Going to polls with a fresh outlook
Young candidates have strong views and plans, but are not naive
PETALING JAYA: They are not just aiming for electoral victories – young candidates in the 15th General Election (GE15) are also hoping to inspire youth to get into politics, while being their voice in government.
Having participated in campus elections during his student days, Chiew Choon Man has now moved on to big-time politics as he vies for the Miri parliamentary seat in northeast Sarawak.
“When I was studying in Universiti Utara Malaysia, I took part in student council elections, which gave me some exposure to politics.
“After that, I helped out in PKR’S campaigns in several by-elections. I think this experience has helped my campaigning in GE15,” said the 31-year-old who is contesting on Pakatan Harapan’s ticket.
As a young candidate, Chiew said he hopes to set an example for youngsters to participate in politics.
“I think my presence in this election might make young voters see that politics is not only for senior persons; the field is also open to young people.”
Having said that, Chiew expressed his appreciation for senior party members for their invaluable advice and guidance as he described two-term Miri MP Dr Michael Teo, who stepped down from seeking re-election in GE15, as his mentor.
“Dr Michael is guiding me on how to meet and address the people. I’m still learning from him,” he said.
Barisan Nasional candidate for the Bilut state seat Wong Siew Mun has identified perennial floods, lack of affordable housing and quality employment for youth as issues that need more attention in the quaint little town in Pahang since 2018.
“There are not many good job opportunities here, an absence of flood mitigation plans and also, youth are not able to own homes due to lack of affordable housing,” the 32-year-old said.
If she prevails in the election, Wong plans to implement a thorough flood mitigation plan, empower youth and improve economic and employment opportunities.
She wants to install CCTVS at rivers that are hotspots for floods, so that water levels can be monitored from time to time via smartphones.
“I will cooperate with the new Bentong MP to implement the flood mitigation plan because it will involve billions of ringgit.
“This plan will ensure that Bentong (which the Bilut state seat falls under) is free from floods in the next 50 years,” she said.
There are also plans for a youth community centre operated by young local leaders, said Wong, adding that since GE14, local youth community and sports programmes have not received any allocation.
The Bentong native said she has met many Bilut youth in Kuala Lumpur who are keen to return to Bentong, but are discouraged by the lack of job and economic opportunities.
“Agriculture and tourism are among economic potentials in Bilut,” she added.
When Chen Ket Chuin had to pick a subject to study after his Form Five some 10 years ago, he kept in mind what could help him achieve his ambition to be a politician. So, he opted to take up law.
“In my later teens, I developed an interest in politics, wanting to be like some of the MPS I saw on TV,” said the Tawau candidate for Parti Warisan.
The 28-year-old wants to help the nation move forward, and he sees that being in government or in Parliament as one of the best ways to achieve this.
“The country can only move forward and progress if it is governed under well-drafted laws. Politicians can change the fate of the people,” he said.
Being among the youngest candidates to stand in GE15, Chen said Undi18 – which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 – is a major advantage for younger candidates like himself.
Banking on issues faced by the youth including job opportunities and infrastructure development to woo voters, he said this election is not solely about the experienced beating the newbies.
“With Undi18 in place, we can now have a proper platform to get our voices heard,” said Chen.