They hope the Umno Youth vice-chief’s “progressive views” on many issues – including his recent open rebuke to those in his own party for making racially charged statements – will lead to a new trend within the Malay party after its fall from grace last year.
But PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir rejected a suggestion that Shahril could be a suitable candidate for PH to pinch, as the ruling coalition through PPBM welcomes former Umno leaders who have left the party.
He said Shahril should stay in Umno to keep the party in check.
“It’ll be better for him to stay in the opposition as well, as we cannot allow statements from Umno and PAS to be made based purely on racial sentiments,” he said, referring to Umno’s new alliance with PAS.
Syukri Razab, a PKR Youth leader who is also chief strategist of PH’s Youth wing, said Shahril is needed in the opposition to help “strengthen Malaysia’s democracy”.
“Of course, we welcome progressive individuals like Shahril to join PKR,” he told FMT. “But it is more important to make sure Malaysia has a healthier democracy in place.
“And in order to achieve that, we need a progressive and strong opposition with more Shahrils, unlike the Umno leaders of today who love to play up racial sentiments.”
For Akmal, Shahril as the second most senior leader in the Youth wing can influence his party.
“I think Umno leaders know that what he said does have some truth to it, so it will be difficult for him to have disciplinary action taken against him for speaking out like this,” he added.
Akmal also said it did not matter whether Shahril’s views were too late, coming at a time when Umno is no longer in power.
He said Shahril’s journey in Umno will be tough, adding that he is facing fellow leaders such as Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, and his own boss in the Youth wing, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
“These two use a far-right approach, and now with PAS’ support, Shahril has to do more work to justify that the future of Umno will rely on being moderate and people-centric.”
PPBM Supreme Council member Tariq Ismail agreed that Umno could not resist the “temptation to veer to the right”, but said this was due to the failure to address bread-and-butter issues.
“In fact, the division of income groups and race that we are facing today is inherited from the ineptitude of the previous Barisan Nasional government.
“So, for Shahril to come out and declare a progressive vision for Umno is commendable as I believe there should be progressives in every party,” Tariq said.
Tariq, too, thinks Shahril should remain in Umno, and is confident he can return the party to its former glory.
DAP Youth chief Howard Lee has stronger words for Shahril, taking him to task for defending policies that are race-based.
“There is no borderline racist or half racist. One either is a racist or isn’t,” he said, referring to Shahril’s stance that “racialist” policies are not racist.
Lee said Shahril could apply to join DAP if he agrees with “DAP’s struggle for freedom”.
Lee has only one piece of advice for Shahril: “If Umno no longer stands for the national vision you envisage, dare to do different.”