LETTER | For the first time in our history the youngsters are entrusted to cast their votes in the forthcoming Johor state election.

If the youth so decide to exercise their right to vote in droves, it will have a telling impact on the outcome of the polls.

It would also serve as an indicator of what to expect at the next general election.

Our youth, faced with a myriad of challenges - high rate of unemployment, wages that do not commensurate with their qualifications, a political eco-system that stifles their freedom of expression etc - may well be emboldened to express their frustration through the ballot box.

Having the capacity to tip the results in the voting pattern, the established opposition political entities need to formulate programmes that would capture the aspirations of the young voters.

What needs posturing is whether the opposition parties have calibrated their "products" to sync with the basic concerns of the young voters.

A friend of mine described the DAP and PKR as "old parties" which did not impress the voters in Sarawak and Malacca.

That needs no argument as the outcome of the state elections speaks for itself.

My friend also opined that the "old parties" need to get off their horses and treat smaller parties with respect.

It is his view, with which I concur, that the "oldies" ought to rope in the youth-based parties like Muda, because the future is in the hands of the youth.

As I may add I am of the view that our youth are receptive to a transformation of the status quo premised upon the tenents of social justice otherwise demonised as "socialism".

The writing is on the wall.

Unless our opposition parties, like the DAP and PKR, evolve towards a youth-centric transformation of their political agenda, they may not find acceptance with the emerging young voters.

As my friend, rightly said, the future is with the youth.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.