MELAKA: Young candidates should be given the opportunity to prove their ability to serve the people instead of being judged solely by their age and experience, says Datuk Seri Adly Zahari.
The Melaka Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said Amanah's Muhammad Mukhlisul Mubin Julasapiyah, 25, who is contesting Kuala Linggi, and PKR's Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir, 26, who is standing in Kelebang, represented the potential of a younger generation ready to take on public responsibilities.
Adly said he was grateful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu for naming Mukhlisul as the candidate for Kuala Linggi.
He acknowledged that Mukhlisul had faced criticism over his age, experience and background, but said the young candidate was sincere in putting forward ideas and seeking prompt solutions to people's problems.
“He is sincere in putting forward his ideas and wants solutions to people's problems to be delivered quickly and responsively,” he said at a closed-door hi-tea session with members of the media here on Friday (Oct 30).
On questions surrounding assistance linked to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Adly said Mukhlisul had been a volunteer before the election and was entitled to provide assistance through cooperation with the relevant agencies.
He also explained Mukhlisul's meeting with the Prime Minister's political secretary, saying they were from the same party and shared a good friendship, rather than the meeting being a matter of having political connections.
Adly said elected representatives naturally had networks that could help them address issues affecting their constituencies.
Government representatives, in particular, could work with the Chief Minister, and young representatives should make use of such networks to help the people, he added.
He said the possibility of making mistakes should not discourage young leaders from taking action.
“If you do more, you may make more mistakes. But if you do not want to make mistakes, then do not do anything,” he said.
Adly said young people tended to focus less on risks and more on results, which he considered a positive quality.
“Although people sometimes look too much at the risks, young people tend to look less at the risks and more at the results. I think that is good for us,” he said.
Rejecting stereotypes that young people were fragile, Adly said both candidates were educated, knowledgeable and resilient.
He said Mukhlisul was not easily intimidated despite facing criticism and personal attacks on social media.
Adly urged voters in Kuala Linggi and Kelebang to give the two candidates an opportunity to serve, saying their aspiration to contribute to society at a young age was important regardless of the election outcome.
