Bersatu Youth pushes for 'new Malays in new Malaysia' agenda
BERSATU AGM | Armada delegates at the Bersatu youth wing's second annual general meeting today had a no-holds-barred discussion that touched on the future of the party and the country as a whole.
A total of 20 delegates delivered their speeches during the closed-door session to some 800 members from divisions across the country.
BERSATU AGM | Armada delegates at the Bersatu youth wing's second annual general meeting today had a no-holds-barred discussion that touched on the future of the party and the country as a whole.
A total of 20 delegates delivered their speeches during the closed-door session to some 800 members from divisions across the country.
In moving forward as a member of the ruling Pakatan Harapan government following their historic electoral success, exco member Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir told Malaysiakini that he had called on the youth wing to lead an intellectual revolution among Malay-Bumiputera in the country.
As a party formed on the support of Malay-Bumiputera, Ashraf said Bersatu leaders beginning with the youth wing had to set an example by improving themselves and earning respect as the majority race.
"The result of this intellectual revolution based on knowledge, personal identity and practice will reflect the Bangsa Melayu as a 'master' (tuan) who truly deserves to be called a 'master'," said Ashraf (below).
In calling for Armada to reject narrow racist views, Ashraf maintained the bigger issue that must be addressed was how to shape the mindsets of "new Malays in a new Malaysia."
"People must understand that if the Malays are unable to bring added value to the country, it would have a negative consequence for the whole society.
"The question for Armada now in shaping new Malays in a new Malaysia is what kind of Malays do we want to shape? Are they the ones still trapped with a negative mindset?" asked Ashraf.
He also cited how the Malays had earned a negative reputation due to their views shaped by leaders from the previous administration.
Meanwhile, Armada information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamuddin (below) said the wing's members should realise that their role was not only to support the party leaders but also to offer constructive criticism when there was a need to do so.
"Armada must serve as a check-and-balance force. We must strengthen ourselves.
"You want to criticise the leadership, this is the time. We no longer want the culture of brown-nosing, the culture of boot-licking to get power," he told Malaysiakini when met after the day's proceedings.
"We don't think that's the way Armada should propel ourselves. Armada should be the one to put pressure if there are issues that we disagree with," he added.
Ulya said he had in an earlier speech reminded delegates of how Bersatu needed to rid its ranks of the old sabotage culture and that Armada should take the lead in the internal fight against corruption and abuse of power.
On the role of Armada in youth development, its deputy treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali said focus should be given on youth empowerment both in the private and public sectors.
"The Youth and Sports Minister should increase these efforts in line with the industrial revolution 4.0 to create more opportunities for youth in these sectors," Rafiq told Malaysiakini.
In the area of entrepreneurship, Rafiq said he also proposed for an independent audit to be conducted of non-performing loans awarded by various federal agencies in order to improve the overall system.
The second annual Bersatu assembly, which is being held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), will end tomorrow with debates by the party central delegates and winding-up speeches by top leaders.
Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri, Anne Muhammad, & Norman Goh
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