MELAKA: Voters should give a chance to younger candidates running for federal seats during the 15th general election (GE15), says Barisan Nasional’s Kota Melaka candidate Kon Qi Yao.
MCA’s Kon, 41, said the younger line-up could also help steer the country to greater heights, with senior leaders instead playing advisory roles.
“This is not to say that senior leaders are no good. Instead, the development of our country is moving at a fast pace and younger candidates would be more in tune with such changes,” he said after announcing his Kota Melaka manifesto on Saturday (Nov 12).
This is especially important when it comes to executing plans or projects, Kon said.
“I know this first hand given my corporate background. Something may look good on paper but if we cannot execute, it remains akin to just showing people something is being done.
“The current government's plans are also good but there are drawbacks in terms of execution across various layers,” he said, adding that younger leaders could improve this.
He added that the Federal Cabinet should also consist of younger ministers, citing how Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin handled the Covid-19 crisis in Malaysia.
“If you look at the way Khairy handled the Covid-19 pandemic, you can see that he received praise not only from Malaysians but also his international counterparts.
“This is one example of how the young can successfully lead the country,” he said, adding that he hoped Sungai Buloh voters could show support for Khairy during GE15.
Commenting on his campaign walkabouts, Kon also noted how many voters here had expressed excitement that MCA was fielding a younger candidate for the seat, this time round.
“They mentioned that it was a good sign (for a young candidate) where the young can do something for both the constituency and the country,” he said.
Kon is in a four-cornered fight for the Kota Melaka seat against incumbent Khoo Poay Tiong of Pakatan Harapan, Suhaime Borhan of Perikatan Nasional, and Independent Datuk Dr Norazalanshah Hazali.
