SURVEY SHOCKER: MAHATHIR, HIS MINISTERS ARE SCARED OF HIM; ANWAR BETTER TO STAY RETIRED; AZIZAH A PUPPET; GUAN ENG TOO AGGRESSIVE; SYED SADDIQ TOO FULL OF NONSENSE – BUT AHMAD MASLAN IS ‘INTELLIGENT’; WHILE KHAIRY, IF HE HAD BEATEN ZAHID – ‘WE WOULD ALL HAVE JOINED UMNO’

Despite this being a mad, mad world of politics, nobody can say ‘nothing shocks me anymore’. 

IN this week of terkejut (shocked) reactions, will it shock you that in post-Barisan Nasional Malaysia, some youth find Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan smart?

Before GE14, many perceived the Pontian MP and former Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister as a joker. But now some youth see the Umno supreme council member as a politician who asks the right question.

“Ahmad Maslan is no longer confused (bingung). His arguments questioning the abolishment of GST (Goods and Services Tax) make sense,” said food seller Wan Muhamad, 24, from Kuala Terengganu.

“Ahmad Maslan is lately seen as a good and smart MP but not Umno. We should give people a chance if they are ready for change,” said Jason, a 35-year-old engineer from Penang.

Interestingly, on Aug 16, Hannah Yeoh tweeted: “if you ask me, this opposition MP @ahmadmaslan is diligent in Parliament, performs his role to check on government & a lot more intelligent than his public image. #My100daysDiscovery.”

Wan Muhamad and Jason, whose names have been changed to keep their identity confidential, were part of a study by Iman Research on youth’s perception of the 100 days of the Pakatan Harapan Government. Iman is a Malaysian think-tank which studies society, religion and perception.

In GE14, according to the think-tank, youth – who comprise 40.9% of the registered voters aged between 21 and 39 – played a pivotal role in the shift of political power.

To get an insight of the youth’s perception on New Malaysia, Iman used focus groups discussions (FGDs) of five to seven participants aged 18 to 35 in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu and Sandakan.

The youth interviewed were happy with the change of government. The 100 days promise from Pakatan meant very little to the majority of the participants. The promises were not the reason they voted for change. They voted Pakatan to bring down Barisan.

However, there was scepticism towards Pakatan due to the remnants of previous Barisan personalities/culture in the new Government.

“The current politicians are actually the same people, sisa-sisa dari dulu (remnants from the past). So, we just (need to) wait for sisa-sisa tu hilang (the remnants to disappear). But I’m optimistic for the younger ones,” said Kavi, a 25-year-old job seeker from Kota Kinabalu.

The participants felt identity politics existed in various forms – racial and religious – throughout the country. They unanimously agreed that parties in Pakatan resembled those in the Barisan coalition, where Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia bore the most resemblance to Umno and DAP with MCA/Gerakan.

“For me, New Malaysia is just a brand. The latest batch of players are from the same mould, only to wrestle for position and influence,” said Sofian, a 21-year-old job seeker from Sandakan.

On Mahathirism, there were concerns and dissatisfaction among the youth against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad despite forgiving him for his past. They were also worried that the Pakatan leaders were not strong enough to keep him in check.

“The most troubling issue with PH was when Mahathir speaks out, none of the PH politicians would voice out objections, for example about the third national car,” said PhD graduate Lao Meng, 34, from Petaling Jaya.

The participants were also asked about notable political figures.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?

A majority of participants voiced an uneasiness with the Prime Minister-designate’s sudden rise to prominence in post-GE14.

“Just let him be the Reformasi icon, better for him to retire, play with his grandkids, give space to new faces. I believe he’s a hasbeen,” said Amir, a 33-year-old bike messenger in Kuala Lumpur.

However, participants from Terengganu think Anwar, 71, could reconcile with PAS to safeguard Islam.

“If Anwar collaborates with PAS, maybe he has the chance to become Prime Minister. Anwar is very charismatic,” said Khalis, a 19-year-old Universiti Putra Malaysia student from Kuala Terengganu.

Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail?

She was a puppet and a seat warmer, they said. She was a poor choice of a minister as she is not a feminist. And she played upon religion and role as wife to Anwar too much.

“She is seen as a puppet, many of her decisions are programmed/influenced by Anwar Ibrahim,” said journalist Lukman, 26, from Terengganu.

They will give her greater support if she gets rid of Anwar’s patronage.

“Is Wan Azizah going to run the country? I don’t mind. I think she will be a great PM. But I want to know what is her plan. I don’t like the uncertainty. I think PKR needs to get its house in order; who do you want to lead your party? Every time she stands down, it’s another by-election, and that costs money! So, I’m not happy with the uncertainty,” said Angie, a 28-year-old online entrepreneur from George Town.

“Wan Azizah is good. But she is the voice of her husband,” said Ashman, a 30-year-old government servant in George Town.

Lim Guan Eng?

There’s a mixed reaction. Some said the DAP Secretary-General was too aggressive and undemocratic while others felt such traits were necessary for a good leader.

Maszlee Malik?

Some see the Education Minister as someone who plays tarik tali (tug of war) because he is indecisive, inexperienced and lacks conviction. They criticised him on issues relating to black school shoes and UEC (Unified Exami­nation Certificate) acceptance.

Syed Saddiq?

They questioned the Youth and Sports Minister’s position and age.

“I like the young faces, but there are people who are too young. Syed Saddiq! I can’t believe that they made him a full minister! People were saying it, and I was thinking they were only going to make him a Deputy Minister. But the guy is what, 25 years old? Can you imagine all the nonsense you get at 25 years old?” said Ellen, a 33-year-old who works in a bank in George Town.

The participants considered the Opposition to be weak and struggling to be relevant. However, they found some Opposition politicians to have shown admirable leadership qualities.

For example, Umno’s Rembau MP, Khairy Jamaluddin, who is a former Youth and Sports Minister.

“Many of our friends in USM said, ‘if KJ won the Umno presidential race, we would all join Umno’. Because we need young leaders, we don’t look at the party. We look at who are the young leaders now,” said Ammar, a 25-year-old Universiti Sains Malaysia student from George Town.

Some also said Ahmad Maslan, the Pontian MP, was confident, active and asked the right questions.

All the participants wanted the Opposition to be a proactive force that was worthy of keeping the ruling coalition in check.

“Soon after BN lost the power and PH emerged victoriously, we have a problem because our Opposition is weak. It is not a good thing to have a weak Opposition because their role is to check and balance the government,” said Sharifah, a 24-year-old Universiti Malaya student activist from Petaling Jaya.

Iman noticed a trend among participants of having political allegiances that did not follow along party lines. They were open to considering new leaders on both sides of the political divide.

“If there were ever the time to consider a third force, one that would cater to youth, this would be it,” the think-tank said.

“We need young leaders; we don’t look at political parties. We look at who are the young leaders now,” said Ashman, a 30-year-old government servant from George Town.

In this terkejut week, I won’t be shocked if Khairy emerged as a third force. But, I’ll be terkejut if Ahmad Maslan – smarter or not – became one.

– ANN

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