Politics and expertise must go hand in hand, say young leaders

PKR Youth's Noor Amelia Zainabila Zaiffri and Puteri Umno's Shamellya Norazizi argued that both technocratic expertise and political judgment are essential for effective policymaking, according to a recent podcast interview. Noor Amelia, who has experience in both politics and the corporate sector, proposed increasing the involvement of technocrats in government, including at Cabinet level.

She highlighted Amir Hamzah Azizan's appointment as finance minister II in the Madani government as a prime example of successful technocratic participation in politics. Amir had previously served as EPF CEO for 27 years in the corporate world. Noor emphasized that combining the distinct skill sets of politicians and technocrats could lead to better outcomes for the public.

Politicians possess an intimate understanding of the people and public sentiment, while technocrats bring a professional, structured, and data-driven approach. Shamellya elaborated that while politicians set the political direction, technocrats ensure the technical viability of policies. However, she stressed that technocrats entering government must grasp the political nuances, such as communication, party structures, grassroots expectations, and political realities.

Noor and Shamellya agreed that the real question is not whether technocrats should occupy Cabinet positions, but whether their expertise can be effectively complemented by political judgment, accountability, and a deep understanding of the constituents they serve.