JOHOR BARU: Umno Youth welcomes the registration of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) as a new political party in the country, saying this is part of the democracy that the nation upholds.

       Umno Youth exco member Noor Azleen Ambros said any party that seeks to improve and bring the country towards a better future should be welcomed and celebrated, aside from giving the people a chance to choose what is best for them.

       "Umno Youth sees this as something positive and this is a healthy practice in a democratic country.

       "The government has also recently lowered the eligible age for voting and electoral candidacy to 18, so every political party will now have something to focus on, especially on the new voters," he said.

       He said this when met after the “Umno and MCA Pasir Gudang Back To School Programme” at Econsave Permas Jaya here on Saturday (Jan 8).

       Azleen said he is not denying that Muda will be a challenge to Umno Youth but that should not be the reason to “attack” them with the old ways of politics.

       "Yes, they will be a challenge to us, but we should not resort to the old political tactics to stop them. We should let them do what they plan to do because this is part of democracy.

       "At the end of the day, we let the people decide who they want to lead them.

       "To me, youth want a political party that can guarantee they will have a stable future, a secure job, a chance to own a house or vehicle and if Umno can give them that, the people will choose us," he said.