Malaysian youths deserves a role in the nation building process as policies passed will affect them as a whole.
Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) pro tem president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said decisions made today will effect people of tomorrow thus leaving key policies at the helm of senior representatives alone may not be the best option.
"In reality, Malaysia as a developing nation should treat young people as leaders of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he told Sinar Daily.
He speaks in light of the YOUTH P.a.c.t 2022 (Youth Partnership in Action to Change Tomorrow) set to be held this weekend on Jan 8 and 9, which celebrates the diversity in power of young people in Malaysia.
Syed Saddiq expressed hope that Malaysian youths would be more involved in the decision-making process.
"In celebrating the power of the youth, it will also acknowledge Malaysia as a country which does not only sees young people as bystanders or those who merely can give an opinion, but those who have a seat at the decision-making table.
"This would prove the credibility of youths in becoming more involved in nation building,” he said.
On his book titled "Becoming An Agent of Change - How Debate Changed My Life” published June this year, he talked about how debate Syed Saddiq said he felt the need to encourage youths to join debate as a way to be more articulate and knowledgeable on current issues.
"I first joined debate with the wrong intention of skipping military training that took place at night or on the weekends, but in the end I fell in love with it as it gave me the willpower to keep on learning,” he said, adding that he benefited a lot from it since the age of 16.