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

Political leaders Noor Amelia Zainabila Zaiffri of PKR Youth and Shamellya Norazizi of Puteri Umno have highlighted the need for a balance between technocratic expertise and political judgment. Speaking on the Kena Soal podcast, Noor Amelia, who brings both political and corporate experience to the table, advocated for more technocrats in government roles, including the Cabinet.

She cited Amir Hamzah Azizan's appointment as finance minister II under the Madani government as an example of this integration, pointing out that Amir's 27 years of corporate experience preceded his Cabinet role. The duo stressed that while politicians understand grassroots sentiment and public mood, technocrats offer structured, data-driven approaches to policy-making.

Shamellya added that politicians set the political direction, whereas technocrats can ensure policies' practicality. However, she cautioned that technocrats entering the political sphere must also grasp the "art" of politics, such as communication, party structures, and grassroots expectations. Both leaders agreed that the question isn't whether technocrats should be in the Cabinet but whether their expertise can be harmoniously blended with political judgment, public accountability, and a deep understanding of the people they serve.