KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 — Barisan Nasional (BN) conducted a panel today in an attempt to show that the coalition has a new generation of leaders committed to good governance and ending corruption.

Moderated by Khairy Jamaluddin who has styled himself as a reformist for his bid to capture Sungai Buloh, the panel included Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan who is contesting in Alor Gajah, MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon (Raub), Datuk Mohana Muniandy (Kuala Langat) and Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin (Merbok).

“We need politicians who want to work, who show high determination to serve the people, now the people are littering, they are disgusted with the red tape, the behaviour of politicians.

“So, we (the new generation) have to prove them wrong, the new generation of BN should work and show courage... dare to speak the right and true things, that’s a clear message,” Shaiful said during the session broadcast on Facebook.

Chong said the Chinese community have a negative perception of the government, and pledged to help the Chinese in the community through negotiations with the state government.

“I think the Chinese (community) do not look to the government (for help), but that does not mean they don’t need the government,” the Raub candidate said, adding that he plans to change things within the next five years should he win.

Mohana, who is also MIC’s women chief, said she will champion female empowerment beyond the commitment to have 30 per cent women representation in Parliament.

“I think it should be based on ability and capacity. Women should not just be looked at from a gender perspective, in fact, I think this government should be able to give women politicians more challenging roles.

“We cannot just put women as the women’s minister, but instead go back to the times when (Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz) was trade minister.

“We need to put women on a level playing field where they are economists, can motivate businesses, and talk about policy level changes,” she said.

Others present at the panel were Datuk Shahelmey Yahya in Putatan, Datuk Nicole Wong in Tebrau, Datuk C Sivarraajh in Padang Serai, and Datuk Rozabil Abd Rahman, known as Tok Ben, in Arau.