The Malaysian Insight

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?

The Malaysian Insight kicks off this series with DAP’s Young Syefura Othman who talks about being ready to become an elected official.

ONE of DAP’s most recognisable Malay faces, Young Syefura Othman may have only been in politics for three years but is ready if the party fields her as a candidate in the 14th general election. 

Joining the largely Chinese-based opposition party made her the target of racial slurs, more so because the young woman wears the tudung or headscarf.

The 26-year-old was labelled as “anti-Malay” and “anti-Islam” after joining DAP but Young Syefura remains focused on what she feels is her calling to help people.

“I just ignore those who accuse me of being anti-Malay or anti-Islam. It doesn’t affect my decision to join politics because I know how DAP does its work. 

“So, I just ignore what they say and prove them wrong through my attitude and my work. They’re illogical. I don’t listen to negative things unless it is constructive criticism that could help me improve myself,” she told The Malaysian Insight. 

Also known as Rara, she said she loved doing community work and has been involved in activism since her university days, when she studied nursing.

“We must work hard to show that we walk the talk, and the things that we do are not to serve the party, but the public who will see if we are qualified or not to represent them.

“And I like to do community work and I love meeting people on the ground, so I would prefer a state seat rather than parliamentary seat,” said Rara, who also serves as a Kajang municipal councillor.

DAP is expected to field young and new Malay candidates in GE14 which is due by August next year and Rara is among those groomed in the past few years.

She was appointed as the DAP coordinator for the Dusun Tua state constituency in Hulu Langat, Selangor, on December 3, 2015. As a coordinator, she is also DAP’s official representative in the area.

DAP traditionally fields its coordinators as candidates for the seats in general elections if they serve their constituencies well. 

The Dusun Tua incumbent assemblyman is Razaly Hassan of PAS, who won the seat in 2013. The state constituency consists of 53% Malay voters, 38% Chinese and 7% Indians.

Rara, however, is realistic and is also prepared if the party decides not to field her.

“I’m ready if they nominate me as one of the candidates, but I’m also okay if I’m not chosen. After I joined the party, I have prepared myself to do anything. 

“Like previously when I was posted in Kelantan to help build houses in the state, I have proven my ability. So, I’m ready if I’m given the chance and if the party thinks that I’m qualified. 

“But if the party thinks that it’s still not my time, I will accept it.”

Despite not having any experience as an elected representative, Rara believes she can be a voice for young people because she understands their challenges and faces the same issues they do, like rising cost of living and soaring house prices. 

“I’m still renting. As a representative of young people and of women, I can be the voice of change for them. Issues like cost of living, low wages and unemployment are all related, they affect us greatly,” she said.

“We want to help the people, to make them realise what are their rights as citizens. It is never easy for new candidates to convince the people, that’s why we have to start our work early and work hard to prove our abilities.”

She has become a regular speaker at Pakatan Harapan ceramah, urging voters to embrace change. 

“People need to leave their cocoons, they can’t be afraid to change the government,” she said, adding that the opposition has proven its ability to rule and govern in Selangor and Penang which it wrested from Barisan Nasional in 2008.

“Now we are working hard to change the Malays’ perception about DAP, especially those who have been indoctrinated. 

“Like former Umno members who are now with Bersatu, previously, they were afraid of Lim Kit Siang, but when we had a joint programme, they were surprised that he was a nice person, friendly and respectful of the Malays,” she said, referring to the party formed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad which is now part of PH.

She said the Malays’ fear of DAP cuts across all segments of the community, whether they be from rural or urban areas, because of the long-standing political rhetoric by Umno against DAP.

“Although some of them are professionals and may not be Umno members or supporters, the thinking is still the same. 

“That’s why I feel (DAP) party leaders should come to the ground and meet the Malays who are used to scare stories played up by Umno leaders.” – December 16, 2017.