Bersatu's newest recruit Wan Saiful Wan Jan was yesterday grilled over his views on the Malay agenda.

While the prominent academician has not been viewed as a Malay nationalist, he has adopted a more pragmatic than idealistic approach on the topic following his entry into politics.

This did not sit well with a member of the audience at a forum titled "Trends in the Malay electorate: The urban vote" in Kuala Lumpur who expressed his disappointment with Wan Saiful and the opposition.

"I am just concerned that you are still talking about the Malay agenda, what about Malaysian agenda?" asked Andrew Phang, a member of the audience.

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Phang lamented that his children had "no future" in the country, complaining about the marginalisation of other races.

Wan Saiful, the sole speaker at the forum, said he shared Phang's sentiment.

"I share your sentiment, I met people who said that they want their children to have a better future and sent them abroad. So many had said that, it's really sad.

"I really feel we have to change that. I stayed in United Kingdom for 19 years. I had a choice of not coming back to Malaysia nine years ago, but I came back," he said.

However, Wan Saiful pointed out that the Malay agenda remained relevant and any change would come slowly.

"When I was with the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), I would be thinking of how to reform the Malay minds so that they dod not depend on the Malay agenda.

"But now, having entered party politics, I am more or less resigned to the fact that the reform you are talking about is not going to happen in my lifetime as this is in the constitutional provision," he said.

Wan Saiful said while Pakatan Harapan must maintain its idealism, it also needs to prioritise the reforms that it can push through.

"We need to prioritise and make sure our ultimate aim is achieved first, otherwise we will lose everything," he explained.

He said among the reforms that can be implemented are separating the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor, having an independent judiciary and media, improving the quality of life, education and healthcare, as well as preventing the divisive religious politics.

As such, Wan Saiful said it would be politically foolish to take on Malay agenda only to scuttle other reform efforts.

"I will be so foolish to say that I can do this. If you expect me to do that, I am afraid you will be disappointed.

"Imagine, if anyone of you is going to say the Malay agenda needs to be reformed, it will create chaos in the country," he said.

He added that considering the political realities, no political party will push for such an agenda.

Earlier, the Wan Saiful, who is Bersatu policy and strategy bureau deputy chief, said the New Economic Model and 1Malaysia ideology had failed due to the lack of political will.