MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan’s young candidates must prove their commitment beyond election season, says Melaka Angkatan Muda Harapan (AMH), as it seeks to field at least five to six youth representatives in the upcoming state election.
Melaka AMH chief Muhammad Ridhuan Abu Samah said young leaders should be given opportunities to contest suitable seats alongside experienced candidates in the Nov 14 Melaka polls.
However, he stressed that community service and consistent work, rather than popularity, should guide their selection ahead of Nomination Day.
"We hope to see more young candidates, but they must be those who have been working consistently, not those who only start serving because they want to be candidates," he said when met on Friday (Oct 16).
Ridhuan said younger candidates could bring fresh ideas and connect with voters their age, while experienced leaders remained essential to balanced leadership.
"Young people have fresh ideas, but we also recognise the importance of the experience and ideas of senior leaders.
"These must be balanced with the aspirations of the youth," he said.
He added that AMH was not directly involved in candidate selection, as each Pakatan component party would decide on its choices before submitting them to the coalition leadership.
"AMH leaves it entirely to the state and central leadership to determine the candidates and suitable seats for young representatives.
"We will support whoever Pakatan chooses to ensure victory," he said.
He added that AMH would intensify efforts to engage young voters through sports, e-sports and community service programmes.
"People prefer to judge leaders by their actions, rather than promises alone," he said.
