Big bucks and bold plans - what’s driving Pahang’s economic rise?
In this episode, Dato’ Mohamad Nizar Najib breaks down how Pahang is shaping up to be a major player in Malaysia’s future - from booming investments to bold industrial growth and a push for tech and innovation that is changing the game local communities.
We also talk Umno’s evolving role in the state and get personal with his take on the legacy of Najib Razak, both as a national leader and as a father.
Catch this fresh, honest conversation only on Sinar Daily’s Top News Podcast!
#PoliticsMeetsProgress #DatoNizarNajib #NizarNajib #Najib #NajibRazak #Pahang #Umno #Malaysia #SinarDaily
In this episode, Dato’ Mohamad Nizar Najib breaks down how Pahang is shaping up to be a major player in Malaysia’s future - from booming investments to bold industrial growth and a push for tech and innovation that is changing the game local communities.
We also talk Umno’s evolving role in the state and get personal with his take on the legacy of Najib Razak, both as a national leader and as a father.
Catch this fresh, honest conversation only on Sinar Daily’s Top News Podcast!
#PoliticsMeetsProgress #DatoNizarNajib #NizarNajib #Najib #NajibRazak #Pahang #Umno #Malaysia #SinarDaily
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Assalamualaikum everyone, I am Tasmin Lohman and you are watching Top News Podcast and today I have a super exciting guest with us.
00:07It's Pahang, it's a Pahang Exco, okay guys. It's Pahang Investment, Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco,
00:15Dato' Muhammad Nizar Najib. Hello Dato, thank you so much for coming and joining us on the podcast.
00:20Thanks for having me today. Okay, I hope you're like chill and like, and like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's good.
00:27I think like you say, we should have it in a, what I'm saying in a sometime manner, very relaxed, probably not too serious.
00:35Definitely, like, let's keep it real and talk about the real issues that's happening in the country, right?
00:41And also in Pahang, I mean specifically in Pahang, obviously.
00:44Yes.
00:44Okay, so the topic for today is politics meets progress.
00:49I love the idea that we want to talk about politics but also the progress of the Pahang State because you are obviously there.
00:55You are like an assemblyman so you basically have to be there 80% of the time, right?
01:01Yes, that's correct.
01:02So maybe like, you could just give a take on what your responsibilities of progressing Pahang.
01:11Just a quick one so that the audience and our viewers understand.
01:14Okay, thank you Tasnim.
01:16That's a very good question to start with.
01:19So I'm a member of the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Pahang, so more commonly known as a State Esco member.
01:28But in terms of the Malay language, we use the term Ali Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri.
01:35And I've been entrusted with the portfolio of investments, industry, science, technology and innovation.
01:43Still relatively new to the post.
01:46I mean, I've been elected in December, 2nd December 2022, if I recall, just after the general elections.
01:53So basically, my portfolio for the investments in an industry side, my mandate is to attract high quality investments into Pahang.
02:04And I'm glad to share that in Pahang, we have very good and able leadership under my boss, which is the Chief Minister, the Honorable Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Diraja Wan Rosdi, Ben Wan Ismail.
02:20And under his leadership, we've managed to force remarkable economic growth.
02:25Our growth in 2023 was 5.2%, which surpasses the national average economic growth rate of 3.6%.
02:35So we have to bring in quality investments into Pahang, high-tech investments or investments which can generate a lot of spillovers into the state
02:49so that our people can get good jobs, they can earn a good living and you can boost all the key sectors within the state
02:57such as manufacturing, agriculture, services and natural assets we have like mining, the green economy and so on and so forth.
03:10The other part of my portfolio revolves around science, technology and innovation.
03:18So we don't want to be left out in terms of the digital economy.
03:24So that's why we've established entities like Pahang Go, who is the main steward of ensuring that we use technology and digital to improve our public service delivery.
03:38And one of my main things I'm focusing on is to advance the startup scene in Pahang.
03:52So Pahang, under this portfolio, we're interested to advance startups that can bring out new innovation, new ideas, new ways of doing things in key industries like agriculture, manufacturing, green economy and so on and so forth.
04:10And we also like to encourage more students to take on STEM, science, technology, engineering and mathematics qualifications if we can.
04:23So if we do that, I think we can bring up the percentage of high-skilled labour in the long run because right now our percentage of high-skilled labour is hovering about 20-22%.
04:35So we have to bring that up to the next level, to the same level as what we've seen in the Klang Valley.
04:46So Klang Valley, they have roughly 30-40% of their workforce is deemed to be highly skilled.
04:53So we want to move in that direction.
04:54So how do we do that?
04:55I think we have to start at grassroots level.
04:57So ensure that everybody takes on STEM.
04:59So these are the most sought-after and high-paid jobs.
05:05It sounds like there's a lot of investment opportunities in Pahang.
05:09So I'd like to ask, what's the strategy in attracting foreign and also local investors into the state?
