KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Bernama) -- The DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has stated it will not propose any quota or percentage of candidates for the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, emphasizing instead that the party should prioritize candidates who understand youth aspirations and can champion issues affecting younger voters. DAPSY National Executive Committee chairman Woo Kah Leong, who is also the Pasir Bedamar assemblyman, said the focus should be on candidates with the mentality to address critical issues such as youth unemployment and the abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971. Quote: The candidate needs to have the mentality to address the issue of youth unemployment, to have the mentality to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971, and so on. That is more important to me, he said after meeting media representatives at a DAPSY dinner here today. When asked about the potential impact of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition issue on voter sentiment, Woo said it should be viewed from the perspective of national education interests rather than as a political tool ahead of the state elections. He noted that the commitment to recognize the certificate was included in the Buku Jingga manifesto when DAP was with PAS under Pakatan Rakyat, and even former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak under Barisan Nasional had made similar promises. The Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are expected to be closely contested following the dissolution of the state assemblies. Political analysts suggest the outcome could have significant implications for the federal Unity Government. The elections will see over 1 million eligible voters in Johor and nearly 500,000 in Negeri Sembilan heading to the polls to determine the next state governments. Major political coalitions are preparing their campaigns intensively. -- BERNAMA