The Post-Reformasi Generation

JAN 27 — Recently I spoke at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat Young Leaders Forum in Subang Jaya. This forum was organised to showcase the young leaders who were elected in the recent party elections. People often forget that the 2010 party elections have given Keadilan one of the youngest and most dynamic leadership cadres in the country. 

Still, preparing for the event made me realise that the struggle for change in Malaysia needs to continue, to move on to the next stage.  

I spoke at the forum on how Keadilan and Pakatan Rakyat must continue to engage young Malaysians, particularly the group called the “Post-Reformasi Generation.” These are the younger counterparts of the “Reformasi Generation”, who played a crucial role in the momentous 2008 general election. 

I am part of that Reformasi Generation. Even though I was already politically conscious, the popular movement that emerged after the sacking of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 galvanised me like it did so many other young Malaysians. 

It also made us aware that Malaysia needed a multiracial alternative to Umno’s sectarianism. The Reformasi Generation — now in their late 20s and 30s — worked and voted for change in 2008. They are vital to Pakatan’s push to Putrajaya. 

Nevertheless, we must not also neglect to cater to the youngest cohort of voters today — those 21 to 25 years old. They were only in primary school when Reformasi took place. Keadilan needs something more than the “Spirit of ‘98” to win their support.

Case in point: one of my young interns told me that his memories of the Reformasi are rather hazy. Much of what he knew comes from his own Internet research and readings, in a manner reminiscent of how my generation learnt about politics, albeit without the online resources. 

However, not all young Malaysians are as politically conscious as my intern. Polling data has shown that they tend to be disinterested in politics altogether. Still, it is important that we engage them, not only for their votes, but because their raw human capital will be essential in any future plans for reform. 

The short-sighted and spin-obsessed policies of the Najib government continue to drive talented young Malaysians overseas by the droves. The challenge for Keadilan and Pakatan is not only getting them out to vote, but to give them a sense of hope, unity and purpose towards reviving Malaysia’s flagging fortunes. 

Pakatan must come up with policies that can provide Malaysia with youth-driven growth, powered by the creative drive and entrepreneurial spirit of our young. It will take more than just holding job fairs to make young Malaysians feel empowered and enfranchised again.

Technology will be vital. The Post-Reformasi Generation has grown up with ICT as a constant presence in their lives. They have access to information, free from control that previous generations could only dream about. 

Furthermore, social media like Facebook and Twitter gives them the means to discuss and debate the vital issues of the day. Still, the political awakening of young Malaysians needs to move beyond the cybersphere.

Evgeny Morozov, a Belarusian blogger argues in “The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom”, that the impact of Internet-based political activism is overrated. I do not fully agree with him, but one must concede that changing a country sometimes takes a little bit more than just clicking the “like” button on a Facebook campaign page.

If the Reformasi and the events in Tunisia can teach us anything, it’s that democracy must often be won against police brutality and official intimidation. The Internet, while powerful, is not omnipotent. 

There is still a huge digital divide in Malaysia that needs to be bridged. Indeed, the early Reformasi activists often had to print and photocopy news from websites for distribution in the rural areas. Our online prowess is useless if we can’t get people out to vote, or if we don’t even bother to vote ourselves.  

My point is that young Malaysians who want to move their country forward cannot run away from the formal side of politics: joining and being active in parties, voting and standing for elections. Conversely, Keadilan must live up to their ideals and expectations if they want them to be so involved. 

I believe Keadilan can rise to this challenge. As I mentioned before, young people play key roles at all levels of our party and are strongly represented amongst our elected representatives, as in all Pakatan parties. Our youth wing, the Angkatan Muda, is truly representative of the youth with its 35-year-old limit that will be in effect from 2013 onwards. 

But it’s not only enough to be a youthful party. We need to be where young Malaysians are, to speak their language and address their concerns. 

We need to provide them with more than just the same old circus of Barisan Nasional. We must restore their belief that they have a stake in their country, that they can change it. 

I hope that young Malaysians will constantly give us feedback in this regard, to let us know about their hopes and dreams for the country, of how Keadilan and Pakatan can better serve it. The fight for Malaysia’s future begins today.  

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is the communications director for Keadilan and state assemblyman for Seri Setia. His book, “Moving Forward: Malays for the 21st Century”, was published in 2010 and he tweets as niknazmi.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.