Due to the monumental 1MDB financial scandal, the country was called and the ruling government then given the moniker - kleptocracy.
If and assuming the present crop of political leaders are returned to power in the next ie the 16th GE, Malaysia will assume another new mantle, gerontocracy.
Gerontocracy is a political system where the oldest members of society hold power and make decisions with the leaders often substantially older than most of the population.
To what degree 'who governs' is as important as 'how governance is practised'.
Yes, the aging politicians will argue that while younger leaders might be energetic and innovative, they do not possess the requisite administrative experience and political networks necessary to maintain reform initiatives while older leaders possess valuable experience and wisdom, which can benefit society as a whole.
Older people, we often hear, have too much power.
They are hoarding homes, money and jobs to the detriment of younger people who can’t get their lives started.
They are hoarding political power as well, helming a state that is of, by, and for them.
Since the pandemic, the economic prospects of younger people have only grown worse, while older Malaysians continue accruing wealth from a booming stock market.
And in politics in this country, many of the aging politicians refused to make way for their replacements or if agreeable, the replacement will be either the sons or the daughters.
Why can’t politics be the same as in the private sector where many industries had mandatory retirement policies, designed to clear out older workers and make room for their younger, more innovative, and less expensive replacements.
Do not be mistaken.
Malaysians generally have a high regard for older citizens.
It’s just that Malaysian voters do not inherently wish for a gerontocracy.
The 14th and 15th GE symbolized for many, the perils of gerontocracy, where the leaders of all the political coalition, are declining senior citizens, battling against one another for the prize of governing the country.
While the political landscape has historically been dominated by elderly leaders, public sentiment is heavily driven by pragmatism, trust, and a demand for concrete results rather than a deliberate desire for older leadership.
Of concerns are older leaders may not adequately consider the long-term impacts of their decisions, particularly since they may not face the consequences of policies that extend beyond their lifetimes.
A great nation is not built by aging politicians and leaders.
Look around.
And look at the young man who cannot find a bed.
Look at families living paycheck to paycheck.
Look at workers anxious about their future.
People running the country and making major decisions should not be much much older than the generations who will actually be carrying the country forward.
What does that mean for younger generations?
We have the politicians we have because people vote for them.
If the younger generation wanted something else, vote for something else.
If younger people would like to have more say, more of them should vote.
FLK (leekhean.foo@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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