Umno Youth election a race between two men in their 40s?

The upcoming Umno Youth chief election is starting off as a race between two men in their 40s.

The main contender is incumbent deputy youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun, who is 42 this year.

Challenging him is former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, also aged 42.

There is no age limit for the Umno Youth chief position, although membership in the wing ends at 40.

Political analyst Faisal Hazis from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said this was not the right direction for Umno to head in to transform the party.

"People in the 40s or 50s could helm the party, so its youth chief should be someone younger.

"This is part of the process of rejuvenating the party from warlords and local strongmen, and also to make it more acceptable to younger voters," Faisal told Malaysiakini.

Another political analyst, Awang Azman Awang Pawi, held similar views.

"If Umno Youth wants a more effective youth leader then its candidate must be someone below 35 years old to inspire and be a voice to young Malaysians," Awang Azman said.

He pointed to Pakatan Harapan youth leaders from DAP, PKR and Bersatu, who are all below the age of 40.

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is 36; DAP's Wong Kah Woh, 38; and Bersatu's Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is 26. Amanah Youth chief Sany Hamzan turns 40 this year.

Awang Azman said the next Umno Youth chief should also dare to speak out against the top leadership without fear or favour and "not just when the leader has been defeated."

Faisal, however, says that having a young Umno Youth leader would not suffice, as the party also needs to change its political culture.

"Money politics should be uprooted, the elitist image of the party should also be changed, and the culture of holding party positions as a shortcut to getting rich should be stopped," he said.

Nominations for the Umno elections close on June 17. 

Outgoing Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin - who is contesting for a vice-president post - had previously rejected a proposal to limit membership in the wing to those under the age of 30.

This is despite plans when he was youth and sports minister to set the age limit for youth NGO members at 30. -Mkini