Many young Muslims see no opportunities for themselves and do not feel they have control over their lives or a stake in their nation's future. Such pessimism leads to disengagement. We risk losing a generation of young Muslims to apathy and extremism.

As a leader of a majority-Muslim nation, I believe Islamic countries must better understand what young people aspire to.

This mandate that I seek is about continuity and sustainability against disruption and stagnation, about moving forward versus regressing. We have to safeguard what we have already achieved. We cannot put at risk what we have; we cannot gamble away our future.

Instead of passing on choppy waters to the next generation, we should endeavor to leave them a calmer sea.

I've made Umno more democratic, more inclusive. Of course, by doing that, I'm putting myself at risk.

The world is changing quickly and we must be ready to change with it or risk being left behind.