‘PM has resolved grassroots issues’

Q: It is rumoured that the 14th General Election (GE14) will be held next year. What are the pressing issues that Perlis Umno Youth will raise at this general assembly?

A: Most of the issues have been resolved despite continuous propaganda by the opposition. The party’s general assembly is a good platform to realign certain issues that have been diverted out of context.

In general, the pressing issues are likely caused by misperception of trivial issues, neglecting the bigger agenda that the government has done very well. Undoubtedly, we need to improve on perception management and we need to do it fast.

Q: Should this be the last assembly before Umno and Barisan Nasional head for GE14, what issues you hope that the leadership will resolve?

A: The party leadership has been addressing issues throughout the year, where most were merely raised by the opposition to flip the people’s mind. In my opinion, they should continue to respond to issues in other platforms.

For this assembly, I wish that the leaders and all the speakers can share more success stories that render feel-good factors among the public. It is time to summarise and echo the positive impact of what the government has done to fulfil promises made in GE13.

Nonetheless, the grassroots party members are keen to hear the subsequent positive gestures about Umno-Pas alliance.

We came close to the end of this year with two marks of disunity among the Malay parties. Malays expect some unity next year and/or before GE14.

Q: What are the key resolutions from the previous assemblies that are related to Perlis, and how many of them have been implemented/resolved?

A: In previous general assemblies, we raised our concern on issues that were close to the heart of rural communities.

We have talked about affordable housing; incentives for farmers, small planters and agropreneurs; delivery system loopholes on student vouchers; and increase in the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) allowance.

On this, we realised that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has put in considerable effort to listen to our grassroots’ voices during the assembly.

While some resolutions are still in the pipeline, there was immediate relief for farmers, students and BR1M beneficiaries when Budget 2017 was announced.

If you ask me how many issues have been resolved, I would say he scored “A” with a rating above 90 per cent. Q: How do you view the leadership symbiosis between

Perlis Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man in strengthening the state BN? A: The strategy is clear. Shahidan looks after the state’s political affairs, while Azlan focuses on administration as well as development. They are doing their jobs well and Perlis BN is getting stronger and ready for the upcoming election.

Q: Umno is facing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), which is led by a former Umno president, deputy president and other rank-and-file members for the first time in the next GE. How do you see the threat from the new party in general, as well as to the youth wing’s campaign?

A: I have been briefed and reminded about the threat from PPBM. They chose to go against Umno because of a single case, which is 1Malaysia Development Bhd. The rest is rhetoric.

We have succeeded in facing PKR before, which opposed BN in fighting for freeing an individual from his criminal case.

How can a party sustain by just relying on a single issue?

They said the voters are becoming smarter, yet they move around a single issue to get voted.

On the other hand, I foresee that challenges from PPBM are not as tough as PKR because they are backed only by the older generation of heavyweights.

I remember when those heavyweights were in Umno, the opposition asked them to rest at home and enjoy life with their grandchildren.

These heavyweights may seem popular as they play around with bad perception towards Umno on a national level.

But when it comes to parliamentary constituencies, the game is different.

As an established political party, we have local heavyweights in every constituency.

PPBM is, in fact, a blessing in disguise for Umno.

For many years, the youth wing has brought up concerns about rejuvenating the party, and now, we see some senior leaders leaving their positions, thus opening opportunity for new faces and ideas.