Talking about political change

FOR those who missed The Nut Graph’s first Found in Conversation event on creativity and innovation in politics, held on 20 June 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, the following videos tell the story.

The three invited guests were first-time Members of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai) from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau) from Umno, and Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara) from the DAP. The conversation was moderated by The Nut Graph editor Jacqueline Ann Surin.

Political landscape post-2008

Nurul Izzah and Khairy answer the question about what it will take for politicians or a political party to survive the next general election.

Pua, Nurul Izzah and Khairy talk about the changing demands of voters post-2008, and how that has affected their role and the role of their parties.

On structural reforms

Khairy talks about changes within Umno and what’s needed.

Pua talks about reforms and challenges within the DAP.

Khairy explains capacity-building measures within Umno.

On the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s successes and challenges. Both Nurul Izzah and Pua respond to a critical question from the floor about what the PR has done since they were voted in in 2008.

On women

Nurul Izzah talks about the challenges women face.

On women within the party structure. Khairy admits that the odds are stacked against women in Umno, while Pua says the DAP has a more open structure.

On political futures

Pua and Nurul Izzah talk about the state and future of the PR as an alliance.

Can the PR convince the rakyat that it is capable of governing? Why won’t it set up a shadow cabinet to demonstrate its seriousness and capability? Nurul Izzah and Pua field a question from the floor and respond to a challenge from Khairy.

Khairy takes on a question from the floor about whether Umno needs to lose power in order for it to change. He argues that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is a reform-minded leader, and that it is important for Najib to know that he has support to push his reform agenda.

On education and the arts

Nurul Izzah and Pua talk about what their respective parties and the PR are doing to support education and the arts.

Khairy takes on the question: “It’s not the amount of money that the government puts aside for the arts. It’s where it’s going. And I think that’s the problem. It’s not going to the right places. And it’s going to a lot of mainstream [stuff], basically, at the moment, which needs to change.”

On creativity and innovation in politics

Pua and Khairy speak concretely about the one creative and innovative thing their parties have done since 2008.

Nurul Izzah says PKR’s most innovative act was her father Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for the New Economic Policy (NEP) to be revamped so that affirmative action is based on need. Pua agrees that Anwar took a political risk, and that his consistent call to revamp the NEP was what convinced him that Anwar could be an alternative prime minister. Khairy agrees that Anwar has been consistent on this point, but argues that Anwar has it easier than Najib in bringing about such a change.

ound in Conversation is a series of conversations hosted by The Nut Graph with our media partner PopRadeeo and venue sponsor Leonardo’s Dining Room and Wine Loft. It aims to link personalities, ideas and people, and to provide opportunities for the public to engage with notable personalities and industry experts. The next Found in Conversation will be at the same venue on 25 July 2010 and will discuss creativity and innovation in education. Courtesy of Nut Graph.