05:16Yes.
05:18In Pahang, we've received a lot of interest actually from investors.
05:22I think in terms of strategy, I can share with you in the midst of crafting our economic blueprint,
05:31which is called the Pahang Economic Transformation Plan 2030.
05:36For short, we call it PAD 2030.
05:39It's due to be unveiled in a few months.
05:42There's some things we need to finalize with the state government and other stakeholders.
05:46But generally, this blueprint will decide what our priority is for the coming five years,
05:52what we intend to do, and how we allocate our resources in response to that.
05:58So for PET 2030, we've decided that true north, true north, what we want to focus on,
06:05a few key objectives.
06:07One is we've decided we want to be a 100 billion ringgit economy.
06:11Oh, that sounds amazing.
06:12So right now, we are at 65 billion in 2023.
06:17So between now and 2030, how do we grow the economic pie or chart and economic growth
06:27so that we can reach 100 billion come 2030?
06:31How do we do that?
06:32I think we have to focus on high impact, high value projects.
06:36For example, if you can bring UAV assembly manufacturer in Pahang,
06:48or you can quote companies that specialize in EV electronic vehicles,
06:54or if you can bring space technology into Pahang.
06:59So we're looking at a list of economic projects that we have in the pipeline.
07:07So we reckon that we can get 70 projects to take off.
07:15Okay.
07:15High impact projects.
07:16High impact, by definition, will create a lot of jobs.
07:20Yeah, will move us up the value chain and they will pay high wages.
07:25I think we stand a good chance of getting to the figure of being a 100 billion ringgit economy.
07:33Okay.
07:33And the ECRL project is expected to be completed soon in the next two to three years.
07:38That's right.
07:38That's right.
07:39Yeah, you're right.
07:40That's one of our key selling points.
07:41Yeah.
07:42We always tell investors, I mean, come, ECRL is due to be completed end of next year.
07:47End of next year.
07:48End of next year.
07:49So after testing and commissioning, it will be operational by January 2027.
07:54They'll be gain-changing for us.
07:56Exactly.
07:56Because what we see is investors, they tend to focus on industrial parks which have good connectivity.
08:03Right now, Gebeng is, Gebeng in Kuantan is the preferred industrial park in Pahang because of the obvious connectivity, Kuantan port there.
08:15There's even going to be an ECRL station there.
08:17And we're going to build, we have plans to build a new airport, which is in Gebeng, at the border of Kemaman.
08:31Okay.
08:31So those are key selling points.
08:32But once we have ECRL, I reckon the other industrial parks which we have in Gambang, in Temelur, or maybe in Bentong, Yanmaran, I think they will be boosted by this strong connectivity that we have.
08:50So ECRL is meant to be 70% cargo.
08:53And already we have companies like Perudua.
08:57They wish to export 30,000 vehicles to Sabah, Sarawak.
09:05Okay.
09:05From the Kuantan port?
09:06From Kuantan port.
09:07Okay.
09:07So what they will do is they will ship 30,000 cars from their factories in Klang Valley or from wherever it is on the west coast onto the east coast.
09:16And then there will be a roll-on-roll-off carrier which will then take those vehicles to Borneo.
09:23Is there some sort of strategy going on?
09:24Because all the areas that you've mentioned are very much nearer to KL compared to like nearer up east.
09:31Is there a reason why it's like more towards like Temerlo, towards Maran, towards Selangor basically, right?
09:39I think, well I agree with my boss, the Honorable Menteri Besar is quite keen that we have even development.
09:48I mean we have 14 districts in Pahang.
09:50I mean all the economic spillover can't be concentrated solely in Kuantan.
09:55Exactly.
09:56Right now it is.
09:57But we have to make sure to a certain extent when we take care of the other districts too that they get at least some of the economic benefits of the connectivity like CRL, Central Spine Road.
10:09And where possible we try to get investors to build factories or businesses in the other districts so that they won't just focus solely on Kuantan.
10:20And then the other key thing, if we are serious about attracting investors, I think it's of doing business and facilitation is very key.
10:35From what we observe, we've had a workshop recently.
10:38We invited forward thinking government agencies throughout Malaysia like Kulim Hightech, like Majlis Pemandang Kulai and IRDA.
10:49And what they shared with us is that facilitation is the key.
10:53So investors, they want fast processes, fast approvals and fast decisions.
10:59So the onus is on us as a state government with our various government agencies to find out ways how we can expedite the approval process,
11:08make it easier for the investor, lower down his cost of doing business.
11:14I mean some government agencies in other states, they go to the extent of accompanying the investor to open a bank account.
11:23Oh wow, that's very thorough.
11:25They're really rolling out the red carpet or accompanying them to go to certain federal ministry if that's an issue.
11:31So things like that do matter.
11:33I think investors really like that kind of thought and service.
11:37Pahang is very, very, it's one of the most greenest states like in Semenanjung, right?
