Kuala Lumpur:A total of 1,689 candidates from 12 parties will contest 222 seats nationwide in the Malaysia Youth Parliament (PBMy) elections on November 1 and 2. Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul announced that the elections would utilize a proportional representation system, with voting conducted online via the ePBMy application.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johari, who is also PBMy patron, emphasized the elections as an opportunity for young people to experience an alternative system of representation and leverage digital technology for democratic participation. He urged Malaysian youths aged between 18 and 30, who registered as voters through the ePBMy application by October 28, 2026, to engage in the voting process.

The elections are part of efforts to enhance young people's understanding of parliamentary democracy. The participation of 1,689 candidates illustrates the youths' interest in engaging actively in the democratic process and contributing ideas on issues affecting the country's future.

PBMy serves not only as a contest to elect youth representatives but also as a platform for democratic education, offering exposure to elections, representation systems, policy debates, and leadership responsibilities. Johari highlighted that democracy requires maturity, integrity, mutual respect, and acceptance of differing views.

He emphasized that PBMy should remain a non-partisan platform free from mainstream political party influence, open to youths from diverse backgrounds. Johari expressed hope that the initiative would cultivate a future generation of leaders who are knowledgeable, principled, and mindful of their societal responsibilities.