If you haven't noticed it already, Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not your average 92-year-old grandfather.

While he may be under the weather now, the nonagenarian has mostly maintained a sharp wit and rigorous schedule as he steers his new party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), on a quest to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak

But while the man charting the ship's course may be elderly, the force manning the oars and propelling the party forward is largely made up of young blood.

According to Bersatu leaders, as of June this year, 55 percent of the party's 200,000 members were below the age of 35.

Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan (photo), who is doing a research paper on Bersatu, said it is unlikely that any other political force in Malaysia can boast such strong youth membership.

So what drives young people to join a party dominated by an old man?

Offering a preview of his research paper, Wan Saiful attributed the high youth membership to three factors: Mahathir himself; anger towards the current administration; and Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Fruits of Dr M's labour

According to the political researcher, the oldest Bersatu Youth members would have been born in 1982, just one year after Mahathir ascended to the prime minister's post.

"For the next 22 years, they lived under Mahathir’s administration and they grew up seeing and enjoying the many developments that Mahathir brought to the country.

"But they were also too young to understand any criticisms that were hurled at Mahathir throughout this time. Hence for many of them, until today, Mahathir is a hero," Wan Saiful wrote.

This view was corroborated by Syed Saddiq (photo), who told Malaysiakini that during the fallout between Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim in 1998, some members were just six-years-old, while he himself was just at the age of four.

"Even though we were informed of what happened, we also saw the rapid progress Malaysia went through," Syed Saddiq said.

Party strategist Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff said youths may have also been inspired by the more recent mending of ties between Anwar and Mahathir.

"When they see the two magnanimously working together for the greater good to save the country, it is an instantaneous magnet for the youth to join Bersatu," Rais said.

More opportunities for youths

While both Syed Saddiq and Rais agree that Mahathir does have a great pull factor, they differ with Wan Saiful's view that the former prime minister is the main attraction.

For them, the main reason is the opportunities that the party opens up for youths who want to become involved in nation-building.

Syed Saddiq, who is only 25-years-old, sits on various top leadership councils, including Bersatu's presidential and election strategy councils.

Wan Saiful noted that several national, state and divisional leaders are also from the Youth wing.

In the wing itself, many exco members do not come from political backgrounds, a contrast with what Rais described as Umno's feudalistic system, where only elites can climb up the ranks.

This platform for youths to become leaders, Syed Saddiq said, is also part of what makes Bersatu more enticing to Malay youths, who are "slightly uncomfortable" with the other opposition parties, but don't want to join Umno.

But is the party's growth sustainable, even in a scenario where Mahathir is no longer in the picture?

Dr M wants youths to shine

Both the Bersatu Youth leaders believe it is, mainly due to the party's practice of decentralising power instead of concentrating it on just a few.

"Initially, I thought Mahathir would always like to focus the spotlight on him, but instead he will always try to ensure that that the spotlight goes to others.

"He is trying to ensure that the limelight goes to the party as a whole," Syed Saddiq said, explaining that Mahathir is always pushing others to be part of various committees instead of himself.

While the number of Youth members is expected to grow, Rais believes that more older Malaysians would also be joining the party eventually, especially if Pakatan Harapan is able to form the next government.

This, Rais said, was because some still feared that they would jeapordise themselves if they were to join the party now.

Bersatu has been viewed as a vital component in Harapan's efforts to defeat BN.

With Mahathir at the helm, many are banking on the party to be able to win over Malays - especially those in rural areas - who would otherwise be supporting Umno.

Wan Saiful's full paper on Bersatu is expected to be completed and published within the coming week.