The call by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on youths to defend Putrajaya is truly regrettable, more so at a youth rally to mark World Youth Day. It is inappropriate to talk about politics at such an event, and is seen by many as a desperate means to cling on to power.

Returning Najib to power should be the decision of voters who are mature enough to judge him by his and his team’s performance in office, and not that of youths gathering at the World Youth Day event.       

It is puzzling why younger ones could be dragged into politics when older and more discerning youths in universities and colleges are forbidden to engage in such activities.

Instead of talking about politics at such a mammoth gathering of young people, it would have been a good opportunity for him to talk about the importance of hard work, racial and religious tolerance and good values in their lives. It would have been a good opportunity to talk about good leadership and governance and the principles of democracy we are practising.

In our system of democracy, the opposition plays an equally important role as the ruling party in providing the checks and balance in the country’s governance.

It is wrong to teach our youth to defend the ruling party against the opposition as though the latter is a traitor and enemy of the nation. This is a blatant breach of the ethics of a democratic country.

With rampant corruption, power abuse, failing institutions and racism in the country which the government does not seem to be serious in tacking, asking the youth to defend Putrajaya would be tantamount to asking them to defend these ills in our governance.

Putrajaya does not belong to the BN, Pakatan or any particular individual. It belongs to the people including the youth who are duty bound to defend it against any party that perpetuates corruption, power abuse and racism.

Najib should remember that he is the Prime Minister for all Malaysians, including those who support the opposition, which is their legitimate right.

He must speak to the youth as the PM and leader of the government of the day not as the leader of the BN trying to brainwash them to hate the opposition that has also a legitimate and rightful role in our system of democracy.