, again, age discrimination,” answered Dr Thanussha. “Rather, I would consider term limits.” Other speakers also agreed that term limits are necessary in any political coalition.
Source: FES Asia
How should we increase youth political involvement?
Despite the growing spotlight on young politicians, we see youths becoming more apathetic towards politics. Statistics show that about 4.2 million Malaysians have not registered to vote, and with the voting age lowered to 18, young people would be thrust onto the scene with little to no knowledge of politics.
How, then, do we get young people politically involved?
“Start having conversations about politics with your peers,” Dr Thanussha answered. “Go to your community and ask them about their needs. Provide solutions that they agree with in order to help them. And most importantly, vote.”
Source: BBC
But there is, undoubtedly, much opposition awaiting young politicians. Unfortunately, Malaysian culture is one that views young people as less capable. “How do we break this stigma?” asked another audience member. “And how do youth parties intend to disrupt age discrimination?”
“The way I look at it, the moment a youth party is started, the stigma is already broken,” Dr Mathen replied. “When youths form a movement, they’re basically taking a stand for their future and fighting for what is relevant to them.”
“It is about the people.”
There is no denying the need to highlight certain issues that are being sidelined in Parliament today, such as climate change and the flawed education system. But that’s easier said than done.
“Decisions regarding these issues cannot be federal,” Dr Mathen insisted. “People who are subject experts—technocrats, environmental specialists and so on—these are the people who need to be included in policy reforms. That way, we can ensure that the policies implemented will truly make a difference.”
“We need representatives who go and ask questions, who get to know the needs of the people,” said Dr Thanussha, who was travelling with Dr Mathen to the Peninsular East Coast for a political outreach as she spoke. She argued that right now, no one is speaking about the issues faced by the community there, such as poor internet connection and unemployment.
“The point of youth parties is not to just advocate for young people,” she continued. “Rather, it is to change the way politics work in Malaysia. It’s not about Party A vs Party B; it is about the people.”
Source: Kitsap Youth Activism Team
Youth political involvement should be a topic more often discussed in Malaysia, and Taylor’s Speaker’s Corner has provided a platform for that. Despite their differing opinions, the speakers and audience members unanimously agree that youth parties are necessary, regardless of whether the majority are youths, or the party consists of young people only.
Young people see their communities’ needs, and with their fresh ideals, they can meet those needs. It is important that they enter the political landscape—not with the intention of gaining power, but to address real problems faced by their constituents. With that, they have the chance to forge a better future—for themselves, and the generations to come.
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