Question for parties - hey, remember us?

Both the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and opposition parties have come under fire by the fledgling Parti Mahasiswa Negara (PMN) for ignoring the needs and interests of young voters.

Spokesperson Shuhada Ismail said today that BN has failed to build character among youth, leading to loss of identity and diminishing of religious and cultural values among them.

Opposition parties PAS, PKR and DAP did not escape scathing indictment either during the PMN’s press conference in Kampung Berembang in Ampang, Selangor.

Also present were president Azlan Zainal (photo) and committee members Zainulfaqar Yaacob, Meor Afandi Meor Abd. Aziz and Sheikh Umar.

"They are not interested in coming up with approaches that attract the younger generation. All political parties should be aware that it’s the younger generation that will decide Malaysia’s fate over the next 50 years," said Shuhada.

Focusing on Budget 2008, the group said the government of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has merely paid lip-service to the concept of free education.

The allocation for higher education for the current year has been set at RM12 billion, alongside plans to abolish school fees as well as to provide text books free of charge regardless of income and family background.

"Even though the BN government promised free education, the people still have to pay hundreds of ringgit in school fees. Graduates are also weighed down by student loans that have to be repaid at an interest rate of 3 percent," Shuhada said.

The group reiterated its determination to challenge Umno leaders including party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kepala Batas (Penang), Mustapa Mohamed in Jeli (Kelantan) and Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Hussein in Semburung (Johor).

"Challenging Pak Lah has nothing to do with hatred or revenge. We will show our maturity and courage in upholding the democratic responsibility of graduates by contesting in Kepala Batas (where Abdullah is the incumbent MP)."

The members also claimed that they have been ignored by national leaders.

"We failed to meet any minister to discuss critical issues such as the welfare of graduates, student loans and political interference in universities. The ministers just gave impertinent reasons to put off the meetings," Shuhada claimed.

Asked about discussions with opposition parties to enable PMN to contest one-to-one with the Umno trio, Azlan said the negotiations have not been completed as yet, but that the group is determined to contest even if it means entering a three-corner fight.

"We urge the people to play a bigger role by kicking out candidates whose credibility and ability to rule the country are in doubt," said Azlan.

Asked why the press conference was being held at Kampung Berembang - the site of a massive eviction exercise last year - Azlan said it was to highlight the fact that the government had not dealt with residents in an even-handed manner.