11:41Correct.
11:41How do you ensure the environmental sustainability aligns with the project, I mean with the development and the projects that's coming into the state?
11:52Environmental sustainability.
11:54Yeah, that's a good question.
11:58I've mentioned the PAD 30 Economic Transformation Plan.
12:01So one of the key salient objectives is to reduce our greenhouse gases by 45% KAP 2030.
12:10And Pahang, we want to remain as green as possible.
12:13We are still 57% covered in rainforest.
12:17And of course, you probably know that we have big national parks like Taman Negara, Lipes, we have our geopark.
12:30And then Tasik Cini is designated as a UNESCO heritage site.
12:35So we want to preserve the sites.
12:37And in Pahang, we're very fortunate because our royal family, Tuangku Sudhan Pahang, and especially the Tuangku Tengku Makota,
12:45they are very passionate and keen about environmental issues.
12:50We definitely see it.
12:51So much so that they've been instrumental in gazetting 100,000 acres of land to be reserved for our Malayan tiger.
13:02The Malayan tiger has been dwindling in terms of numbers.
13:05So we need to bring up the numbers again.
13:09So we have designated 100,000 hectares in Temeloh to make sure that we help them breed again so that they won't become too endangered species.
13:26And we've been trying to, we've been trying our best to support the National Energy Transition Plan.
13:35So whatever we can do, we will try to promote solar projects for instance,
13:43so long as they don't compete too much with alternative users like building a farm or industrial land.
13:55There's an opportunity cost to solar farms.
13:58So you build solar farm, then that means you don't have enough land for agriculture or industrial use for other things.
14:03And we had some companies who are studying the possibility of doing wind turbine projects.
14:10Would you believe?
14:11That sounds very interesting.
14:12Even I didn't think that we can do wind energy projects.
14:17But apparently we can.
14:18There's some technologies available.
14:22And the promoters say that as low as speed as 3 meters as I can is viable enough to have a wind turbine project.
14:34But in any case, they have to do their studies.
14:36And then they have to do a six-month wind mask to make sure that the location is ideal for wind turbine.
14:43And we have major water bodies.
14:44We have 12 major water bodies that which can use for hydroelectric projects or for pump hydro.
14:50So that needs to be seriously looked at.
14:56And I mentioned we're quite keen to promote mobility and electronic vehicles investments.
15:03But we have, you must have the ecosystem in place.
15:06So we were trying to attract EV charger companies to set up shop.
15:16I mean, there are a few.
15:17Yeah, there's one company who's committed to building 50 EV stations throughout Pahang.
15:25And they have budget of 200 million ringgit for it.
15:27Wow, okay.
15:27That's very...
15:28So again, the key is how serious are we in welcoming them?
15:31We have to make sure that our agencies allocate sites for these companies and make it easier as them as possible in terms of approval.
15:40I think like the vision is definitely there.
15:43It's just the execution, right?
15:44And the research.
15:45That's right.
15:45Like everything else, execution is key.
15:49Yeah.
15:49Okay.
15:50So like we're going on to innovation and technological advancement.
15:53So like in today's global economy, right?
15:56Like innovation is the key driver for progress.
16:00So how is Pahang fostering innovation and development of high tech industries?
16:05Yeah, in terms of courting investment, I think we will give priority to high tech proposals or high tech investments.
16:18And like I mentioned, jobs will move us high up in the value chain so that our people can get paid more.
16:27So for instance, there have been some interesting proposals of late that's come to a table.
16:37So there's some companies who are willing to set up a nanotech fertilizer based in Gebeng.
16:46Yeah, so I'm told that it will dramatically increase the yield of paddy and other food crops.
16:54And what else then?
16:58There's other companies interested to set up UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Facility.
17:05They're keen to partner with UMPSA for this venture.
17:09So that's in a pipeline.
17:11Because UAV and drones for that matter, it's growing in terms of application and in terms of popularity.
17:20And they're used in so many different areas, correct?
17:28Like in agriculture, you can use drones to spray pesticides and whatnot.
17:34You can use UAV vehicles which are much faster than drones.
17:38You can use them, for instance, to patrol our coastline and our sea borders.
17:50Sometimes we, not sometimes, we get a lot of problems in terms of foreign fishermen intruding fishing in our water.
17:56So we can use, in addition to APMM, ships, we can use these UAV vehicles that actually patrol our coast.
18:05And I mentioned the interesting proposal that we have in terms of space technology.
18:10There's a consortium looking at building a space port in my hometown in Pekan.
18:16So imagine the sight of seeing a rocket blasting up to the air and then separating to release a satellite.
18:23Like in Houston, right?
18:25Like in Houston, you have something like NASA in your backyard.
18:28Wow, that's like next level.
18:31So yeah, those are some of the things.
18:34And other than that, I think our local universities, they have a lot of interesting patterns and technologies.
