The Malaysian Insight

POLITICAL support is not determined on social media but measured by the backing from the grassroots, said Bersatu youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

The deputy youth and sports minister said social media alone is not a yardstick on how much support a party or a leader has and cannot necessarily translate into votes.

“Social media politics and grassroots politics are not the same. Even though we are popular on social media and have a lot of followers, that does not translate into votes,” Wan Fayhsal told The Malaysian Insight.

“What is important is the ability of the political party or leader to be kind to the people.”

The 33-year old was commenting on former Bersatu youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who left the party and went on to form Muda, an urban-centric youth-based party which is active on social media.

Muda claims it has more than 30,000 “fans” of the yet to be registered party.

Wan Fayhsal said he had no doubts in Syed Saddiq leading a youth-based party as his former employer was passionate about youth issues.

He, however, believes Bersatu youth under him will play an important role as the country’s politics is still race-based.

“I have immense respect for Muda, which was formed by my friend. He is someone who is passionate about youth issues.

“But the reality in this country is that Malaysian politics which is race-based, it will be an advantage for Bersatu to garner the support of the grassroots in rural areas,” Wan Fayhsal said.

The senator, who previously caused controversy when he pledged to write support letters for Bersatu youth, said he stood by what he said and it should be viewed from a wider perspective.

Wan Fayhsal said he wanted to write the letters to help youth in rural areas left behind in government programmes and aid.

“We help as politicians. This is not the wrong thing to do, a letter of support is not a guarantee to get any project. I am in this position just to facilitate a way for the youth, especially those from marginalised communities in rural areas.

“So, they are given the same opportunity and treatment as well as assistance from the government. This is the real context when I spoke to Bersatu youth,” he said.

Wan Fayhsal denies that support letters are part of patronage politics, which his wing is vehemently opposing. Instead, he said, some parts of patronage politics are palatable to society.

“The patronage politics we are against is destructive but not all patronage politics are bad. As long as it does not violate the law and inculcate an extremely feudal culture, I think it is reasonable,” he said.

Wan Fayhsal was heavily criticised after a video recording of him promising to use his position as deputy minister to issue support letters to Bersatu youth went viral.

The video was recorded when he campaigned in Pahang ahead of the party elections in August.

Wan Fayhsal later won the post of youth chief, beating rival Mohd Muzzamil Ismail. – November 11, 2020.