UMNO TO ENGAGE THE 'YOUNGLINGS'

Ahmad Maslan the Member of Parliament from Pontian was elected as UMNO Information Chief. It came as a surprise to many as he’s unknown to outsiders and even among UMNO grassroots outside Johor.
However I don’t think this is a big problem to begin with. What I would like to know is ‘What are his plans for UMNO?’
I don’t think an Information Chief only function as someone who send word to the grassroots vice versa.
Information Chief has bigger role to play in making sure the sentiments from the leadership are passed down to the grassroots and the desire from the grassroots reached the top echelon of the party leadership.
There shouldn’t be any communication breakdown. Information Chief should be the person to advice the party leadership of any problem besetting the party.
Ahmad Maslan mentioned that he would like to bridge the generation gap. This is nothing new as almost everyone in UMNO promised to listen and talk to the youth but somehow I don’t see any significant changes in support from the youth. What I can say is that he has a lot of work to do.
The younglings today are very well informed group of people. They are well versed with information technology. In this case, Ahmad Maslan should consider embracing information technology.
He should consider shedding any ‘holier than thou’ and patronizing attitude. They are quite wary whenever politicians try to get close to them. They have a notion that all politicians have hidden agenda whenever they politicians try to get ‘intimate’ with them.
I can’t blame them. Many patronizing politicians tried to impose strict regime on them. These are the age group where ‘restriction’ and ‘rules’ are equivalent to death penalty. He needs to thread this carefully, find out ways on how to give what they want and at the same time getting the message across to them younglings.
The government and UMNO should engage the youngsters in debate. Talk to them and find out more about their opinions. Currently there are none representing them. Their opinions are not heard. What the Youth Wings in BN representing are voices and needs of the not-that-young-anymore-youth.
What about the needs of the skate boarders, Mat Rempits, underground musicians, school drop outs, unemployed grads etc? Who are their representatives? We can’t ignore their presence.
Ahmad Maslan should suggest to Najib to relax some ruling in AUKU. This Act has affected the youth more than any other age group. They felt that their voices have been silenced by this Act. Give some room for them to voice out their idealism through political activities.
Relaxing AUKU may give birth to nuisance. But then again, if the government gives its best to serve the country, there’s nothing for young firebrands to complaint.
Whatever it is, Ahmad Maslan should walk the talk. If he intend to engage the younglings and talk to them, go ahead but for a start please don’t talk politics with them.