As the 14th general election approaches, The Malaysian Insight looks at new and young politicians who are being groomed by their parties to stand as candidates. One of the biggest grouses among the electorate is the lack of young leaders as the heads of political parties, even in the opposition, are those who have been in politics since the 1980s. Where are the young to take Malaysia forward?

IF things had worked out the way he wanted it, Tariq Ismail Mustafa would be an Umno member and with his pedigree, in the thick of things for the lynchpin Barisan Nasional party.

Instead, the 39-year-old grandson of former deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman’s application was rejected by Johor Umno branches when he tried to sign up between 2008 and 2009.

“It was a blessing in disguise because (Umno president) Najib (Razak) was coming into power,” the Bersatu supreme council member told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the direction the party took after that put him off and when things came to a head, he joined the splinter Bersatu, which provided a fresh slate for the idealistic Johorean.

Tariq is likely to be fielded as a candidate in the Sri Gading parliamentary seat, an Umno stronghold in Johor that no opposition party has been able to win.

He was appointed as the division leader in October.

The odds are stacked against him but the greenhorn is hopeful, not just for himself but Pakatan Harapan as a whole.

“We may not have the resources BN has but we’re making inroads. If BN is so confident of winning, they would not need to conjure up these old issues – the RCI (on Bank Negara forex trading losses in the 1990s), or the Memali incident. 

“They would fight us on policies,” said the economics and finance graduate from Southbank University, UK.

Tariq and Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman represent a group of young, idealistic Malays who are trying to bring fresh ideas into a new political party led by former Umno leaders.

Why Bersatu?

Still spotting a British accent after his return from the UK two decades ago, the candid businessman said he considered joining DAP before deciding on Bersatu last year.

“I like the concept of Malaysians for Malaysia, but DAP is too urban-centric. The only way for the opposition to win is to go into the rural areas,” he said.

Tariq said Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin convinced him that the Malay party could bring about positive changes to the country as a partner in PH.

“Malays in rural areas are still communal. All they have known is Umno. I saw it for myself when I went to the ground.”

Muhyiddin told Tariq he wants to push for structural political changes, such as a limit of two terms for the prime minister.

While Tariq may not agree with a lot of the policies Dr Mahathir Mohamad implemented during his 22 years as prime minister, he said he had grown to respect the Bersatu chairman for his iron will: “He is focused on bringing the opposition coalition together”.

Tariq acknowledged that as a party, Bersatu still carries baggage from Umno and appealed to voters to give them time to change.

“Change doesn’t come in a day… The spoil-your-vote movement, I don’t agree with them but I understand they are disillusioned with politics. To them, they are seeing the same old names – (Dr) Mahathir and Muhyiddin, formerly from Umno.

“But look, your vote counts. You tell us how we can do better and we’ll try to meet it. You say less politicking, I agree. More on solutions? I agree with that,” said Tariq.

He conceded that PH is still too reliant on old faces and needs to give more opportunities to the young.

Gentlemen’s politics

Growing up among Umno members, Tariq is at once sentimental about the party and disappointed with its current state of affairs.

“I think we should go back to the time when politicians were gentlemen. My grandfather came from an Umno which wanted to build the nation then. 

“I respect Umno for what it was, what they did at one time. Right now, they are more like a GLC (government-linked company),” he said, adding that he is totally turned off by the culture that Umno is associated with these days.

“When Umno can’t solve the people’s problems, they throw money, or use race and religion to win support.”

Issues raised by young politicians like Zairil Khir Johari, Nurrul Izzah Anwar and Rafizi Ramli resonated more with him than statements made by Umno ministers, some of whom are his relatives, Tariq said.

Apart from restoring the independence of public institutions, improving the economy and Malaysia’s reputation, he hopes to push PH to introduce anti-discrimination laws to ensure Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, will be protected from discrimination.

“We need to ensure that all Malaysians benefit and grow together.” – February 13, 2018.