PETALING JAYA: The coming-together of Parti Warisan Sabah and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) promises a good platform to groom young leaders to take over, says Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“Warisan and Muda is a track where we can play our part to help young leadership, ” said Shafie.
The yet-to-be-registered Muda is headed by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who has also said that an an announcement on a Warisan-Muda pact is imminent.
“We wait for the announcement. Put aside politics. The style of politics of Shafie is good for Malaysia. It is difficult to see a high level politician who talks about unity and managed to bring it in Sabah successfully, ” said Syed Saddiq.
“As a Malay Muslim, this is good for Malaysia and we should celebrate this. We should form a platform of many races and religions, moderation - policy-based politics instead of personality- based politics alone, ” added the former youth and sports minister
Both of them were speaking on a programme called “Friendly Chat - We Unite” aired live on Facebook on Saturday (April 17) night.
During the one-hour programme, the two leaders discussed issues such as national unity beyond race and how it is important for the country to groom the youth to take over the leadership.
Shafie, who was the Sabah chief minister under the previous Pakatan Harapan government, said that he has always encouraged the young to excel in politics.
“It is important for leaders of this country to realise that we must let the young take over. Even in Islam, 18 years old is considered mature. We should not be too worried. We should not be greedy and worry someone will take over from us one day, ” he said.
“They may stumble along the way but we guide them to prepare for the challenges. We have much talent and potential, ” added Shafie.
He named Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba as some of the younger ones whom he has pushed to the fore while he was in Umno.
Shafie also said half of the Warisan leaders he recommended to be Federal Ministers under Pakatan were those below the age of 40.
Syed Saddiq also said that it is time for Malaysia to cross race-divisive politics and celebrate diversity using the democratic system.
“Our future depends on each other and we should build more bridges. The rise and fall of a nation depends on everyone - development of the nation should ensure shared prosperity, ” he said
He added that any government in power will have to admit that the mandate is from the people.
“There is no such thing as a winner takes all - whereby those in power cannot do only what they want but must follow the system of democracy, ” said Syed Saddiq.
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