The future generation on their hopes for Malaysia

SHAH ALAM – Strong able leaders, a good track record and someone who is dedicated to serving the people.

These were the traits that the younger generation will be looking out for when they cast their votes for the first time.

Students, Wan Khairun Sofea and Mohamad Luqman both 18 are planning to vote for leaders who will not take their job for granted and have a good educational background.

"A good educational background is important as these leaders will be the ones drafting our policies, speak up for us in Parliament and amend any policies when needed," they said.

Mohamad Luqman said that one of the things he hopes for Malaysia is for the nation to change from a ‘developing’ country into a ‘developed’ country, where it will be able to compete or be at par with other developed countries.

“I hope that Malaysia could choose the right leaders to drive our country forward especially in terms of the economy,"

Another student, Farish Afrezal said he will evaluate the individual first and the political party second, before casting his vote.

He said he plans to choose his representative in Parliament this way as the person will be the one to represent his constituency’s voice in the Dewan Rakyat and make policies that will benefit the country as a whole.

He also hopes that politicians will be able to minimize the political conflict among them and focus on their work instead.

“ The focus needs to be on what the Malaysians want for our country,” he stressed..

For Wan Khairun Sofea she hopes that leaders will be able to practice mature politics going forward.

“It’s time for our leaders to practice mature politics by not provoking another party but instead stating what your party can give back to the people.” she said

She hopes that Malaysia can become more progressive in terms of the nation’s education system and economy.

“I believe that Malaysia has so much potential, but it takes a good leader to lead us, to walk us down the path to achieving success.”

The 15th General Election (GE15) will be the first general election in which the voting age has been lowered to 18 years old.

Youths aged 18-20 years old will be eligible to vote, as opposed to the previous general elections in which the minimum age for voters was 21 years old.