Letter to Editor
IT is difficult to speak for the entire non-Bumiputera Generation Z in Malaysia as individuals within this group may have varying opinions and perspectives on the political spectrum. Nevertheless, non-Bumis still hold around 30% of the voters in Malaysia.
This is a huge number and their needs must be met. So, what is their view on the Malaysian political spectrum like?
Many non-Bumi Malaysians may believe that the political spectrum is dominated by a small set of powerful and entrenched political parties.
They may be critical of these parties’ lack of transparency and accountability, leading to them believing that the political process does not genuinely represent the will of the people.
They may also be distrustful of conventional political parties’ promises and rhetoric, viewing them as disconnected from the interests and problems of the broader public. Since non-Bumis are the minorities in our country, their trust is built upon actions, more than words.
In terms of policy, they may support more progressive measures like social justice, human rights, and environmental preservation. They may regard these topics as vital, and they may be critical of political parties that do not take them seriously.
They may also be more likely to support political parties and politicians that advocate for more progressive policies on these problems. The reason is that they usually feel like they aren’t treated well, nor are they given many opportunities in the country. They must fight for their education and basic financial aid on a different level than the Bumis.
Furthermore, they may be more prone to engage in political action and grassroots organisations. They may see this as a method to keep political parties and leaders responsible, and they may be more likely to take part in protests, rallies and other types of civic engagement as a result.
This is because it will be the catalyst in pushing the authorities to give them the basic rights that they seek. We should not view this as something negative, but view this as something empowering, especially when the freedom of speech is being utilised in a country like ours.
While the non-Bumi Gen Z in Malaysia may have varied political beliefs and viewpoints, they may be more sceptical of established political parties and more supportive of progressive policies and grassroots activity.
This is why we must try to find a solution in satisfying the needs of the minorities in our country. At the end of the day, they are Malaysians and we must fight for Malaysians. – Feb 3, 2023
Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief (PN) of Federal Territories.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
