KUCHING: Younger people must build their careers, family, acquire a lot of experience in life and obtain wisdom before getting into politics with a wish to stand in elections.
The advice comes from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Seri Abdul Karim who at 62 is a veteran politician.
He said though Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) have lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, it does not mean that when they reach the age of 18, they should put themselves up as candidates.
“Well, look at life from a different perspective. If everyone wants to be a candidate and to contest, you will not enjoy life.
“You only live once. You have to go through courtship, marriage, raise a family, build up a career, and this will take a while.
“Based on my personal observation, a good time for you to put yourself up as a candidate is either in the late 30s or 40s. Not too late, not too early. If it is too early, you will deprive yourself of that enjoyment in life.
“But that does not mean that I don’t agree. If you want to set up a party, you can. Even at the age of 18, you can still set up a party,” he told reporters in a press conference at Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) on Monday.
Abdul Karim was asked about former Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (Sedar) Supreme council member Jocky Jim Ungka’s remarks that Sarawak needs to have a new party which represents the voice of young people in the upcoming general election.
He said acquiring experience before going into politics and becoming an election candidate was very important.
“Many might not agree with me but personally, I see that, don’t rush into politics. Enjoy life … if you are a young boy, fall in love, go into courting, build up your career. After you have attained that, build up a family, then you can go into politics,” he said.
He also pointed out that one cannot look at politics purely as a career.
“For instance, with due respect, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has set up Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA). I hope he can withstand the difficulties because in politics it is not going to be easy.
“We have seen it here also, somebody who entered politics together with me in 2001, at the age of 21 was (Julau MP) Larry Sng, he joined politics and contested at the age of 21. It is not going to be easy.
“There are some who are able to withstand it, such as (former prime minister) Datuk Seri Najib Razak who went into politics at the age of 24 or 25. He was born into a family of politicians. From that family itself, they are able to learn,” he stressed.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development said for someone new to join politics and try to build their career in politics, it will be tough for them.
“There will be a lot of things that you will miss out in life and one of them is courtship, being able to be just like any other people – going out, holding hands, watching movies.
“Working politicians aren’t able to do that kind of thing. Not many are able to do that. They miss that kind of life. Even myself, I missed a lot of things the moment I went into politics,” he said.
