SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 — Parti Amanah Negara today rejected a motion to raise the age limit for its women’s youth wing, Warda, from 35 to 40.
The motion was voted down by over 400 delegates, with only 98 in support.
During the debate, a delegate who backed the proposal said Amanah’s women’s youth wing should be aligned with those of other parties.
He cited Umno‘s Puteri wing, which has an age limit of 40 and a well-established structure, suggesting Amanah adopt a similar model.
Another delegate opposed the motion, arguing that keeping the limit at 35 would give younger women more opportunities to lead, noting that the voting age has now been lowered to 18.
The age-limit proposal was one of four motions debated at Amanah’s 2025 National Convention here today.
According to the motions booklet, Amanah’s main youth wing already has an age limit of 40, and proponents argued that Warda should mirror that structure.
The motion also noted that many women only become politically active after 30 due to education, career, and family responsibilities. It said the current age cap of 35 restricts leadership opportunities within Warda.
Supporters further argued that women aged between 30 and 40 are often at their peak in terms of maturity and stability, and extending the limit would help ensure continuity in women’s leadership within the party.
Warda was established in 2019.
Currently, the national definition of youth in Malaysia extends up to age 40.
However, last month Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in his Budget 2026 speech that Malaysians will only be considered youths up to age 30 from next year.
In July, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh reaffirmed that the federal government will lower the youth age ceiling to 30 starting January 1, 2026.
