Mustaffa slams DPM for race card, Umno for Sabah casino land

Mustaffa - popular and affable leader

Malaysia Chronicle

PKR deputy presidential candidate Mustaffa Kamil Ayub slammed Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin for playing a “dangerous” racial-politicking game, while the DPM’s Umno party was quietly giving away land in Sabah for a casino to be built.

“Umno is the one who is swindling and violating the Malay rights and the interests of Malaysians. At the same time they are playing the racial card to gather support. This is a dangerous approach and we in PKR strongly reject such tactics,” Mustaffa told Malaysiakini in an interview.

“PKR will not be trapped in racial politics. We feel the need for justice and equality for all. If there are poor Malays, Chinese, Indians, or Kadazan Dusun or Ibans, we should help them regardless of race.”

Don't for the sake of politics play the race card

The affable Mustaffa is one of three PKR leaders who have so far declared their intention to go for the No. 2 post. He has garnered 17 nominations versus FT chief Zaid Ibrahim’s 38 and Azmin’s 102.

Two other PKR bigwigs – Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and Batu MP Tian Chua – will only announce their decisions on Sunday.

Mustaffa, who was formerly Muhyiddin’s political secretary, had resigned in the aftermath of the sacking of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim from Umno in 1998 by former premier Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir's move had split the Malay community down the line.

While Mustaffa had some good memories of Muhyiddin, he also expressed disappointment at his former boss’s political transformation.

“I criticise my former boss in using racial sentiments. Even the feeling of those staying in the Felda and Felcra schemes, which were once Umno's stronghold, have also changed. Muhyiddin probably feels that as long as the Malays can be manipulated to fear other races, they would turn to Umno who stand as protectors of the Malay and Islamic agenda," said Mustaffa.

"Muhyiddin is always touching on Malay sentiments as if the rights of Malays are being challenged. He may be feeling that the Malays should be made fearful of Pakatan Rakyat, which has been successful in itself in bringing the races together by working together. The reality is the Malays cannot be cheated, as the racial card cannot be used any more in Malaysian politics to ensure Umno's survival.”