Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should improve their governance to win the support of young population, which are more discerning, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Thursday.

    Youth and a growing middle class in the ASEAN have higher expectations of the governments’ leadership, Najib said in his luncheon keynote address at the third ASEAN Leadership Forum.

    About 50 percent of the ASEAN population are aged between 15 and 44 while another 30 percent are aged under 15 years, said Najib at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel here.

    "This demographic impact on local politics cannot be ignored. Already in Malaysia, some half a million young Malaysians become eligible to vote every year," Najib said.

    He urged state leaders of the ASEAN to maintain a delicate balance between responsible and responsive leadership to ensure the stability and progress in this region.

    "Good governance can no longer be an empty promise. It will determine the fate of governments across the ASEAN. We need to usethe popular support we have received from those who have elected us with great wisdom and foresight," said the deputy prime minister.

    Visiting Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla and ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong also attended the luncheon.

    About 80 delegates, including officials, researchers and businessmen from member countries of the ASEAN, participated in the opening ceremony of the forum earlier Thursday morning.

    With theme of "Moving From Dialogue to Action", the two-day seminar is jointly organized by the ASEAN Secretariat and Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

    Source: Xinhuanet