They say young Malaysians are likely to continue with harsh criticism of the government through social media and hold demonstrations if Putrajaya does not buck up
Last Thursday, a video clip of a street protest in Parit Raja, near Batu Pahat, Johor was posted online and quickly went viral on social media.
It showed a group of motorists and motorcyclists blocking a busy intersection, burning flares and setting ablaze a banner with the words “Kerajaan Gagal” on it.
Tweets with the hashtag #KerajaanGagal, which started on April 16, have been trending for a month.
Azmi Hassan, formerly of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), said it appeared that youths want to know what the government was seeking to do in its fight against Covid-19.
He said Putrajaya should emulate Britain, which “has a detailed plan of when and what to open and in what kind of situation”. He was referring to restrictions on business and other activities.
“Our youths also want to see a clear roadmap,” he told FMT.
He said they wanted the government to show it knew what it was doing. “They do not want U-turns.”
Referring to a recent government announcement of SOPs for Hari Raya and a lockdown in Kuala Lumpur, he said: “They understood the reasons. But just before Raya, the government announced a total lockdown despite earlier stating there would be no nationwide MCO.
“The perception that youths have is that there is no clear thinking within the government of how to fight Covid-19 and to help them with their problems.”
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya (UM) said the weakening economy was causing a fear of job losses among youths who, he added, were also angry over the state of emergency and curbs on freedom of speech.
He also said they rejected the alleged application of double standards in the enforcement of SOPs.
“They understand the reasons for the compound fines but are becoming rebellious over double standards,” he told FMT.
Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said most Malaysians, including youths, were supportive of SOPs and “proper lockdowns” but were looking for “clear direction and instructions”.
He urged the government to stop applying double standards and to make policies that would help youths “get back to normal lives”.
Malaysia is under a nationwide MCO from May 12 to June 7.