Be on the right side of history, Nurul Izzah tells young voters

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Nurul Izzah Anwar posed herself as the mirror image of young voters in Malaysia, sharing today their dreams and hopes and telling them to be “on the right side of history” in Election 2013.

In a video message uploaded to Youtube devoid of fuss or frills, the incumbent Lembah Pantai MP appealed to over five million young voters, who make up about 46 per cent of about 13 million registered voters gazetted in the latest electoral roll, to vote for their shared dream for change.

“We grew up together, you and I. You know me, you know who I am, and I know you. Because I am you,” she said, gazing directly into the camera in the two minute 15 second clip.

It is a phrase the eldest daughter of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim repeats often as she attempts to be personable, tying her destiny with that of young voters under the age of 40.

“Because when I’m not fighting the good fight in parliament or speaking in front of thousands in the padang in the rain, I worry about getting my children to school on time. I worry about putting dinner on the table, and planning bday parties, and how to live a better life – in service of one another, in service of God, and in service of country,” she said.

She also told young voters that they were raised together in a different Malaysia preoccupied with building itself, and that they are brought together by their shared experiences, distinct to any other generation.

Appealing to voters to step boldly into a new Malaysia, she said: “No generation, not since that of Independence, has experienced this much hope for change for a better brighter future. No generation in our history has had this much of a voice, no generation has had this much influence. This generation, your generation.”

“So I ask you to help realise that dream deferred for so long. I ask you to join me and be on the right side of history, because we grew up together, you and I,” she said.

The video has been viewed 12,550 times since yesterday, but although it will surely resonate with many, most of the subsequent comments fall short of the reaction the Lembah Pantai MP must have hoped for.

One YouTube user said: “Sorry Izzah. You can count me out. And nope, seems like we didn’t grow up together and share the same experiences... I love my Malaysia, dulu kini dan selamanya. And I

would like to keep it that way for many more years to come, if not foverer. Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. =)”

Another commenter took offense at the video, saying that Nurul Izzah cannot speak for the poor: “Liar... you are rich, your father has a lot of money... don’t talk about poverty like this... don’t talk about generation...”

Other detractors criticised the message being delivered in English and not Bahasa Malaysia, with one commenter saying: “In my opinion, the English speaking voters are a lost cause. They do not need further convincing. Its the Bahasa speaking voters that needs focus.”