Young faces in GE14 create new synergy





PENAMPANG, April 29 (Bernama) -- The decision by the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to include more younger leaders in its line-up for the 14th General Election (GE14) is a big step in the right direction as the move will create a new synergy with more seasoned leaders within the coalition.

Penampang BN candidate Ceasar Mandela Malakun said it was refreshing to note the change in the leadership pattern in entrusting and accepting, with an open mind, young leaders to be frontliners for the coalition.

"These young leaders are the second echelon of leaders that will lead Sabah into the future and must be given all the support they can get from all in BN," he said.

He added that it might not have been easy for the leadership to pick the young crop of leaders against a list of more experienced ones who had proven their worth but the bold move could only be described as visionary.

"For this, we are grateful to BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for endorsing the candidacies, including mine, to be a part of this dynamic line-up this time around," he said in a statement here today.

Mandela, who is representing UPKO in GE14 said the younger generation of leaders would help spur Sabah and BN to greater heights from this timely decision made by its present leaders.

"The top leadership has encouraged young leaders to rise above with their capabilities, to learn and gain from the experience as well as opportunities they are given to contest," he said.

He noted that many young leaders were eager to step into the Sabah leadership fold with more responsibilities and with the likes of Sabah Umno Youth chief, Yamani Hafez Musa, PBRS deputy president Arthur Kurup, Gerakan Youth deputy chief Chan Tzun Hei and Upko Komulakan (Youth) chief, Ewon Benedick, among others, exciting times were ahead.

Mandela, who is also KDCA Youth Council chairman, said the younger generation of highly capable leaders should not be stifled by the negative vibes of "jaded" leaders who feared new challenges as the country transformed.

"I wish to reiterate, things can only get better from here and we should not only stop at elevating the handful few but this transformation should also be reflected at all levels from the grassroots level right up to the top leadership of the BN coalition," he said.

-- BERNAMA