Major Reforms for Malaysian Youth Parliament (PBMy) to Cultivate Future Leaders

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul announced significant policy and system reforms for the Malaysian Youth Parliament (PBMy), starting next year, aimed at cultivating a new generation of prepared, competent, and inclusive young leaders.

A key reform is the implementation of an electoral system based on Proportional Representation and Closed Party List, where youth voters (18-30) will choose PBMy members based on party manifestos rather than individual candidates. The Malaysian Parliament will fully manage these online elections, offering seven parties for universities nationwide to represent, with each competing for 222 seats (mirroring the Dewan Rakyat).

The first PBMy elections under this new system are expected to be held entirely online next year, with the first group convening in June 2026. PBMy sittings will occur three times annually, debating major issues, and resolutions will be channeled to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee for potential discussion in the Dewan Rakyat. Johari views this as a long-term investment in quality national leadership, believing PBMy will be a "game-changer" in shaping credible and resilient future leaders.