Introducing proportional representation (PR) to the Youth Parliament is a “game changer” that shifts young leaders’ focus from personality-driven politics to party-based governance, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
In an interview with theSun, Johari described the reform as part of a broader institutional overhaul following the Parliament Services Act 2023 (PSA), which restored Parliament’s administrative independence and enabled long-term programmes to be formally embedded in its structure.
“This is not a one-off programme. It is now institutionalised. With the PSA, we are autonomous and independent. These programmes are budgeted for and form part of the institution. Whoever comes after me, the system continues,” he said.
From Grassroots To National Leadership
Previously overseen by the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Youth Parliament’s mandate has expanded from training grassroots youth leaders to grooming future national leaders. Johari said: “Previously, the objective was to train youth leaders to lead clubs or associations. I asked myself: Why not upgrade the objective? Why not nurture national leaders?”
A major structural change aligns Youth Parliament membership with the 222 Dewan Rakyat seats, replacing the prior 100-member format. Johari explained: “If the real Malaysian Parliament has 222 MPs, then Youth Parliament should mirror that. When they sit there, they must feel this is the real thing, an incubator for future national leadership.”
Proportional Representation Encourages Party-Based Politics
Johari introduced PR into Youth Parliament elections, replacing the first-past-the-post system. “Under first-past-the-post, it is often about the individual – ‘vote for me, I am the best.’ Sometimes, people don’t even know what party you represent. It becomes personality-driven,” he said.
PR requires candidates to run under a party banner, with seats allocated according to the proportion of votes each party secures. Johari said this approach forces aspiring leaders to develop party vision, structure, and inclusivity, moving beyond narrow racial or religious mobilisation tactics.
Coalition-Building And Political Maturity
The Youth Parliament also exposes participants to coalition-building realities. With PR, no single party is likely to dominate, requiring negotiation and alliances. “They must learn to form coalitions. Party A may win 40% of seats but cannot form the government alone. They must work with Party B or C. That is political maturity,” Johari said.
To operationalise the model, 12 youth-based political parties have been formed across public universities after discussions with vice-chancellors and university leaders. “We expect leaders to emerge from universities. These students have gone through leadership processes already,” he said.
Johari highlighted that universities, alumni, and academia now have a stake in the Youth Parliament, fostering institutional pride and competition. “It is no longer about attacking an individual. If you attack the party, you are attacking the institution it represents.”
Youth Parliament Resolutions Have Real Impact
Resolutions passed by Youth Parliament members will be formally referred to Dewan Rakyat Select Committees. “If they pass 12 resolutions – on politics, business, international relations – I will refer them to the appropriate select committees. Real MPs will debate them and ministers must respond,” Johari said.
Currently, Parliament has 10 select committees covering various policy areas. Johari described the dual structure as creating “two parliaments” – one present, one future – operating in tandem.
“The future Parliament feeds into the present Parliament. That is how the wheels start moving. I am not talking about yesterday or today. I am talking about tomorrow. Fifty per cent of our voters are young voters. If we want meaningful reform in the future, we must start with them now.”
