Building a new breed of leaders

The sitting of Dewan Waghih highlighted how Negri Sembilan’s diverse and merit-based youth assembly can become a model for principled, values-driven leadership in Malaysia.

BACK in 2022 I was asked to officiate the opening of the youth state assembly of Negri Sembilan, known as the Dewan Waghih, one of the first model parliaments in Malaysia for young people, under the auspices of the state foundation. Unfortunately I was travelling then, so I was pleased to be invited again to open the latest sitting this week, and to accept their invitation to become their patron.

With 36 members mirroring the actual constituencies of the state assembly, membership is based on merit with no party affiliations present: perhaps an interesting innovation we might want to adopt in our real legislative bodies!

Similar set ups now exist across all the states, and I think this could be a significant platform in creating a new generation of policymakers who care about evidence and values, instead of merely promoting personalities or raw power. Certainly recent events have shown how sick most Malaysians are about political opportunism.

I had some enjoyable conversations with several members after the official proceedings: they represent the ethnic and religious diversity of Negri Sembilan, and their passions range from education and law, to children’s rights and using sport as a catalyst for unity.

I also half-joked that perhaps they will sit more often and more effectively than the actual state assembly for this session!

An excerpt of what I told the members in my opening speech is below, but I’m afraid no English renditions of the “perbilangan adat” or customary sayings will properly capture their original poetic punch!

“Today’s ceremony isn’t just an official event. It symbolises the birth of a great responsibility to be shouldered by the next generation of Negri Sembilan youth in amplifying community voices, strengthening leadership and shaping the state’s development in an organised and meaningful way.

“Negri Sembilan is a state with its own identity, known not just for its history and adat traditions, but also for strong community values such as consensus, respect and tolerance.

“As a customary saying goes: ‘Moo when in a buffalo pen / Bleat when in a goat pen / Apply the customs of where you are at.’

“You are here not only to debate, but to learn to become leaders close to the people and understand their problems. See for yourselves the pulse of the community to bring value and meaning to your leadership.

“The Dewan Waghih must become an important platform in fostering youth leadership, not a mere symbolic body that exists merely in name.

“Its objectives are clear: to develop youth leadership rich in knowledge, integrity and human values; to be a space to understand the democratic system and professional public policymaking; to be a bridge between youth and the community; and to nurture effective problem-solving.

“In this regard, I hope you will be articulate in giving your views; rational in making decisions based on facts and data; prioritise transparency in your actions; apply humane values in approaching the people’s problems; and become dynamic, proactive youth capable of driving positive change.

“I understand you will be running community service programmes to collect data, understand local problems and analyse their root causes before discussions in this youth parliament.

“This is a culture of politics and leadership we need to build: one based on knowledge and solutions, rather than judging without understanding, or simply blaming others.

“This is all the more crucial given the fast pace at which technology is changing our world. Artificial Intelligence, automation and the digital economy are changing how we learn, work and communicate.

“While there is a great opportunity to grow, there are also considerable challenges, including emotional and mental. Many desire quick success, enraptured by idealised social media lifestyles. Others lose their direction and self-confidence.

“And this is why technology must be used with wisdom: to increase knowledge, build networks and economic opportunities, and bring benefits to the community. And certainly, don’t abuse technology to distribute slander, hate and divisiveness.

“With the passing of Undi 18 and increase in the youth vote, young voices have a bigger role to play in determining the country’s future.

“But politics should not be seen as a space for political power play: this will not bring us forward. Rather, this is an opportunity to strengthen national development and ensure continued stability.

“The nation needs leaders who want to unite the people, to understand differences without being enemies, and who retain courtesy and manners. As the saying goes: ‘Water is round because of pipes / People come round because of consensus’. You need cooperation to develop, and that’s why I hope this body will be inclusive and prioritise dialogue. Acknowledge diversity in opinion while reaching across it.

“Congratulations to the all those selected as members!”

Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin is patron of Dewan Waghih Negri Sembilan. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.