Youth group Challenger has called for a third force to rise up against both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional.
They said that both coalitions were plagued with political uncertainty and signified the "old way" of doing politics.
"The political uncertainty currently plaguing both Harapan and PN have reduced the people to mere collateral damage, impeding on our freedoms as citizens and tarnishing what it means to be Malaysian," the group said in a statement today.
PN they said, had "bastardised" democratic institutions with their power grab, passed laws without parliamentary debate, acquitted high profile individuals accused of bribery and corruption without trial and dismissed capable GLC leaders.
While Harapan, it said, was facing an endless power dispute over who should be their prime minister candidate.
"All these issues are symptoms of a historically systemic problem, characteristic of old politics.
"It is time, we believe, for life to be breathed into a new movement that will reset the Malaysian political landscape," it said.
Challenger said signs of this "unstoppable" rising third force could be seen through the successful organising of the Parlimen Digital initiative by youths though it was impeded by systemic hindrances to frontline politics.
Challenger was one of three co-organisers of Parlimen Digital together with Undi18 and the Liga Demokratik Malaysia.
Held in response to the controversial one-day Parliament sitting on May 18, the initiative was organised with the aim of youth empowerment and proving that Parliament proceedings could be fully conducted online.
Held last weekend on Zoom and streamed online, it saw 222 participants between the age of 15 and 35 debating an economic booster package for youths amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. They also discussed solutions for marginalised communities affected by the outbreak.
Challenger also said a third force movement must encompass marginalised voices, especially that of youths and women.
"It is time to learn from the mistakes of our elders and let go of the old ways. It is time for new innovations championed by fresh faces to take command in leading our beloved nation.
"Malaysia belongs to her people - not to politicians. We, the youth of today, are taking note. We are watching, we are listening and we are not afraid to speak our minds," they said.
Challenger first came to prominence in 2016 when Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was its spokesperson.
Syed Saddiq quit the group shortly before he joined Bersatu that same year and later becoming the Harapan youth and sports minister in 2018.
On June 28, the Muar MP, while praising DAP's Yeo Bee Yin capabilities, commented on social media that more youths were needed in politics and "not the same oldies fighting for power".
More recently, he withdrew his name from a suit suing Bersatu for wrongfully dismissing him as a member.
His lawyer said Syed Saddiq sought the withdrawal because he wished to focus on his political struggles on a different platform. - Mkini
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