18:42But the challenge has always been to commercialize these things.
18:46So how do you, how you get them from research paper to, to being a product or service that's useful to the general public?
18:54From your take, what's hindering that process, actually?
18:58I, in my mind, I think the researchers, I mean, all due respect to them, they're brilliant researchers.
19:03But they're very focused on their scope of work.
19:07So they won't have time to oversee the commercial aspects of running a business.
19:12It's very rare that you see someone can do both.
19:15That's why we've introduced a new program, the Pahang Innovative Startup Accelerator, Polypisa.
19:22So this is a program which is designed to groom Pahang startups and take them to the next level.
19:31So under this program, you get mentorship, you get the best mentors in, you know, how to build a business plan,
19:42how to pitch a business, how to navigate the regulatory and legal challenges of being a startup, and so on and so forth.
19:52So there's a lot of coaching involved, and to date we have four or five cohorts already, 59 companies who've gone through this program
20:01since a couple of years ago.
20:03It's a program jointly organized by Yasan Pahang and a private company called Beyond4.
20:09And to date we are proud to say that we have five startups who've reached a valuation of 5 million ringgit or more.
20:17Wow, that's...
20:18Yeah, companies like Carbotech.
20:19Within like two years.
20:20Exploria.
20:21Yes.
20:22Wow, that's incredible.
20:23Yes, yeah.
20:24Because you know startups, right?
20:26Startups are very challenging in the sense that they're new.
20:30They have new technology, but it's unproven in terms of being, of trying to commercialize it.
20:35Yeah.
20:36Right?
20:36I mean, all the famous companies like your Ubers of this world, your Grabs of this world, your Apples and Google.
20:44There's a lot of startups, but only so many.
20:46Yeah.
20:47So, to my mind, we have to give them the best odds of surviving.
20:54Okay.
20:54Yeah.
20:54So, this program is one of them.
20:57So, you give them the tools, give them the coaching required to make it to the next level
21:02so they can get more seed funding, more venture capital funding.
21:06How would you say these Pahang startups get connected?
21:09Like, for example, they're just normal kids who have graduated from university or, you know, school.
21:17Sometimes the younger, the better, kan?
21:19Yeah.
21:19So, like, how would they find this, like, startup program?
21:25Yeah, we've been trying to publicize this program through our network, through the universities,
21:31through government agencies, through our own marketing, through the company Beyond 4 and its network,
21:39through Yasan Pahang, and they have access to so many students, but they sponsor a lot of students in Pahang, right?
21:46Yeah.
21:46So, I think we're seeing some traction.
21:51For instance, this startup called C-Mart, they do apps to help small businesses record their transactions
22:01and manage their finances so that they can easily get a bank loan once they have a three-year track record, right?
22:07That's always the key thing in terms of financing, having a track record.
22:12So, this young person, I think, I think word of mouth is also plays a key role.
22:18I mean, once you get past a few cohorts, I think the, I mean, the startups, the successful startups,
22:25they'll know where to go, where to go, they'll spread the word in their community,
22:30and then they will attract more youngsters to be in a program.
22:33So, like I mentioned before, to your question, why is it a challenge to commercialize IPs?
22:39I think researchers, they won't have time to actually oversee the business aspect.
22:44So, they will partner with another commercial person or business person in a startup.
22:48We've seen that combination happening for that entity called Carbotech,
22:53one of the more successful startups in our program.
22:56So, we have a professor who's a researcher in the technology.
23:01The technology is to find ways to accelerate photosynthesis process, right?
23:09So that you can generate more yield, more output, and so on and so forth.
23:17Yeah, so she oversees the research aspect.
23:23So, we have another CEO, commercial person who's overseeing the business and aspects.
23:31Yeah, that's right.
23:32That's really cool.
23:33So, you mentioned just now there was like a whole, PISA had like a whole ecosystem roadmap, right?
23:41Going to be built.
23:42Going to be built.
23:42So, the accelerator program is one component.
23:50Okay.
23:51But you're right, we have to design one whole ecosystem.
23:54Okay.
23:54A bit like Silicon Valley.
23:56Oh, okay.
23:56That's cool.
23:57That's interesting.
23:58They have a complete ecosystem.
23:59So, you have lawyers, well-versed in startups play.
24:04You have a diverse range of funders.
24:07You have venture capital, business angels, banks, and other companies willing to invest.
24:12In startups, or you have universities who are willing to commercialize their IPs and partner with local startups.
24:23And we're looking to bring foreign startups to set up shop in Pahang.
24:28So, that's always a possibility.
24:29So, where do you envision the Silicon Valley of Pahang?
24:33Where?
24:33Yeah.
24:34Well, it's either in Kuantan or if I dare to dream in Pekan.
24:40Okay.
24:40Okay.
24:41Boleh-boleh.
24:42Boleh-boleh.
24:43Definitely boleh.
24:44Yeah.
