Time for the old guard to let go

 Some of our ageing political leaders seem more interested in fighting yesterday's political battles than addressing tomorrow's challenges.

An extract from Plato’s “Republic” reads: “Said the old Cephalus to the younger Socrates, ‘Older men of my age flock together and in our meeting my common tale is – I cannot eat, I cannot drink, the pleasure of youth and love have fled away, there was a good time once, but now gone, and life is no longer ours.'”

Such is the reality of ageing, and perhaps there is a lesson here for politicians who have overstayed their welcome in the political arena.

I hope that the impending Melaka state election will be an eye-opener for Malaysians, particularly our political leaders who seem to have difficulty recognising when it is time to call it a day.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and many politicians of his generation should seriously consider retiring from politics.

Judging from their regular outbursts and political pronouncements, some appear increasingly disconnected from the realities, aspirations and concerns of ordinary Malaysians.

Their political vocabulary, arguments and preoccupations seem to belong to another era.

Hadi’s latest outburst is a case in point.

In his reaction to the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) between opposition MPs and the government, he likened the arrangement to the deception of the Dajjal.

Whatever one’s views about the CSA, surely there are more constructive ways to debate a parliamentary arrangement. It is one thing to disagree with a political agreement; it is quite another to invoke apocalyptic religious imagery to discredit it.

Such rhetoric does little to advance public understanding or the quality of our political discourse.

Malaysia is rapidly changing

This is precisely the problem with some of our ageing political leaders. They seem more interested in fighting yesterday’s political battles than addressing tomorrow’s challenges.

Our younger population is concerned about employment, housing affordability, wages, education, technology, artificial intelligence, green agenda and the rising cost of living.

They want practical solutions, economic opportunities and a government that understands the world they are growing up in.

Yet much of our political conversation remains trapped in old rivalries, identity politics, religious arguments and endless disputes over who should be in power and who should become prime minister.

How much longer must Malaysians listen to identity and religious politics from the same personalities with the same political arguments?

Hadi is not alone. Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former federal minister Rais Yatim and several other long-serving political figures should seriously consider leaving the political arena as well.

They have had their opportunities, occupied important positions and exercised considerable influence over the country’s political upheavals. They should recognise that political leadership is not a lifetime entitlement.

There is a difference between serving the country and holding on to political power. After decades in politics, surely there comes a time when personal ambition must give way to institutional renewal.

Our political parties should not be personal properties, nor should their leadership positions become permanent appointments. No individual should be indispensable to a political party, let alone to an entire nation.

Malaysia’s political weakness

One of Malaysia’s biggest political weaknesses is the reluctance of senior politicians to groom and give way to younger leaders. They continue to dominate party structures, determine candidate selections and control political narratives.

Young politicians are often expected to wait patiently for their turn, while the same senior personalities continue to occupy the top positions election after election.

This is unhealthy.

A political party cannot produce new leaders or renew its leadership in a hierarchy that is dominated by ageing politicians. PAS, Bersatu and Umno are clear examples.

Do they genuinely believe in the future of their parties or are they simply protecting their own positions?

I fully agree with the argument about giving younger politicians greater opportunities.

The emergence of younger leaders should not merely be an electoral gimmick to attract younger voters. They must be given real responsibilities, decision-making authority and opportunities to shape national policies.

Of course, being young does not automatically make someone a capable leader. Experience, integrity, competence and sound judgment matter.

But these qualities cannot be the exclusive possessions of older politicians, either. Young leaders need opportunities to acquire experience, and they cannot do so if the older generation refuses to release its grip.

Let the younger generation make mistakes, learn from them and develop their own leadership capabilities. That is how political maturity is built. We cannot keep telling young people that they lack experience while denying them the opportunity to gain it.

There is also a larger democratic question. How can we expect a country to embrace new ideas, modernise its institutions and prepare for the future when much of its political leadership remains occupied by personalities whose political careers began several decades ago?

The world is moving on

Technology, economic structures, international competition and the expectations of younger citizens are changing. Political leadership must change with them.

For Hadi, Muhyiddin, Zahid and scores of others who have spent much of their lives in politics, perhaps the greatest contribution they can now make is to step aside gracefully.

They can offer advice, share their experience and allow the next generation to take responsibility. They do not need to remain party presidents, political kingmakers or permanent fixtures in our national politics.

The Melaka election should be more than another contest between political coalitions. It should also be an opportunity for voters to consider the kind of leadership they want for the next decade and beyond.

Malaysia needs a political generation that looks forward, not backwards; one that debates policies rather than personalities, solves problems rather than manufactures controversies, and builds institutions rather than protects individual political careers.

Enough is enough. You have had your time. You have had your opportunities. It is time to let go. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT