Yii said it was saddening to see young leaders “purposely provoking and inciting hatred” instead of using their abilities and platforms for the betterment of all.
He said patriotism should not be questioned if people are contributing to the country’s economy and society or simply providing for their families.
“Our flag and national emblems are important and should be respected, but should not be used as a tool of divisive politics to divide and sow hatred among one another,” he said in a series of X postings.
Yii, who led DAP’s youth wing from 2022 to 2024, said he avoided the stereotype of youth leaders as “troublemakers” or “rabble rousers”, and sought to show mature, substantive leadership throughout his tenure.
“I wanted to show that youth leaders deserve a seat at the table, not because we are loud, but because what we say carries weight and matters,” he said.
He said he was ashamed that some were exemplifying the opposite of what youth leadership should be.
“No wonder many do not trust us or give us a chance to lead, especially if we keep giving into that stereotype.
“And no wonder more and more young people are fed up with politics if this is the example that we are showing,” he said.
Yii’s remarks come amid a spat between youth leaders from DAP and Umno over recent flag-related incidents.
The controversy began with a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, who was caught on video hanging the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh condemned the incident and threatened to give the shop owner a “class” on hanging the national flag.
Although DAP later sponsored a giant Jalur Gemilang for the shop, Akmal said he and other leaders would turn up outside the premises to check if it was displayed correctly. Bersatu Youth also said it would join the Umno wing.
Tensions rose after more than 200 people, led by Akmal, gathered near the shop despite police advising against it.
Penang DAP Youth then urged the party’s national leadership to cut political ties with Akmal.
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook also directed DAP Youth to lodge police reports nationwide against Akmal.