24:45So, again, it's a five-year program.
24:49So, you have to build the building blocks in place to make this happen.
24:52And it's consistent with Mosty's agenda, Ministry of Science's agenda at the national level.
24:58So, they have a program called Super, which is doing the same thing, but at the national level,
25:02trying to build or give life to 10,000 startups in Malaysia.
25:12Okay.
25:13Yeah.
25:14That's exciting.
25:15Yeah.
25:16I can't wait for a Silicon Valley.
25:19Because Kuantan already gives that LA vibe, you know.
25:23Yeah, LA vibe.
25:24You reckon, LA vibe.
25:25Definitely.
25:27Okay.
25:27Okay.
25:28So, like, since we're talking about the future, right?
25:30Like, where do you see, where do you envision Pahang in the next five to 10 years in terms of investment,
25:36industry, technological growth in the next five to 10 years?
25:42Okay.
25:42That's an interesting question.
25:44So, this question, to me, is an exercise in visualization.
25:48Okay.
25:49So, you just close your eyes.
25:50Can you imagine what Pahang will be like in five to 10 years?
25:53So, in five to 10 years, I'd like to think that we've achieved what we set out to do in our economic transformation plan.
25:59That means we are 100 billion ringgit economy by then.
26:05Okay.
26:05All right.
26:06And then, our revenue would have doubled from 1 billion to 2 billion ringgit in terms of government revenue.
26:15So, under my boss's leadership, under Datuk Sri Menteri Besar's leadership, Datuk Sri Dirajawan Rosdi, my one is my ear,
26:22we've managed to generate 1 billion ringgit in terms of state revenue for three consecutive years.
26:30That's never happened before.
26:32So, he's a very able and competent leader.
26:36So, he's very good at managing finances.
26:39So, we've managed to raise our revenue.
26:43We've managed to pare down our debt.
26:45Okay.
26:45From 3 billion ringgit, 3.3 billion ringgit to just 900 million ringgit now.
26:49Wow.
26:50And last, in 2023, we've been given a clean audit certificate by the auditor general.
26:59That means our state finances are really in good shape and in order is an unqualified opinion.
27:05Okay.
27:07So, in five years, I also envision that we will have five startups worth 100 million ringgit.
27:13Wow.
27:14So, maybe they have some breakthrough research in agriculture and breakthrough commercial technologies in other areas, maybe manufacturing.
27:25Okay.
27:25So, I envision us playing a big role in the countries, in helping the countries being the backbone of anchoring and solving the country's food security challenges.
27:39Yeah, I was just about to ask you that.
27:41Like, I love the fact that you're addressing the food security issue because, like, that's, like, going to be the biggest problem, I would say, heading to the future, right?
27:49Correct.
27:50And we and Tasnim, we are paying to the tune of 70 billion ringgit a year in terms of import bills.
27:57Exactly.
27:57That's really sustainable in the long term.
28:00Yeah.
28:00So, we need to be growing our own to a certain extent, our own food and make it easier for our smallholders to actually contribute to that effort.
28:10So, if we had it our way, every inch of fertile land should be allocated to able modern farmers using precision farming or the latest IoT methods to increase yield.
28:24So, definitely.
28:25And then that nanotech investment is pretty interesting.
28:27Yeah.
28:28You can have those technologies we brought into play.
28:31I think it will dramatically increase our yield.
28:34You know, everything sounds so promising and ideal.
28:37Yeah.
28:39I know you are from Pahang.
28:41Yeah.
28:42But, like, is there any states that have been, like, in communication with you guys to, you know, learn from Pahang how you guys have improved the state, like, from the leadership of Natus Rewan and Rosdi as well,
28:52to uphold their state as well?
28:57Well, I'm sure there's been informal talks, discussions with my Menteri Besar, although maybe not offsheet.
29:06I mean, we have some agencies outside actually visiting the state.
29:13You know, just to have a brainstorming session, sharing session with Pahang state.
29:18Yeah.
29:19And we exchange ideas.
29:20I mean, we learn from them and they learn from us as well.
29:23And in terms of best practices and what to do.
29:25I'm saying this because, you know, Pahang has always been with UMNO.
29:29Yeah.
29:30I'm just moving a little bit into politics because we did talk about politics and progress, right?
29:35So, like, Pahang has been very influential.
29:39I mean, UMNO and Pahang has always been synonymous.
29:42So, like, UMNO is not only Pahang but, like, nationwide, right?
29:47So, I'm sure, like, you guys do share knowledge and skills and practices.
29:52Yeah, we do.
29:53So, how do you think, how do you think UMNO plays a role in being the dominant force in Pahang?
30:02And also, I would say, nationwide?
30:06Yes.
30:07I mean, if you look at our history and UMNO's history, from Pahang, we've managed to produce three prime ministers from Pahang.
30:18And it has always been a resilient UMNO state.
