Syed Saddiq appears elitist to youth, says think tank

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 30 Aug 2018 12:49PM · 4 Comments

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has young supporters back home in Johor, who say they believe in him. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 30, 2018.

YOUTH and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is perceived as elitist by young Malaysians, said think-tank Iman.

Iman research head Vila Somiah said youth across the states had questioned Syed Saddiq’s high position.

“They tended to question his position because of his youth,” she said, at her office in Wisma Sentral today. 

“They see him as an elitist who doesn’t know how to govern his ministry.”

Iman undertook a study to find out the role youth played in the 14th general election.

The focus group was made up of 40 Malaysians aged 18-35 in the Klang Valley, Johor, Terengganu, Penang and Sabah.

Young people in Syed Saddiq’s hometown of Johor, however, had a lot of confidence in the young leader.

Somiah said while the youth had a high opinion of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, they felt the ministers should speak up if there was an issue.

“Those who voted for Pakatan Harapan are happy to see Dr Mahathir replace former prime minister Najib Razak but their concern is that the members of the cabinet are not strong enough to keep him in check. 

“They said the ministers should consult him if there is an issue.”

As for PKR president and prime minister in waiting, Anwar Ibrahim, the youth were uneasy about his sudden rise to prominence after GE14. 

Somiah said that they wanted him to remain a Reformasi icon. 

“They are not worried about Anwar getting pardoned but that he was jumping very quickly into politics. 

“They said it would be better for him to retire and give new leaders a chance.

“However, one participant said he looks cunning and Malaysia needs (a leader like) that.”

Former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin of Umno, meanwhile, remained highly popular with the youth, who said they would consider voting for him.

“All of the young people spoke well of Khairy and said he showed respectable leadership qualities… he was seen to be doing his job as MP.

“They said if Khairy was Umno president they might vote for him in the next general election.”– August 30, 2018. 

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Comments

  • Why publish something that only takes the opinion of 40 people? This hardly qualifies as a study.

    Posted 7 years ago by J O · Reply

  • 40 people ? I can easily get hundreds to voice their opinions. Please don't treat the readers like idiots.

    Posted 7 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Looks like the think tank is KJ's PR firm.

    Posted 7 years ago by ABDUL HALIM YUSOF · Reply

  • I like how everyone in the comments section assumes they intimately know how research firms and think tanks work especially when the report goes against their biases.

    Posted 7 years ago by Aziff Azuddin · Reply