Dial N for Najib

Najib hopes that by bribing the young with the N1SP (Najib’s 1SmartPhone), he can influence them to persuade any fence-sitters in their families to vote for BN.

COMMENT

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak wants to connect with the Malaysian youth by offering a rebate of RM200 on the purchase of a 3G smartphone, but the conditions applied to the offer are causing a lot of acrimony.

During Budget 2013 last September, Najib announced that there would be a discount of RM200 when a 3G smartphone was purchased by Malaysians aged between 21 and 30 years of age, earning RM3000 or less, per month.

He claimed that, “This is to benefit 1.5 million youths” and that the special package would cost the government RM300 million.

Quick to rubbish these measures and calling the move “stupid”, was the PKR strategic director, Rafizi Ramli who claimed that the dealers would be the only people to benefit, because the smartphones could only be bought at selected outlets.

He voiced his opposition at a ceramah soon after Najib had tabled the budget. “It’s a stupid announcement…..The average price (of a smartphone) is around RM1,000 to RM1,500,” said Rafizi.

“If a youngster wants to enjoy the RM200 rebate, he’ll have to fork out RM800 from his own pocket to purchase the smartphones. So, the dealer earns RM800.

“If you don’t fork out the RM800 you will not get the smart phones. Those who stand to benefit most are not the ‘rakyat’ but the appointed dealers.”

Yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) posted on its website, the five stipulations:- The RM200 rebate could only be used for smartphones which were priced less than RM500. The purchaser had to be a Malaysian citizen of 21 to 30-years old with a monthly income of RM3,000 or less. Each person is entitled to one smartphone and purchasers could continue with their existing mobile broadband or apply for a new package.

Although the rebate was directed at the young, other sections of the community are already flaying Najib for what they perceive as another election gimmick.

One mother, whose daughter is unemployed despite graduating from a local university two years ago, said, “What is the point of the RM200 rebate? We want the PM to provide job opportunities for our youth. This RM300 million of taxpayer’s money is not being wisely spent. Our children want employment. Not phones.”

Not everyone is happy

A college lecturer, when contacted said, “Najib talks like he is in the phones and communication marketing business. If only he would spend the money earmarked for this ‘deal’ on better education for the young.

“Our children are bad at communicating and being in possession of a smartphone will not make the youth smarter. As it is, the Malaysian youth need to improve their levels of communication.

“The smartphones won’t make them spell better and it won’t teach them to write proper sentences which are necessary for a job application. Would Najib care to have a look at the terrible essays I am forced to mark? Is it any wonder prospective employers are not recruiting?”

A former human resources manager in a multinational firm said, “It is frustrating to see good qualifications on paper, but when you come face-to-face with the young person at interview, he is a disappointment.

“Perhaps, the government could provide support for unemployed graduates, like courses to polish these young people, on their interview techniques, preparations of CVs or how to fill in an application form and how to write a covering letter.”

A number of senior citizens have voiced their disappointment that they are continually being left out of Najib’s “special measures”.

One said, “The Christians had travel restrictions lifted on travel to Israel, although none of my friends can afford to go. The petty traders were given some incentive recently and other trade bodies have had handouts in one form or other. What about senior citizens?”

One man who has retired and now works as a volunteer said: “Instead of weaning Malaysians off subsidies, Najib is making our youth more dependent on handouts. You buy the phone cheaply, who then pays the bills?”

Another senior citizen asked why Najib was not taking measures to tackle the rising cost of living and increased price of commodities, whilst an Iban working in Semenanjung wondered if the PM could use the money to improve the infrastructure in and around his village in the interior of Sarawak.

So although the PM may think he is reaching out to the Malaysian youth, he has managed to alienate other sections of the community. Many pensioners and single mothers are struggling to survive and could do with the boost that would come from an investment of RM300 million in sensible policies.

A single mother who has been abandoned by her husband said, “My husband declined to give me a divorce and only pays us a visit, when he argues with his new wife. With three young children, it is difficult to make ends meet. If only there was cheaper child care, so I can afford to seek employment safe in the knowledge my children are safe.

“I know of many single mothers, like me, who would like to learn a skill and work from home to get extra income. Why not spend the RM300 million on training schemes?

Election gimmick

Political pundits claim that these smartphones are a convenient means for Najib to target users with his 1Malaysia slogans or other trivia, especially when users open a Twitter account.

This is in addition to the cronies who will make millions from their dealerships.

A few cynics predict that this smartphone election gimmick will backfire just like the other schemes.

Najib targets the young because many of the older generation know how they will vote.

Najib hopes that by bribing the young with the N1SP (Najib’s 1SmartPhone), he can influence them to persuade any fence-sitters in their families to vote for BN.

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Mariam Mokhtar is a FMT columnist.