30:21Definitely.
30:22I remember back in 2018 when Barisan National lost.
30:25Yeah.
30:26The only two states left which were still dominated by UMNO were Pahang and Perles.
30:32Yes.
30:33And right now, Pahang and Sarawak are the only states which have not changed their political party in charge for the government since independence.
30:46And, of course, Pahang is the only UMNO-led state that hasn't changed hands since 1957.
30:55Yes.
30:55So, it shows the resiliency of the leadership in Pahang that we've managed to hold on to the state to this while.
31:04But there are threats.
31:06There are people willing to change that scoreboard.
31:09So, we have to do whatever it takes to defend Pahang and make sure that it stays in UMNO's hands.
31:17But to my mind, there's really no reason to change.
31:21Because I think the current Menteri Besar, my boss, is doing a fantastic job of managing the state.
31:27Okay.
31:28I mean, it would be different if we're all sleeping on the job.
31:30We don't do anything.
31:31We just stay at home and then let everything go down the drain, like you say.
31:37But, I mean, my boss is working hard.
31:41I mean, we're all working hard to advance the state.
31:45Sometimes it's a matter of, my boss always say it's a matter of performance versus perception.
31:54Sometimes perception trumps performance.
31:57Yes.
31:57You've been doing a good job.
31:58You're raising the revenue.
31:59You've been redistributing that revenue to the rakyat in terms of Bantuan Priyatin Pahang,
32:04giving aid to fishermen, agriculture, B40 group, students, and so on and so forth.
32:10But somehow, they create the perception that they are better.
32:14They're more so-called Islamic.
32:16I mean, the other side is saying they're so-called more Islamic.
32:19So, they deserve a chance to take charge of Pahang.
32:23But, you can't, I mean, that's not enough to go on to lead the state, right?
32:27Exactly.
32:27You have to have concrete plans in place.
32:29Exactly.
32:30Then you deserve to lead the state.
32:31But, they're just going on perception, telling everybody,
32:34you know, we're less Islamic and all that.
32:37But, that's not true.
32:38I think we've advanced the Islamic agenda in the state as much as anyone.
32:42For instance, we've built 37 mosques in Pahang.
32:47Okay.
32:47And then, we've introduced new Islamic laws, like, you know, laws to prevent deviant teachings.
32:57Yeah, that's really important.
32:58Udang-dang, tarikat, and so on and so forth.
33:00So, I think there's really no reason to change.
33:04But in the day, we have to control the narrative.
33:06We have to manage the perception of the state as best we can so that we remain as the state government,
33:14not for the sake of remaining in government, but so that we can give more back to the people.
33:20Okay, you know what?
33:22Before we end, I just got to ask this because you are the legacy, the son of our former Prime Minister,
33:30Datuk Srinajib Razak.
33:31That's right.
33:31So, I'm not going to touch on Datuk Srinajib, but I'm just going to ask you because nepotism has always been discussed.
33:38This is not about just politics.
33:40Like, business arena is also highly discussed about nepotism.
33:45Even, like, entertainment pun.
33:47Like, people talk about nepotism because anak, penyanyi, whatever.
33:49So, like, in terms of politics for you, how do you view your role within your family's legacy?
33:57And also, how do you think it has influenced your career?
34:00Because we do see your siblings are also politically active, I would say.
34:08But you're the first to ex-co.
34:11So, how is that for you?
34:14Right.
34:14When you talk about, you know, families with generations being involved in politics,
34:22some call it dynastic politics, others may cynically call it nepotism and whatnot,
34:27I think that phenomenon is by no means unique to Malaysia.
34:30You see it in Singapore, you see it in the US, you see it in Thailand, I will mention families and names.
34:38You see it in our other political parties as well.
34:41Exactly.
34:41BKR or PAS, or they all have the same, grappling with the same concept or perception.
34:50I think in my case, in my journey, I think politics wasn't forced upon me.
34:55My dad didn't say, Niza, at some point you have to go into politics.
34:59He let us decide for ourselves what we want to do.
35:03And I've always wanted to be in public service.
35:07And my dad, being my dad, didn't want me to join Headfirst into politics.
35:12So he wanted me to work in the private sector first, gain some experience.
35:17So, my dad's philosophy is that whilst he's still in charge of the party or holding a senior post in government,
35:26I shouldn't take advantage of that.
35:30So I was not allowed to contest in any UMNO post until we've lost in 2018.
35:39Only then I was allowed to be politically active.
35:43But by then we're not in government.
35:46I remember contesting the post of Ketua Pemuda Pekan, Pekan Youth Chief.
35:51We're already in opposition mood.
35:53There's no position to fight for.
35:59So you're really trying to get the party back on its feet.
36:05And in my plan to join public service, I didn't factor in many things.
36:11Like, I didn't factor in the fact that Varysad National would lose in 2018.
36:15That was a real shock for us.
