Here's an interesting fact. According to Statista, the average age of the Malaysian population is 30.3 as of 2020.
Yet, according to Malaysia's Centre for Public Policy Studies, the median age for the country's parliamentarians aka politicians was at 55.5 in 2018.
In short, despite boasting a young population, the ones who govern Malaysia are the elderly. This was never really a problem until recently.
Racist and sexist remark made at Malaysia's parliament sitting.
After more than four months, Malaysia finally had its first parliament sitting.
The sitting was historic for many reasons. This is the first sitting after the fall of the less than two-year-old Pakatan Harapan government who were elected in 2018.
The sitting is also the first after Perikatan Nasional (a rebrand of the old Barisan Nasional coalition), came controversially into power following 95-year-old Mahathir Mohamad's resignation.
This sitting also saw former speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusoff replaced with former lawyer, Azhar Azizan Harun. The move was considered by many as controversial since speakers can only be replaced if they're either sick or were deceased.
Yet, the sitting will be remembered for the racist, sexist, and uncivil behaviour that cast a spotlight on just how fucked up Malaysian politics can get.
In a debate, Batu Kawan Member of Parliament (MP) Kasthuri Patto was in the middle of sharing her views on the need for more female representatives in the august house when Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim interjected unceremoniously with a racist slur.
"Too dark, can't see," he remarked. Pandemonium ensued.
Boomers out, youths in.
Across Malaysia, hundreds and thousands of youths who watched the proceedings of the parliament via live feeds on social media, cringed collectively at what they were witnessing.
Many took to Twitter to voice their disgust.
Rakyat bayar cukai tiap tahun bukan untuk membayar gaji YB2 berlagak bodoh, maki hamun, unprofessional, sembang kosong & ponteng kat parlimen ya.
Tak boleh kerja sila letak jawatan bagi kat org lain. Banyak lagi calon berwibawa kat luar sana tengah cari kerja! — tpkelhuman (@jomlocalfarm) July 13, 2020
"The people pay their taxes annually so that politicians do their job and not behave stupidly, argue unprofessionally and go absent at the parliament. If you can't work, resign and let someone else work. There are many other better candidates out there looking to work!"
When one is given the floor to speak, let them give their points and debate with maturity, not heckling and throwing condescending words just because @SyedSaddiq as Muar MP is among the young MPs below 35.#ParlimenDigital members were better than these lot. #MasaKita #Ourtime pic.twitter.com/kXUfpIRuNf — Norman Goh (@imnormgoh) July 13, 2020
Young people of Malaysia, take note. If you haven’t, register to vote. It matters. If you still don’t fully understand Malaysian politics & why it matters, & if no one’s gonna educate you, educate yourself. Learn. When it’s time, vote. Vote until you see the change you desire. — Andy Yeoh (@andyyeoh) July 13, 2020
Dear young Malaysians,
Do not ever forget what happened in the dewan rakyat today, what our leaders did and how much they have disrespect all of us thinking politics is a joke.
We shall be better than this, we will lead the country better #MasaKita — #blacklivesmatter (@alupratha) July 13, 2020
Instantly, #MasaKita and #OurTime began trending in Malaysia as many called for youths to replace boomer politicians.
?BOOMERS OUT,
LET YOUTH IN?
? BOOMERS OUT,
LET YOUTH IN?
?BOOMERS OUT,
LET YOUTH IN?
?BOOMERS OUT,
LET YOUTH IN?#MasaKita #OurTurn — Challenger (Change Led by Young Generation) (@Challenger_MY) July 13, 2020
Enough of these dinosaurs running the country to the ground. It is time for the youth to take over. #BeliaAmbilAlih #MasaKita #OurTime https://t.co/a3k9JzqMl3 — Mayna Patel (@Mayna_Patel) July 13, 2020
Time’s up!
Let’s kick these clowns out ??#MasaKita #OurTurn pic.twitter.com/HGGaZS5DXS — Numan Afifi (@NumanAfifi) July 13, 2020
BOOMERS OUT. YOUTHS IN.#MasaKita #OurTurn — POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST INDIANS IN MSIA EXISTS (@balvinxo1) July 13, 2020
Time for new, fresher bloods. #OurTurn #MasaKita https://t.co/UlWnK24MQA — coronaem | #StaySafeMalaysia (@abdulnaem) July 13, 2020
When Batu Kawan asked about women’s representation, Baling apparently said “Gelap tak nampak!” & “Pakai bedak je lah”
Such disgusting racism - absolutely unacceptable!
If this happened in Parlimen Digital, we would have muted & kicked Baling out immediately. — Lim Wei Jiet ?? (@limweijiet) July 13, 2020
Are Malaysia's youth capable of leading?
With Malaysia set to become an ageing population by 2030, the need for youths to take charge of the affairs of the nation has become even more crucial.
As Malaysia's ringgit slid against the U.S. dollar, there's still hope for the Southeast Asian nation to turn things around economically.
According to the World Bank, there are six key areas that'll assist Malaysia's progress to become a high income nation by 2030 and they include gender equality and promoting inclusion.
While it's tough to pinpoint which politician among the current crop of leaders who can lead the nation (72-year-old Anwar Ibrahim comes to mind for some and for others, it's still Mahathir), initiatives have been made to identify these future leaders.
In early July, Challenger Malaysia, Undi 18, and Liga Rakyat Demokratik introduced Parlimen Digital. It was the country's first digital parliament.
Despite being unofficial, 222 youths represented their constituencies and boy did they put many of the current crop of politicians to shame.
For Malaysians who tuned in to catch the first live proceedings of the country's first digital parliament, it was a breath of fresh air.
If there's hope that Malaysia has a chance to better itself, this is it.
Follow Mashable SEA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Cover image sourced from Buletin TV3 / YouTube and Challenger MY / Twitter.
