
Hadi's son-in-law retains division chief post unopposed
Amid controversy over a Facebook post alleged to contain racist undertones, Zaharudin Muhammad has retained his post as the Sungai Buloh PAS division chief.
Zaharudin (above, second from right), who is also PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's son-in-law, won uncontested during the division's annual general meeting and division.
The matter was confirmed by...

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The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Mobilising the Malays: Unity, or more of the same?
WHEN Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad announced the formation of the Sekreteriat Orang Melayu earlier this month – a 'new' political platform uniting PAS, Bersatu and Tun himself – it was framed as a response to a familiar problem: that the Malays are fragmented, under siege, and in need of political unity. It's a refrain we've heard before. That language of 'maruah', 'perpaduan', and 'ancaman' (pride, unity and threat) forms the core of a political script that's been circulating in Malay politics for decades. This recent development didn't emerge in isolation. It followed a series of coordinated steps: a roundtable discussion in December last year, the Himpunan Melayu Berdaulat rally last month, and now this formalised alliance. Together, they signal an attempt to re-energise the language of Malay grievance – and possibly, to build momentum ahead of the next general election. The question is: who is this really mobilising? Over the past year, Iman Research has been part of a research project that spoke to over 100 Malay youths all over Peninsular Malaysia – many from the Malay heartlands up North and in the East Coast. These are not constituencies of privilege. Many of the young people we spoke to struggle with financial and economic difficulties; stagnant wages, lack of jobs and an education system that is increasingly feeling out of step with the world they're entering. And yes, amid all this, these youths are not passive. They are politically aware, digitally connected, and observant. They are frustrated but not directionless. And if you listen closely, you realise their disillusionment is not with liberalism or globalisation. It's with politicians. With institutions. With the feeling that no one is really listening. In that context, it's not hard to see how something like a Malay secretariat might try to fill a void. But the real concern is that it risks doing so by recycling the same themes –racial anxiety, religious insecurity, and the idea that Malays are always under threat –without offering much in the way of structural solutions. The anatomy of mobilisation There's a clear line that cuts across the 2024 roundtable, the rally in May and the secretariat's formation on June 4. Each builds on the other: an intellectual frame, a symbolic display, and now, a political vessel. The roundtable brought together political leaders, academics and NGO figures to discuss the intricacies of Malay power and pride. The rally picked up the baton, bringing slogans along to the street and calls to protect Malay reserve land. The secretariat now presents itself as the solution–a unifying political front to restore what is perceived to be lost. But lost to whom? When we spoke to Malay youths across the country, many expressed deep scepticism towards elite-driven narratives of Malay decline. It's something they have heard repeatedly. And while many felt strongly about Islam, and were proud of their identity, they also recognised when those things were being used for political expediency. What they wanted was more tangible: economic dignity and a voice in the country's direction. Not a question of belief, but trust One thing that often gets misunderstood in political commentary is that the Malay youth are swinging rightward because they're becoming more 'conservative'. That's only partially true. Yes, Islamic identity is central to their worldview. Yes, many are wary of certain liberal or Western discourses. But that doesn't translate to automatic support for hardline policies – or blind allegiance to political coalitions like Perikatan Nasional. Their votes for Perikatan in 2022, for example, were rarely about ideological agreement. It was a protest vote to register disappointment and a message to Pakatan and Barisan, whose campaign overtures were tone-deaf to youth concerns. So when a group of elder politicians gather once again to call for Malay unity, and when the same slogans are brought back into circulation, there is fatigue. Not necessary rejection, but weariness. A sense that ground realities are being misunderstood, or worse, ignored. Representation without renewal It's hard to ignore the absence of young people in these recent mobilisation efforts. The December roundtable, the May rally, and this week's secretariat announcement were all dominated by familiar names. Veterans and survivors of past political cycles. People who know the game and know how to play it. But that's missing is a conversation about succession. Not just electoral, but ideological. What does Malay leadership look like for the generation now? Whose lives are shaped by multifaceted shifts; a historic change of government, a global pandemic, international politics swinging into populism and massively-shifting global powers, and a decline of institutions. In our fieldwork, many youths felt that political parties treated them more like logistical staff than future leaders. Raise the flags. Become convoy riders to a political candidate. But don't ask questions. Don't challenge decisions. Don't expect structural change. The result? An increasingly cynical electorate, and one that knows exactly how political rituals work and who they benefit. The risk of performative unity Unity is a powerful word. It invokes solidarity, common purpose and a shared future. But it can also be used as a shield–to deflect criticism, suppress dissent, and maintain power. What we're seeing now is a version of unity that feels performative. One that is more about consolidating elite authority than expanding participation. One that speaks of Malay futures, but is rooted in political nostalgia. Young Malays are not seeking a saviour. They're asking for space, trust and a seat at the table. If that's not what unity offers – then it may not be worth pursuing. IMAN Research's upcoming report, 'Orang Kita: Malay Youth Democratic Renewal Post-GE 15: The Politics of Acknowledgement and Resentment' will be published in July 2025. Aziff Azuddin is a Research Associate with IMAN Research, a think tank studying society, religion and politics. He specialises in politics and urban sociology. The views expressed here are solely the writer's own.


Malaysiakini
7 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Hadi's son-in-law retains division chief post unopposed
Amid controversy over a Facebook post alleged to contain racist undertones, Zaharudin Muhammad has retained his post as the Sungai Buloh PAS division chief. Zaharudin (above, second from right), who is also PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's son-in-law, won uncontested during the division's annual general meeting and division. The matter was confirmed by...


New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar wants to boost Malaysia-Germany ties
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed Malaysia's intentions to further strengthen relations with Germany. The prime minister told this to outgoing German ambassador to Malaysia Dr Peter Blomeyer, who paid him a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office. Anwar said Malaysia wants to work with Germany in areas of economy, education and culture, in particular. "Beyond expanding trade and investment opportunities, cooperation in education including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as cultural exchange can foster mutual understanding and appreciation of diversity," he said in a Facebook post. He added that such a comprehensive relationship would further enhance people-to-people ties between the two nations and contribute to sustainable shared progress.