Disenchanted with the current state of politics in Malaysia and seeing little difference between the ruling and opposition coalitions, a group of youths are planning to take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Dec 23.

Organisers Malaysia Muda said the rally would also pay homage to Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), the famed leftist group which was banned by British occupiers.

Spokesperson Amir Abd Hadi (third from right in photo) told Malaysiakini that those who disagreed with the government had rallied behind the opposition prior to the 2008 general election.

"After the 2008 general election, the opposition won five states. Nobody expected this. So many placed their 'harapan' (hope) in the opposition...The opposition won two of the richest states Selangor and Penang.

"The 13th general election was the pinnacle. We failed. Hope was lost. The actions, administrative style and answers (from the opposition) are almost similar to that of the federal government...," he added.

According to Amir, the opposition has now become "mainstream" and it is natural for youths not to gravitate towards things which are mainstream.

"The youth are weak. Apart from the dismal economic situation, we seem to have lost hope... So we are no longer partisan. Even if there are (those who are partisan), the number is small," he said.

Reigniting API

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur earlier, Amir said the march was not a demonstration but a "reenactment" of historical events.

"If there are attempts to create obstacles, I can't rule out the possibility that it will become a demonstration.

"For now, our goal is not to demonstrate but to draw attention to history," he said.

API was the youth wing of Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), a short-lived but significant leftist party which operated in pre-independence Malaya.

PKMM produced notable figures such as Burhanuddin Helmi and Ahmad Boestamam. Burhanuddin helmed PAS from 1956 until his death in 1969, while Ahmad founded the Socialist Front.

Activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri explained that the group chose to celebrate API's legacy as a youth group which opposed the British occupation of Malaya.

"We want to revive that spirit...(API) is part of our history. We want to create awareness.

"We wish to be the platform for youths to create inclusive and progressive political narratives for Malaysia," she said.

API was instrumental in the formation of Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (Putera), an umbrella group for anti-British unions and groups in 1947, which were against British plans to establish the Malayan Union.