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Mahathir appeals to younger generation
Malaysia's young and affluent don't want a change in government |
By Simon Ingram in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia's general election comes after a turbulent year in the country's politics triggered by the dismissal and jailing of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.
The crisis caused many to raise serious questions about fairness and justice in Malaysian society.
But for Malaysia's young and upwardly mobile, other more practical considerations could determine the outcome of the vote.
 I'm having a good time now. If there is a change in government, we won't know what's going to happen.  |
| Nightclub goer, Kuala Lumpur |
If there is dissatisfaction among young Malaysians, don't expect to find it in the nightclubs of Kuala Lumpur.
The economic boom over which Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has presided spawned a new breed of the affluent and spoiled.
Now, they say, is not the time to risk throwing him and his government out of office.
Kuala Lumpur's thriving nightlife is not the place to find disaffected youth |
A comfortable home and a car in the garage are novelties people like retired teacher and government supporter, Nasrudin Mohamed, feel cannot be taken for granted.
His children, he says, should be thankful for the lifestyle and jobs they enjoy today:
"In almost every aspect of life," he told me "we can see a big change from what we had in the '50s and '60s.
Many of Malaysia's middle class enjoy a confortable home with a car in the garage |
The vast mega-projects that have transformed Kuala Lumpur are another reason Dr Mahathir says Malaysians should be grateful.
To others, owning the world's tallest building is merely proof of an arrogant leadership out of touch with the needs of ordinary people.
As Charles Santiago of the People's Manifesto Initiative, says: "I think you can see two images of the same nation: one whose dreams are to put up big buildings and acquire privatised projects, and the other a disadvantaged people, without homes or without decent education or decent healthcare."
Deprivation ever-present
A squatter village languishes in the shadow of one of Kuala Lumpur's mega-projects |
When we arrived with our film crew, a group of government supporters tried to stop us filming.
One of them warned: "Why should you take a photograph of this area? There are other places for you to take photographs."
Whether or not a new picture of Malaysia is likely to emerge may become clearer after the elections.
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See also: |
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10 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Profile: Malaysia's strongman Mahathir |
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15 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Analysis: The challenge for Malaysia's reformers |
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11 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Party guide: Malaysia's opposition alliance |
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12 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Analysis: Malaysia's electoral showdown |
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Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia |
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Alternative Alliance: Joint Manifesto |
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