THERE are emerging signs in Malaysia that could be a catalyse on how the political orientation of the country would be in coming months or even years if one deciphers the nation’s grievances in the current context of health crisis and economic decline due to Covid-19.

Lately, there have been youth protest in Parit Raja near Batu Pahat, Johor, due to the government’s poor response to Covid-19 that has created a regressive social economic impact. A significant majority of youths are already suffering from high unemployment and low income made worst with inconsistencies and poor management of the pandemic.

The youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 had increased by 0.4% to 13.9% in February 2021 coming up to 347,600 people. The unemployment rate of youths age 15 to 30 remained at 9.2%. These is in a sharp contrast to the overall unemployment rate of 4.8%.

The government’s handling of Covid-19, has been dented by double standards, U-turns and lack of foresight of how to get the nation out of the present mess. The Cabinet’s economic incompetency is glaring since foreign investor confidence is low, compared to such confidence in countries like Singapore and Vietnam. 
 
The current Perikatan Nasional (PN) government that was formed on the basis of Malay-Muslim unity seems to lack a broad-based understanding of the complexity of issues that is facing the nation. Its ideological limitation seems to emerge, made worst by absents of parliamentary scrutiny of its performance.

The deceptive picture it portrays as the defender of Malay-Muslim rights is defeated when there is such a high percentage of Malay youths that are unemployed, and the poor who are deprived of many basic necessities. One has to pay a visit to flats in urban areas around the country where the poor Malays and other communities are deprived of basic aid such food and pampers for the sick due to bureaucratic requirement within government agencies that causes unnecessary delay.

It is in these contradictory circumstances that do not correspond to the frequent ethnic rhetoric by so-called defenders of race and religion, that one could understand the frustration of youths towards the PN government.

The nation requires diverse, innovative and competent minds in governance irrespective of race and religion to address the twin issues of health and economic crisis instead current mono-ethnic dominated government.

The youth protest shows that over a period of time, the dynamics of unemployment and poverty issues could reduce the influence of ethnic-centric parties like Umno, Bersatu and PAS whose superficial and limited ideology has affected the life hood of youth and the nation as a whole. These parties cannot go on deceiving the people with identity-centred ethno-religious ideology that does not serve the complex needs of a society where spiritual enlightenment, progressive outlook, social security and economic empowerment is key to social-economic progress.   

What is obvious is in spite of various types of aid provided by the government, creating high-value and quality jobs is far more significant.

In these contexts, Malaysian youths irrespective, ethnicity or religion could be torch of the future in reshaping politics of this country by embracing multi-ethnic diversity and work on its strength to address complex issues faced by the nation by rejecting narrow ethno-religious political parties that does not serve the common good.

The Association for Community and Dialogue are in solidarity with the suffering youths as revealed in Parit Raja and same time support the endeavour of youths to bring the spirit of youthfulness, vibrancy and integrity to the corrupt and diminishing ethnic centric political system in the country that has failed to address substantive issues such as unemployment, poverty and environmental decline.

Youth protest is a significant sign of changing political dynamics in the country. – May 16, 2021.

* Ronald Benjamin is the secretary for the Association for Community and Dialogue.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.