Bersatu’s Armada wants youth quota in legislative houses, city councils

KOTA KINABALU –  A 20% quota for youths in election and appointed positions in the country are among the suggestions by Armada put forward in its policy speech at Bersatu’s first-ever annual general meeting (AGM) in  Shah Alam yesterday.

The Bersatu youth wing noted that about half of Malaysians are aged 30 years or younger. With the Undi18 policy coming into force in July 2021, the youths will become the biggest group of voters to be taken into consideration.

In line with this, Armada has suggested that at least 20% of election candidates and appointments must comprise youths as members of the Dewan Rakyat,  Dewan Negara,  state assemblies, local government councils and  administration support services.

In addition, Armada said the role of the disabled must also be valued and the new National Employment Council should work to increase their participation in the national economy.

Armada also proposed the idea of a Pax Aseana (peaceful Asean region) where safety and accessibility of the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea must be protected from militarisation by any power.

It also called for a revamp of the country’s education system, especially for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) so that every youth  –even before leaving school – already has a job opportunity that suits his talents and interests.

It said graduates and young professionals need to be convinced to be active in politics and be with Armada.

It said there is a need to promote  continuing education in a fast-changing world and called for public institutions of higher learning to lead the transformation of lifelong education so that skills can be constantly updated.

Armada also expressed its full support for  the current pension age limit.

Nevertheless, it said a long-term study and planning of the retirement and welfare system for the elderly is needed immediately in line with the changing demographics of Malaysia.

A “second opportunity” should be given to prisoners and high risk groups, supplemented with long-term rehabilitation, counselling and support schemes, while the stigma and public perception towards them be managed wisely. – The Vibes, November 29, 2020