THE CICAK.com

WRITE IT 2006: Where have all the young politicos gone?

By CHANG LISIA

If you want to vote for Chang Lisia (and this article) for the People’s Choice Award, click here.

Youths these days are seen as politically apathetic in contrast to those of the previous generation. Even the heads of so-called youth wings of political parties are not what the average person would call young, as attempts are made to raise the age limit. Some politicians started off young but stubbornly cling to positions of power even though they are over the retirement age of 55! The preponderance of aged politicians begs the question: are there no young people to step into their shoes? Why not?

To formulate a plan to turn this around, first we have to consider its root causes. There are not that many factors. I choose to lay most of the blame at the feet of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (as amended in 1975). The UUCA bars youths in tertiary institutions from taking part in politics. Strange. Don’t they go to university to broaden their horizons and be moulded into future leaders?

Avid conspiracy theorists perceive the enactment of said act functions to “protect” current politicians from an onslaught of fresh youth with progressive ideas and ambitious ideals. This may be likened to kicking the ladder out from under you once you have reached the top, as these politicians got to where they are today by being radical, progressive and ambitious!

The truth is that they know the danger of these youths, as they themselves replaced redundant politicians on their way to the top. Knowing very well the threat of being unseated, they are taking steps to neutralise aspiring politicians so they can maintain their positions.

Whatever the reason behind the enactment of the UUCA, this act has had far-reaching consequences. Perhaps it was too effective: every time elections roll around, people lament the reluctance of youths to take an interest in who will represent them in parliament. Many youths do not even register as voters; fewer still involve themselves in active politics. Why? They feel that they cannot make a difference either way. Their studies take precedence. If they get involved in politics, they could get into trouble.

The solution is then simple: abolish the UUCA. The how and when I will leave to parliament. The undeniable truth is that this particular Act of Parliament has outlived its usefulness. It is now merely a remnant of a dubious policy that is detrimental to the future leaders of our country.

The UUCA, once set in place and backed up by enforcement, served to stifle any burning flames of political activism. The image of police quelling student demonstrations with water cannons and members of Malaysia’s controversial volunteer reserve RELA shoving demonstrators was an effective deterrent that scared off many youths. Was that such a bad thing? After all, if some youths become agitators this would disrupt not only their studies but also that of other students, rendering any attempt to learn anything at university a farce. Furthermore, campus elections show a disturbing trend of anti-establishment candidates being elected.

However, politics is part and parcel of a citizen’s life; it should also be thus in a student’s life. For if when young they are discouraged from taking an interest in politics, don’t tell me the minute they graduate they will take a sudden interest in how their country is being run.

Besides that, it is almost inevitable that youths habour anti-government sentiments. We see this not only in Malaysia but also in other countries such as Thailand (protests against ex-Prime Minister Thaksin) and America (long famous for student demonstrations). This is only natural since being idealistic, they seek to break the status quo in their striving for something better.

The fact is all politicians, even if they started out being radical, will eventually conform. Radical ideas will become the normal practice and, depending on their viability, will require new ideas to replace them. Politicians should be magnanimous enough that when their shelf life has expired, they should gracefully make way for new people to fill their positions for the betterment of the nation, although of course, power is not easy to relinquish.

When all this has been said and done, these are mere generalisations. Even with the presence of the UCCA there are still ardent on-campus activists – the annual student body elections are proof of that. Moreover, even if the UUCA were abolished it would not guarantee a 180-degree turnabout.

But what it would do is provide an open environment for debate that would encourage students to think outside the box and to acquire the confidence that they can make a difference. This is can only be conducive in creating youths that are politically aware.

Indirectly, politicians will have to keep on their toes, as their every action will be scrutinised by inquisitive youths thus leading to greater accountability and transparency in Malaysian politics.

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CHANG LISIA is a first-year law student. After passing the STPM with a CGPA of 3.0 she realised that she was inherently unsuited for the science stream and thus made the switch. Being outspoken and interested in current issues, it seems she has made the right choice.

If you want to vote for Chang Lisia (and this article) for the People’s Choice Award, click here.