Malaysia Day wish-list: Ban single-race parties, no racism, be fair

Malaysia Chronicle

As BN leaders showered the nation with flowery Malaysia Day messages, Pakatan Rakyat leaders called for the abolition of single-race political parties to prevent extremism and fascism from taking root.

They pointed to the examples set by Germany in the aftermath of World War II and more recently in Australia.

“It is telling that after 47 years the nation is still haunted by racial discord and the ruling regime remains dominated by a single-race party,” Batu MP Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Tian

“We are quite backwards in terms of our political practices. Because Malaysia is multiracial, political parties in this country must reflect the mix of ethnic groups. Then only can people feel a sense of confidence that their rights will not be betrayed by a larger group,” Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming told Malaysia Chronicle.

Proof of the pudding is in the eating

Meanwhile, PAS national unity chairman Mujahid Yusof Rawa reminded the people, especially Sabahans and Sarawakians, not to take the ‘sweetened’ words from the BN leaders for granted.

Nga

“Not that we want to split hairs but 16th September is recognized as Malaysia Day only after the rise of Pakatan Rakyat,” Mujahid, who is also the MP for Parit Buntar, told Malaysia Chronicle.

He also slammed Prime Minister Najib Razak for not taking a firmer hand in the recent outbreak of racism at schools, warning it could lead to further deterioration in race relations if not handled correctly.

“Until now, there is no update on the status of the probe undertaken by the Education ministry to resolve the issue currently and in the future. If nothing is done, it will be seen to be unfair. At the very least, BN needs to give a proper accounting to all Malaysians, otherwise what is there to celebrate Malaysia Day for,” added Mujahid.

Royal Commission for 20-points agreement

Mujahid

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang also took the federal government to task for ignoring the grouses of the East Malaysian people.

“The very fact that it has taken 47 years for Malaysia Day to be recognized officially as a national public holiday is testimony of why Sabahans and Sarawakians feel so aggrieved at not being accorded full and proper treatment as an integral part of Malaysia,” DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said in a statement.

He urged Najib to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to independently investigate the claims of Sabahans and Sarawakians that the 20-points agreement they entered into with the peninsula to form the Malaysian federation were still largely unfulfilled.

Kit Siang

“Najib should not come empty-handed to Sabah for the Malaysia Day celebrations but should use the occasion to announce policy decisions and measures to instill the spirit behind the declaration of Malaysia Day as a national public holiday into all aspects nation-building policies to give to Sabahans and Sarawakians their rightful dues as equal citizens of Malaysia," said Kit Siang.

"This is the best and opportune occasion for Najib to announce a Royal Commission of Inquiry to assess the success or shortfalls into the 20 Points Agreement to address the root causes of grievances of the people of Sabah and Sarawak in the past five decades."