My journey with DAP Youth Kota Melaka did not begin with a grand political ambition. It began with curiosity — a simple desire to understand how politics actually works beyond headlines, social media debates, and coffee shop conversations.
Like many, my early perception of politics was shaped by noise. It often appeared chaotic, emotional, and at times, divisive. But stepping into a structured environment through DAP Youth in Kota Melaka offered something very different — clarity.
What stood out immediately was the emphasis on understanding before reacting. Discussions were not about who was right or wrong, but about why policies exist, how decisions are made, and what trade-offs leaders must consider. It was a space where questioning was encouraged, not silenced. And that, to me, was the first real lesson in politics: it is less about shouting opinions and more about learning to listen, analyse, and respond thoughtfully.
Through various engagements, I began to see politics not as a distant system controlled by a few, but as a living structure shaped by people, perspectives, and participation. The conversations often revolved around real community issues — cost of living, youth opportunities, education, and local governance. These were not abstract topics; they were everyday realities affecting ordinary people.
In the spirit of the blessed month of Ramadan, I had the opportunity to be part of a Bubur Pulut Hitam distribution program with the local community at DUN Duyong. It was more than just a food distribution event—it was an experience that truly embodied the essence of Ramadan: togetherness, humility, and compassion.
What made the experience meaningful was the balance between ideology and practicality. It is easy to speak about change, but understanding the process behind change is a different challenge altogether. Within this setting, I observed how ideas are debated, refined, and sometimes even challenged internally before being presented outwardly. It gave me a deeper respect for the discipline required in political work.
Another key takeaway was the importance of structure. Politics, when approached in an organised and informed environment, becomes less intimidating. There are frameworks, roles, and responsibilities that guide actions. This structure allows young individuals to participate meaningfully rather than feel overwhelmed. It transforms politics from something reactive into something constructive.
More importantly, the journey reshaped my own mindset. I moved from being a passive observer to someone who appreciates the importance of informed engagement. I learned that having an opinion is easy, but having a well-grounded opinion requires effort reading, listening, and understanding different sides of a story.
This experience also highlighted the value of youth involvement. Young people bring energy, new perspectives, and the courage to question existing systems. But without proper guidance and exposure, that energy can easily be misdirected. Platforms like DAP Youth provide a space to channel that energy into meaningful dialogue and action.
Of course, this journey is still ongoing. Politics is not something you “complete” learning it evolves constantly with society. But what this experience has given me is a foundation. A way to approach political issues with more depth, less bias, and greater responsibility.
At its core, my journey with DAP Youth Kota Melaka has not been about choosing sides. It has been about understanding the system, appreciating the process, and recognising that good politics starts with informed individuals.
And perhaps that is the most important lesson of all — before we try to change politics, we must first take the time to truly understand it.
Laguvendran Sandran (laguvendran96@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!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.