KUALA LUMPUR: The recent wave of rejection by youths against the Pakatan Harapan pro-tem pact’s elderly prime minister candidates has sent its leaders scuttling to appease the voter segment.
Political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the situation has even led to the Pakatan Harapan pact contradicting itself with DAP leaders standing by the agreement to appoint an interim prime minister, prior to restoring Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s eligibility to run for elections.
“It means that they are still going to appoint elder politicians as their prime minister designates, a move which goes against the aspirations of youths concerning the pact’s plans to take over the current administration,” Sivamurugan said.
Sivamurugan was commenting on a youth forum organised by the pact leaders on Monday night, during which they downplayed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s potential to return as prime minister and Anwar’s nomination for the post.
“What the leaders were attempting to do that night was to address the youths’ concerns over Dr Mahathir returning to power, and generally the rejection of having elders holding the top position,” Sivamurugan said.
He noted that the apparent worry among the pact leaders was of waning support from youths due to the possibilities of Dr Mahathir and Anwar holding the top office in Putrajaya.
“The youths do not want elderly politicians steering the country. They prefer those from a younger age bracket. The pact is trying to allay their fears, over concerns of voter absenteeism among the segment during polling day.”
Furore over the pact’s prime minister candidates, which has become a concern among youths, came on the heels of DAP’s reportedly unofficial proposal to have Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, as prime minister-designate in place of Anwar who is currently jailed for sodomy.
On Sunday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng reportedly told a press conference that his party would announce its pick next month.
He also denied claims of DAP eyeing the post.
“Our choice is Anwar, but as he is in jail we will have to pick someone else. It will be announced next month,” Lim was quoted as saying.