Youth Politics in Keadilan.

https://www.facebook.com/643486772/posts/10159212518636773/?d=n

The AMK I know and the kind of youth politics that I am exposed to.

I joined Keadilan in 2016 and have been in the youth wing, Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) since then. Let me brief you about some past & present AMK figures that I know.

YB Nik Nazmi - Former AMK Chief

After serving two terms as ADUN for Seri Setia, (also one term Deputy Speaker for Selangor DUN, one term EXCO), he was moved to contest for a parliamentary seat.

Did he get a safe seat? No. He contested in Setiawangsa, a BN stronghold that had not been won by others before 2018.

YB Chang Lih Kang - Former AMK Secretary

After serving two terms as ADUN for Teja (Perak), he was moved to contest for a parliamentary seat.

Did he get a safe seat? No. He contested in Tanjong Malim, a MCA stronghold that had not been won by others before 2018.

YB Akmal Nasir - Current AMK Chief

Back in 2018, as a then prospective next-in-line AMK leadership, he was to contest for his first election.

Did he get a safe seat? No. He contested in Johor Bahru, against 7-term MP Shahrir Abdul Samad, who was also a former UMNO minister. Also, a stronghold that had not been won by others before 2018.

I remember I asked YB Chang Lih Kang about what triggered him to contest in Tanjong Malim and his answer, was indeed a valuable lesson for me-

“Back then, when we first joined politics, there were no safe seats. Also, as young politicians, I thought we need to bring added values to the party and coalition. If the younger ones only want to hide in safe seats, then who to champion for reformasi? Who to drive changes for the party & for the country?”

Yes, this is the kind of youth politics that I am exposed to.

It’s not about how you can win, because before you win, you have to show sufficient willpower to fight.

Of course, along the way, the party showed some shortcomings and weaknesses. However, one can never discredit how our youth leaders have fought despite all the obstacles.

To cultivate “new politics” is no doubt some admirable effort. But the real challenge lies in converting these rhetorics into real impacts, and that’s before we even talk about real policies that could bring the country forward.

Safe seats are to be fought for, not demanded for.

You cannot just enjoy the fruits of your friends', then turn into an ungrateful cry baby when your friends haven’t given you enough. Fight, fight all in if you really want to bring impacts.