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. Where are the young to take Malaysia forward? 

JAMAWI Jaafar knows that in Umno, having a kampung image can be important to gain the confidence of the electorate, especially in rural areas.

The Umno Youth information chief said he wants to champion rural community issues and having a “kampung boy” image ensures that he stays down-to-earth.

“When I was running for the Youth vice-chief post (in Umno), most of divisions that voted for me were from rural areas. 

“They said I carried the ‘kampung’ image – approachable, easy-to-answer calls and easy to meet at the warung,” the 39-year-old Sabahan told The Malaysian Insight.

In a party where some leaders, even at the grassroots level, can come across as being snobbish and status conscious, Jamawi, who is also Tenom Umno Youth chief, said he disliked protocol and the appearance of being powerful.

“There are some friends in Umno who like meetings at hotels (but) I don’t mind meeting people at the warung. So, there is no protocol if youth want to have a conversation with me,” he said.

“There’s no need to show off your expensive wristwatch or car. A more important image to show is that we (Umno Youth) are with the people at the surau.”

Jamawi graduated in agricultural science from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), coming from a family of rubber tappers who struggled to make ends meet.

He joined the party’s Youth wing in 1994 with the aim of becoming a politician, inspired by his late father, Jaafar Yusof.

“My late father was a convert of Murut descent. He was illiterate and only knew how to count but he was an eloquent speaker, was able to convince the villagers to make him an Usno division chief,” he said, referring to the now-defunct United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), which was deregistered in the 1990s.

In 1975, however, Usno was the leading party that ruled Sabah and earlier, had played an important role in securing self-governance for North Borneo as Sabah was known then, before it formed Malaysia in 1963.

Usno was defeated by Berjaya, a party founded by Usno dissenters in the 1976 state elections. 

Jamawi said although Usno was voted out by Sabahans, his father stayed on as a party leader until Umno came to the state in 1994.

“When I joined Umno when it first came to Sabah in 1994, my father was an Usno division chief. 

“He and other members joined Umno when Usno was dissolved. But before that, he was with Umno from 1976 until 1985. He was pressured to leave the party but he remained steadfast,” the fourth of five children said. 

Jamawi admires tenacity and for him, Umno president Najib Razak is the model of this trait as he continues to lead amid political attacks.

“We can see that Datuk Seri Najib is being attacked day and night, even his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah, is on the receiving end of criticism. But he is still steadfast and smiling when meeting people.”

Touted as Umno’s candidate for the Tenom parliamentary seat in the 14th general election, Jamawi, who owns three restaurants there, said he is ready but would let the party decide.

The incumbent is Tenom Umno division chief Raime Unggi, who won the seat by 3,889 votes in a five-cornered fight. Unggi also held the Barisan Nasional stronghold for three consecutive terms, since 2004. 

Jamawi acknowledged that Tenom would be a safe seat for him if he is selected as candidate, given BN’s track record there and the incentives being poured into the area.

“Tenom already has many developments. It has a new school and other schools and roads are being upgraded. 

“On agriculture, padi farmers receive a one-off assistance of RM200 from this year’s budget. All these (aid and developments) are to convince the community that we provide the leadership that understands the people’s problems. 

“So, we are confident that all rural areas or other areas in Sabah will continue to be BN’s fixed deposit.” 

Jamawi is also prepared should he not be chosen as a candidate no matter how hopeful things look, as he has experienced this disappointment before.

He was close to being picked in the 2013 elections but “things changed at the eleventh hour”.

“Although I was a bit disappointed, I still campaigned for the other candidate and I never had any intention of betraying the party.

“If you are an emotional person, you will jump parties or become an independent candidate to criticise the government. I was given the chance to serve but was denied contesting at the very last minute and I just took it that it was not my time yet.”

He cautioned, however, that in Sabah’s fractious politics, the BN leadership should be careful in choosing election candidates, as loyal individuals were instrumental in ensuring the ruling coalition’s success.

“Loyal candidates are needed but more importantly is loyal to the party, especially in Sabah. Politics is so unpredictable.” – March 3, 2018.