SINGAPORE: A senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, at Nanyang Technological University, sees Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak emerging as the central issue in this general election.
Offering himself as the leader to vote for, as opposed to opposition chiefs (Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang), Najib positioned himself as a technocratic leader who deserved the people’s mandate for his vision to take Malaysia forward, noted Yang Razali Kassim.
In so doing, he said, the election was emerging as a referendum on Najib’s leadership.
“At the core is his vision for the country which he has rolled out over the last four years since he was elected prime minister.
“He has positioned himself as a technocratic leader with a vision and a plan to take the country forward, and therefore, a leader who deserves the people’s mandate.
“If Mahathir’s (former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) vision for the country is 2020, PM Najib’s vision is 1Malaysia,” Yang Razali said.
He said Najib’s roadmap to that vision comprised various transformation plans which he unveiled on Saturday night, which formed the pillars of the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto.
Sharing his views on Malaysian politics, Yang Razali said Malaysian politics had evolved significantly.
He said the outcome of the coming general election would be a milestone in defining the future system.
Responding to a question on the aspirations of Malaysians, Yang Razali said: “In a sense, Malaysia already has a vision of its aspired world — as contained in Vision 2020.
“It is a progressive society that Dr Mahathir envisaged two decades ago, (and) is being sustained by PM Najib with his 1Malaysia strategy.
“The ideal world for Malaysians is not for outsiders to determine or define … it would be one in which all citizens, regardless of their background, feel at home, and that they have a place under the Malaysian sun.
“It is one that gives them a sense of belonging, where they live happily with each other and in peace and harmony, as they collectively enjoy the trappings of a developed society – indeed, even contributing to the well-being of the global community.” — Bernama