Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has vowed that the government will aid all former elected representatives who are currently living in poverty, regardless of their political background.

His promise was in response to Former Elected Representatives Council (Mubarak) president Abdul Aziz Rahman who had asked him about assistance for Mubarak members who currently receive a monthly pension of RM3,000 and below.

“InsyaAllah, pray that the economy recovers, we will do something good,” Ahmad Zahid said in his speech at a groundbreaking ceremony of Wisma Mubarak in Sentul today.

And this, he added, was not an offer for former elected representatives from Barisan Nasional only.

“Remember, when it comes to pensioners, their former elected representatives are eligible, too. Don't think that the government only fights for one side only.

“The government is fair to all quarters, InsyaAllah to all former elected representatives whether from the government or not,” he said.

He admitted that while some of their views may be antagonistic at times, opposition representatives have also made their contribution, one way or another.

'Old books should keep quiet'

Meanwhile, Zahid told the audience present today that they should not solely rely on nostalgia to win over the youth.

First-time voters, he said, do not buy nostalgia, and prefer something new for their future.

But he also reminded that the new generation would not be here if it weren't for their elders.

“The new ones must respect the old ones while the old must love the new,” he said.

Without mentioning names, Zahid added that ‘old books’ should keep quiet when they are placed at a higher position, and should not disturb those who are below.

“What more if the book fell by itself and then gets trampled but scolds others for stepping on it,” he said, to laughter from the audience.

The Y, Z and Alpha generations somewhat comprise ‘kacang yang lupakan kulit’ (those who forget their roots), added Zahid, citing a Malay idiom.

“They disregard everything that has happened previously and they kick and hit the past as though it is trash. We shouldn't have such attitudes.

“That's why when we have a vast experience and we can adapt with the Gen Y, Z and Alpha, we would of course be considered as relevant,” he added.

He also used the rear-view mirror in cars as an analogy to illuminate the importance of history.

“If they (drivers) don't use mirrors, they would bang into something. That is the mirror of history which cannot be denied,” he said.