KUALA LUMPUR – Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today slammed Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan AHmad Kamal for equating the Malays to a tribal society in need of a protector, saying it is an outdated view no longer relevant to today’s politics.
Syed Saddiq said the “protector” approach is a common tactic among the country’s older politicians to pitch for support from the majority of Bumiputeras – the “sons of the soil” who account for over 60% of Malaysia’s 32 million population.
“They know that instilling fear, anxiety, and insecurity among the Malays will split the votes and support of Malaysians for parties that carry the voices of all Malaysians, like Muda,” he said in a Facebook post.
“The question is: all this while, were the Malays protected by these outdated parties?”
In an interview with The Vibes, Wan Fayhsal said the opposition Pakatan Harapan’s push towards liberalism will not win any support from the Malays, who need a “protector” aligned with their identity politics.
Syed Saddiq, who had previously led Bersatu’s youth wing before leaving to start his own outfit, said his successor’s claim rings hollow as many Malays continue to be ignored by their so-called protectors.
He said the Malay political elite had nothing to show when some 600,000 middle class households fell into the lowest income earning bracket due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When the rakyat saw the lifestyle of the Malay political leaders, who don luxury watches, or have houses as big as palaces, were the Malays able to enjoy such lives?” Syed Saddiq asked.
“That is why I always say: stop playing race politics and belittling the Malays as though they don’t know that the party that screams ‘Malays, Malays, Malays’ only benefits the elitists, families of the politicians, and their cronies.”
Syed Saddiq acknowledged that Malay nationalistic rhetoric will continue to have cachet in the coming national polls, but stressed that his party Muda will stand by its principle of being a voice for all Malaysians.
“At the national level, I believe we must help the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sabahans, and Sarawakians from Perlis to Johor, Kelantan to Pahang,” he said.
“I stick by my stand, which is also shared by Muda, that we will help the Malays, Chinese, and Indians. As long as there are people in dire straits, hunger, or pain, we will serve them.” - The Vibes, April 6, 2022