36:16So I didn't factor in the fact that my dad will get into so much trouble,
36:22so much so that he's behind the iron curtains now.
36:25So that didn't occur to me at all.
36:29So sometimes life takes you through a different path.
36:32And I would say politics is not for everybody.
36:37I mean, in terms of the pressure you get, the expectations,
36:41in terms of the sacrifice you have to make,
36:43you know, leaving your family, not enough family time,
36:46and so on and so forth.
36:48In terms of the slander and backbiting,
36:50you have to face that that's par for the course.
36:54Occupational hazard.
36:55So it's not for everybody.
36:59And just because you come from a certain family, right,
37:02doesn't guarantee you success in public service or in political life.
37:07I mean, the name can only get you so far.
37:09Admittedly, it can give you a good start at the beginning
37:14because of the goodwill and all that.
37:15But after that, on your own, you have to...
37:17You have to prove.
37:18Actually, I think it's harder.
37:19You have to prove yourself even more, right?
37:21Yeah, very well.
37:22Like, you can't just...
37:23But you relish the challenge, lah.
37:25You do the best you can under circumstances.
37:28You want to serve and then you do your best
37:29and the rest you will leave it to Allah's Da'ala.
37:32Okay.
37:33All right.
37:33Just lastly, last one,
37:35because we're already talking about this.
37:37How was it for you personally
37:39to witness such public scrutiny
37:41that your father went through
37:43throughout the whole 1MDB
37:45and SRC
37:46and the court cases even now,
37:48until now?
37:49Like, how was it for you personally?
37:51And at one point,
37:53would you feel like this is just too much
37:55or macam mana?
37:57I mean, admittedly,
37:58it was very difficult for the family.
38:00I mean, to be...
38:02under that kind of public glare,
38:04scrutiny...
38:06I would say,
38:07at some point,
38:08humiliated by...
38:09by, you know,
38:11all the insults,
38:13accusations and all that.
38:15I think we have to
38:16take it into stride.
38:18I mean, we gather strength
38:19from my dad himself.
38:21I mean, he's such a
38:23resilient person.
38:24I mean,
38:25although he's dealing with
38:26a lot of challenges,
38:27court cases,
38:28what have you,
38:29you know,
38:30accumulated in public media
38:32and all that,
38:32but he's still very stoic,
38:35very calm
38:37and very patient
38:38in the face of adversity.
38:41Okay.
38:42So, we draw strength from that.
38:44And another thing is,
38:45there's still a lot of
38:46goodwill towards my dad.
38:48Okay.
38:48I mean, he's detractors,
38:50he's critics.
38:50They can call him whatever names.
38:52I can call him
38:52clap,
38:54tokrat,
38:54or orang jahat,
38:55or whatever.
38:55But you can't erase the good
38:57that you've done in the past.
38:59All right.
39:00But there's still a lot of
39:01Malaysians who still
39:02respect and love my dad
39:04for whatever he's done
39:05in the past.
39:06I mean, for instance,
39:07he's popular
39:07with the Indian community.
39:09Very, very.
39:10Even some leaders
39:11in the other political parties,
39:12they quietly say to me
39:13that,
39:14actually, your dad has done
39:15a lot for the
39:15Indian community.
39:17And for other Malaysians,
39:18for that matter,
39:19he's popular with
39:20the orang asli.
39:21Yeah.
39:22He's helped them a lot
39:23in the past,
39:23try to bring them
39:25the development agenda
39:26in Pekan and elsewhere
39:27in Malaysia.
39:28And he's popular
39:29with the Sabah Sarawak people
39:31for advancing the idea
39:33of Pan-Borneo Highway.
39:34Okay.
39:35And he's the primester
39:37who visited Sabah Sarawak
39:38the most
39:38during his
39:40tenure.
39:42And he's
39:43done a lot
39:45to try to bring down
39:46the cost of living
39:47while he was in charge.
39:49And the last puasa,
39:50I remember one
39:51one
39:53trader
39:55at the local
39:56bazaar in Pekan
39:56came up to me
39:57crying to say
39:58that, you know,
39:59under
40:00under Barisan
40:01National Government
40:02between 2009
40:05and 2018,
40:05they introduced
40:06BRIM.
40:07And from that
40:08BRIM allocation,
40:09she managed
40:09to start
40:11her
40:11own small
40:14catering business
40:15or trading
40:15business
40:16through that
40:17BRIM allocation
40:18which was used
40:19as seed money.
40:20Wow, okay.
40:21Yeah, so
40:22he's done
40:23a lot,
40:24he's abolished.
40:24ISA gave
40:25freedom of speech
40:26to some extent.
40:28There's still
40:28a lot of goodwill
40:29despite what
40:30these critics
40:31would say.
40:32So you're truly
40:32a bad person.
40:33I mean,
40:34you won't see
40:34all this goodwill.
40:36You won't see
40:37this kind of feedback,
40:38right?
