Old party, new ideas: go beyond Umno Youth chief age cap, analysts say

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth needs more than simply capping the age limit of its chief to 40 if it wants to be the voice of the younger generation.

Universiti Utara Malaysia's Prof Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said the wing has to rebrand itself to fight about issues affecting the youth, and even nurture its leaders to become likeable.

He added that the wing should not only depend on its chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh; rather, the executive council members have to ensure that their presence is well-received by the grassroots.

The political analyst said the move to put a cap on Umno Youth leader’s age is the right move to mirror the terms applied to other positions in the wing.

“This opens up opportunities for other youth to lead the wing and contributes to the party’s longevity.”

In the meantime, Azizuddin said, Umno needs to look at the possibility of implementing a different approach in urban areas to attract voters to guarantee the party’s position in the next general election.

“Even though Umno may appeal to rural areas, its power to attract those in urban areas needs to be nurtured. 

“Umno Youth needs to bring the relevant issues to the highest level so that the younger generation can relate to the party.

“They (Umno) have to do something…if possible, (even) extraordinary things to gain support at the national level and the top party leadership, so that the youth can see what the party is doing for them.”

Star power: why not harness pull of celebrities?

Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) political analyst Jamaie Hamil said Puteri Umno has to undergo reforms, including enticing artistes and icons to join the movement as was done during its early days.

“Since its establishment, Puteri Umno has attracted celebrities and personalities. Obviously, it can attract young people to join the party, and that is what it has done before.

“(Puteri Umno needs) young people like artists, celebrities and personalities of their age group instead of just political figures.”

On the age cap revision, Jamaie said the change is not a bombastic factor in regaining youth’s support and encouraging them to become politically active in Umno.

“To the youth, Umno is an old party, so the Youth wing needs fresh ideas.” 

Dr Akmal won with a simple majority of 96 votes of the total 191 during the internal polls last Saturday. – The Vibes, March 14, 2023