Money politics should be a thing of the past as it would dampen the politics of the next generation.
This was the advice by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Dr Annuar Rapaee.
“Money politics is a cancerous element in any political party and it also undermines the process of electing good leaders.”
He also stressed that the selection of next generation leaders must be on merit and their capabilities rather than vote-buying.
“In order for PBB to give more chance to youth, the issue of money politics should be should be eliminated,” he said.
The Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said politics of the future must be knowledge-based.
“We want leaders to be appointed according to their field so they can be the authority in that subject matter – that is what we want in Sarawak.”
The cardiologist-turned-politician was tasked with leading a committee to set up a new wing within the party for members aged 18 to 28.
The new wing – Pergerakan Belia PBB – slots in seamlessly within the party ranks, complementing the other two wings, namely Pergerakan Pemuda (Youth) and Pergerakan Wanita (Women).
The party amended its constitution in the last convention in June to accommodate the new wing in view of Undi18 which came into effect last year.
New Sarawak Tribune sat down with Dr Annuar and obtained his views on the involvement of youths in the current political arena.
Below is the full transcript of the interview:
NST: What is the latest in regards to the setting up of the wing?
Dr Annuar: We have amended our PBB constitution and are awaiting approval from the Registrar of Societies (ROS); we have already made preparations for the formation of the new wing.
For example, we have organised a strategic lab, involving not only members from Pemuda PBB, but also senior members and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which have to do with the youths, so we are actually in gear.
Why is it important for the new wing to be set up?
PBB as a party has been here for 49 years – the party itself is no longer youthful. This new wing is part of the rejuvenation process for PBB to ensure that it remains relevant. We have been around for some time, so that is also of historical importance.
And also, PBB has always been a party that promotes youth, every time the elections are held, we put forward young leaders to contest. For example, in the last state election, we fielded Royston Valentine (Tellian), Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (Lingga) and Azizul Annuar Adenan (Tanjung Datu).
PBB has always been a party that prepares future leaders in Sarawak as a backbone to the ruling government; it needs to prepare the future generations to become leaders.
From your observation, what is the trend of youth involvement in politics?
Looking from a global point of view, in the last five years, there are a lot of countries that have elected their presidents and prime ministers among young politicians.
In Finland, they elected Sanna Marin as prime minister who is currently 36 years old. In New Zealand, the prime minister is 42-year-old Jacinda Ardern while in Canada, their prime minister Justin Trudeau was elected at age 44.
These countries are not using the feudal system, they are democratic countries. Although we can also see other countries such as North Korea having young leaders like Kim Jong Un (38) and Qatar, where the current Emir is Tamim Ahmad Al Thani (42), these two are different things.
Can we say that the people are more willing to elect younger leaders now?
It is interesting to note that people in democratic countries like Finland, New Zealand and Canada voted for young leaders to lead. In other words, even if they are young, people give them the mandate.
This trend is interesting because the people now are not looking at the age factor anymore, they are looking at someone who is knowledgeable. In other words, education is important; knowledge is important whereas previously, people were looking at a character of a leader, but now, knowledge is most important, people think if you are knowledgeable, you can lead despite your young age.
What about neighbouring countries, what is the trend like?
In Singapore, there are young ministers being appointed. In Indonesia, the Minister of Education is Nadiem Anwar Makarim who is 38 years old and he is well educated, being a graduate of Harvard Business School.
The trend is that people are willing to elect politicians who are well educated, knowledgeable despite being young. This trend is of course, not very obvious in our country, as we still think that background is important. The trend is if your predecessor is your relative, parents, you have a better chance (of being elected).
That is still there, but of course, with better education levels, and people being more knowledgeable that trend will shift soon where people will elect people who are well educated and knowledgeable which is happening in Indonesia and Singapore.
Do you think it’s possible that Malaysia will see this trend?
I have no doubt that it will happen in Malaysia, due to that, PBB has to be prepared to give way to younger leaders – we must give them a chance and accommodate these young leaders within the party.
Of course, people will think that they do not have enough experience, but no one can have experience overnight, but if you give them that chance and responsibility, and early exposure, they will gain experience very fast. With the knowledge and education level they have, experience can be acquired quickly.
PBB should follow this trend as our neighbouring countries are towards this as well; we don’t have to go far, Indonesia and other parts of Asia are doing it now.
What will be the impact of youth participation in Sarawak politics?
The consequence of the youth in Sarawak politics firstly was the amendment to our State Constitution in line with Undi18. People of 18 years old can now be a candidate in our elections and Sarawak is the first state to amend its Constitution to be in line with the Federal Constitution.
How should the youths react to this? Does involvement mean candidacy?
The youths in Sarawak should look at it as something positive, they must look at it as an opportunity to be involved in politics. However, involvement in politics does not equate to being a candidate, that is the wrong perception.
A lot of people think if you are involved in politics, you want to be a candidate, candidacy comes later – when you can prove that you can lead.
And of course, Sarawak youths are better educated and I am sure that the norm of electing someone knowledgeable and well-educated is the current trend, and PBB is moving towards that.
How should the next generation leaders be chosen?
We want to elect leaders who are well-versed in their field so they can be in charge of that particular field. We don’t want someone to be given the responsibility and yet they do not know their subjects.
I have looked at Singapore, the appointment of leaders and ministers are based on economic backgrounds, and because of that, they are the authority in that field, so they know the subject well; when they speak, they speak something that makes sense and able to come up with good suggestions and comments – this is what we want in Sarawak.
Can we somehow emulate this and how does it fit into PBB’s struggles?
We are confident that we are moving towards that because our young people who are enthusiastic and those who wish to join PBB are those who have this criteria and background and I hope that PBB, especially our leadership, should not look at this as something unhealthy but look at it as the continuity of our struggle.
Some have said that the world is a circle – organisations and nations tend to put itself into a spiral of self-destruction in the coming 50 to 100 years. We must do something to not be trapped in that circle, it is the same thing for political parties.
Political parties that are unprepared to predict or anticipate any changes in the future will be irrelevant.
Your views on drafting more youth centric policies to cater for the group?
Once the youths are aware of their responsibilities to the country, the government will respond by introducing policies that can accommodate their needs and compliment their level of education and the current global youth expectations.
The expectations have changed and the education level has changed; and the role they should play also has changed. We need a policy that can accommodate or be in line with their aspirations.
How do we ensure good leaders in the future?
Money politics is a cancerous element in any political party and this also undermines the process of electing good leaders, in other words, in order for PBB to give more chance to youths, the issue of money politics should be stopped and totally eliminated.
At the very least, it should strongly be monitored and we should take harsh action on those who condone money politics as this would hamper the progress of the youths. If the youths are involved at an early stage in money politics there is no point of them grooming them to be leaders, as they will only look at money.
I really emphasise this to our youths – they should not be involved, what they should do is to show their capabilities and be selected based on merit, that should be the way. We have to look at the people’s capability and ability to lead, not resort to vote buying.
How best can we instil the spirit of democracy among youths, particularly in PBB?
They should learn the importance of democracy within the party, what democracy means is not only freedom to contest – democracy does not only equate to contesting for posts, but also having an organisation that is open; a party that is able to accept criticism, other people’s views, agree to disagree – this is all democracy.
Democracy is not only about elections – a US president, Abraham Lincoln, once said, “… a government of the people, by the people, and for the people”.
So, our youths should understand this and more importantly, they should understand our tradition and that is why before they join PBB, it is important for them to learn the history of PBB, why it exists and how it withstood episodes of tremors in politics and continue to win elections.