40:38If it was truly bad,
40:39I think we'd be
40:39condemned universally
40:40around Malaysia.
40:41But that's not the
40:42case with my dad.
40:43So we draw
40:44strength from that.
40:45So we have to
40:46pick up
40:48from there,
40:49push forward.
40:50Okay,
40:50okay,
40:50just like,
40:51sorry,
40:52I just need
40:53big,
40:53I think a lot of people
40:54since you're talking
40:55about the support
40:56and heartwarming support,
40:57maybe they are wondering
40:59how is he doing
41:00this raya?
41:01This raya?
41:02Yeah.
41:03I mean,
41:03it's been
41:04a challenge.
41:07So it's
41:08probably
41:10the third
41:12raya
41:13behind the
41:15iron curtain.
41:15so he's still
41:17in good spirits.
41:18Yeah,
41:19still keeping fit.
41:20I mean,
41:20he's keeping himself
41:22busy too.
41:24In Kajang,
41:24he's pursuing
41:27his PhD
41:28in economic
41:29transformation.
41:31So that's
41:32always good for him.
41:32Keep his mind
41:33and discourse
41:34active.
41:35Adakah update?
41:35Berapa persen dah
41:36did asyap?
41:37Oh,
41:37you have to ask
41:38the researcher,
41:39but I'm told
41:40it's not far away.
41:41Okay,
41:41that sounds
41:42positive.
41:43Yeah,
41:43so he's keeping
41:45strong,
41:45keeping positive.
41:46So insya Allah,
41:47hopefully
41:47tight will turn.
41:49Okay.
41:50Do you have
41:51any final words
41:52before we end
41:52the session?
41:55For Pahang?
41:56For Pahang.
41:57For Pahang.
41:57For Dato' Sri Najib
41:59as well.
42:00So,
42:01final words,
42:03I think
42:03we all love
42:04Pahang State,
42:05so we want
42:05Pahang State
42:06to progress
42:07and live up
42:08to its potential.
42:09So,
42:10on that score,
42:11I think we need
42:12the help
42:12of many parties
42:13to advance
42:15the agenda.
42:16People,
42:16I mean,
42:16government servants,
42:18people in the public
42:19sector,
42:20the rakyat
42:21in negeri Pahang
42:22and also
42:24the private sector
42:26stakeholders
42:26who are willing
42:27to work
42:28with the state government
42:28to make sure
42:29Pahang reaches
42:31its economic goals
42:32and be
42:33one day
42:34an economic powerhouse
42:35in Malaysia.
42:36As for my dad,
42:40I pray that
42:41I think
42:41I'll start
42:42will make it easy
42:43for him.
42:43I think
42:43we do hope
42:45that he will be
42:46with the family
42:47in the near future.
42:49So,
42:50somehow,
42:50so,
42:51although the odds
42:51seem bleak
42:52right now,
42:53so,
42:54but you never know,
42:55I mean,
42:55things can change
42:57for the better
42:57when always
42:58optimistic
42:58and hopeful,
42:59insyaAllah.
43:00Okay,
43:00alright,
43:00thank you so much,
43:01Dato.
43:01I really appreciate
43:03you joining us today.
43:04I think we've spoken
43:05a lot of Pahang
43:06about politics,
43:06about progress.
43:07So,
43:08I'm really excited
43:09to see the future
43:10of Pahang.
43:11Likewise.
43:12I hope everyone
43:12listening can foresee
43:14like maybe
43:14diorong nak pindah
43:15Kuantan ke?
43:16Most welcome.
43:18We still have
43:19a relatively
43:19small population
43:21for such a big state
43:22in terms of landmass.
43:23So,
43:24only 1.6 million.
43:27Oh, wow.
43:28Okay.
43:29Even though the state
43:30is around 36 million
43:31square kilometers
43:32bigger state
43:33in New South Malaysia.
43:35It's relatively
43:35underpopulated.
43:36Okay.
43:37Plenty of scope
43:37for growth.
43:38You nak panggil
43:38orang
43:39migrate to Pahang?
43:43Yeah,
43:43why not?
43:43Why not?
43:44Especially with ECRL.
43:45Yeah,
43:45especially with ECRL,
43:46yes.
43:47I'm so excited
43:48for ECRL.
43:49I'm super excited.
43:50Can't wait.
43:51Alright,
43:51thank you so much.
43:51Thank you so much.
43:52I really appreciate it.
43:53I hope everyone
43:54enjoyed that conversation
43:55with Dato Niza.
43:57And I hope
43:58you guys like
43:59read through
44:00and check out
44:01all the projects
44:02that he has mentioned
44:03for your awareness.
44:05Thank you so much.
44:06Make sure you follow
44:07Sinar Daily
44:07on all our social media platforms.
44:09This is Top News Podcast
44:10and we're signing off.
44:11Bye!
44:12Bye.