MACHANG - The Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) has made a major decision to withdraw from the Registrar of Youth (Roy) and join the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
The unanimous decision was made after a motion was agreed upon at the 72nd GPMS Annual General Meeting at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Machang here on Friday.
GPMS President, Muhd Fazreen Ismadi Fauzi, stated that the decision was taken following the implementation of the 30-year youth age limit, which allegedly affected GPMS's ability to carry out its original function and role as an organisation advocating for the educational agenda and the interests of Malay students.
He explained that GPMS was not established as a youth organisation, but rather had a history dating back to 1948 with a focus on education and Malay students.
“When the age limit was lowered, GPMS was no longer able to carry out its functions in accordance with its purpose of establishment under the constitution and as it was originally founded in 1948.
“Therefore, today’s decision is to leave Roy and join RoS. That is the wording we agreed upon in today’s meeting,” he told Sinar Harian after the conference.
The two-day conference was attended by 152 delegates from 12 states.
According to him, the decision does not mean GPMS is rejecting the role of young people in the organisation, but rather aims to ensure that experienced leaders still have space to advocate for educational policies and voice the interests of Malay students.
He said that approximately 60 per cent of GPMS’s current national leadership consists of individuals aged under 30. However, those aged over 30 are still needed to drive the organisation at the state, branch, and national levels.
“The issue is how individuals under 30 who are still studying, just starting work, and building their careers are expected to steer branches, state bodies, and the national leadership full-time.
“They can still lead and carry out voluntary work, but GPMS focuses more on government policy and principles, requiring experienced leadership to bring that voice to the government,” he said.
Muhd Fazreen Ismadi added that there were concerns the age limit would lead to GPMS being increasingly dominated by those with more stable economic standing, as not all young people aged 25 to 30 have the time and capacity to focus on organizational work.
He stated that the move is also intended to restore GPMS to its original function as an educational organisation rather than purely a youth organisation.
“GPMS does not have the word ‘youth’ in its constitution. Our core principle is education and Malay students. As long as someone is involved in education or is an activist advancing the educational agenda, they are part of GPMS.
“Therefore, when the age is restricted, the original purpose of GPMS becomes limited,” he said.
Meanwhile, he mentioned that GPMS will initiate discussions with the relevant authorities to determine the process and implementation date for registering under the RoS.
“Following the mandate given by the delegates, the national leadership, specifically the Secretary-General and top leaders, will meet with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Director-General of the RoS to gain a clear understanding of the process that needs to be undertaken,” he said.