A mature democracy to me, gives the opportunity for young, enthusiastic and energetic people to have a greater and bigger role in nation-building. Younger people should be given the chance to become leaders as they are more compatible with the changing of times. Their outlook is savvier than the older people in building the nation and solving problems facing it.

Besides that, they are idealistic, and this idealism is an advantage because ideas that can be turned into a vision are useful for the advancement of a country. However, this does not happen here. This situation that I have highlighted below, of not having enough young leaders, will create a hindrance for our country that is striving as a democracy.

Obviously experience is an important element for someone to become a leader but how much of experience is needed? The seats of power is not meant for long occupation. Please bear in mind that it is the younger ones that hold the key for the nation's future and its betterment.

As announced earlier, should the new federal opposition pact, Pakatan Harapan, win the general election in 2018 and take over the helm of the federal government, we would be having a 71-year-old prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim. Ronald Reagan took the high office of president of America at around that age, too. Anwar Ibrahim has been in politics since the late 60s, nearly 50 years ago.

At the moment the current cabinet composition has an average age of 60 years old, at an approximation. Our prime minister, deputy prime minister and finance minister, defence minister, home affairs minister and trade minister are in their 60s. The youngest, at almost 40 years of age, has the least important cabinet portfolio, youth and sports. Same goes to the other politicians like MPs representing the government.

In addition, party leaders like presidents, deputy presidents and secretaries-general here in Malaysia are also usually of an elderly age.

In contrast, if you take a look at the matured democracies like of those in the Scandinavian countries, the heads of an administration including their cabinet members, have an average age of 45 years old. To add, both the Italian and Greek prime ministers were born in the 70s (1975 and 1974).

In those countries, the younger ones usually hold an important or senior ministerial position like the finance minister. The youngest are usually education ministers, in their 30s, also an important portfolio.

If the same thing is being applied here in Malaysia, Khairy Jamaluddin, Rafizi Ramli or Nurul Izzah Anwar would already be groomed to become the next prime minister. For instances, Nurul Izzah would be the foreign affairs minister by now, Rafizi Ramli would be the finance minister and Khairy Jamaluddin would be the education minister or defence-cum-deputy prime minister.

Question is, are we lacking of capable and talented young people to lead the nation? Obviously no.

To conclude, the patriarchal nature of politics in our country should be fixed. A leader should give the opportunity for those significantly younger than him to taste bigger responsibilities; to have a greater role in politics, economics, policy making and decision making of the country

Appoint young people to head the important ministries so that in the future they can become good prime ministers. Make it easier for the party presidency to be challenged by younger people. Field young candidates to contest in the elections. Take the example of successful corporation in having young executives.