Learn from Trump, Malaysian Minister tells ruling Barisan Nasional

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian tourism and culture minister Nazri Aziz has told ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) to take a page out of US president Donald Trump’s campaign strategy.

In a report by The Star, Mr Nazri said Mr Trump had won because American voters wanted leaders who focus on bread and butter issues rather than national ones.

“The local communities wanted to be noticed and they wanted the government to work for them. People are not interested in national issues. Instead, they want a government that works for them.

“That’s why Trump won, because Americans are just fed up with their past presidents who seem to be very intellectual but don’t go down to the ground,” he was quoted saying.

Mr Trump won the US presidential election late last year, ahead of Democratic candidate and favourite Ms Hillary Clinton.

After Mr Trump’s shock win on November 8, Barisan Nasional chairman Najib Razak had said the magnate’s appeal to Americans who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that have proven to run counter to US interests — have resulted in his victory.

During Mr Najib’s official visit in September, Mr Trump also expressed his country’s gratitude for Malaysia’s continued partnership that has now spanned six decades.

Mr Nazri suggested that BN had failed to address certain issues, causing the Opposition to take advantage of the situation.

“For example, when an Indian temple was destroyed in Selangor and it wasn’t addressed properly, certain sections of the Malaysian community felt disenfranchised.”

“So, where do they go? In short, anybody who is willing to take up their issues will get their support and that’s what happened in the general election in 2008,” he was quoted saying. MALAY MAIL ONLINE