National interest supersedes racial rights, Khairy tells BN

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin told Barisan Nasional leaders today that fighting for national interest was more important than promoting the rights of a single race, pointing out that it did not make a person less Malay, Chinese or Indian.

The outspoken Rembau MP issued this reminder to all BN politicians here today, pointing out that it was their duty as leaders of a diverse nation to place national interests above everything in their struggles.

He acknowledged however that this was a difficult task for BN leaders to observe, especially when faced with pressure from members within their own component parties.

“It is definite that when there is a racially sensitive issue being debated, every component party that represents the different races, like Umno, MCA and MIC, faces pressures from their own respective members.

“But what is important, what I often remind my comrades in all component parties, is that we need to look at national interest first as a means to solve all our problems,” he said in a press conference after attending the opening ceremony of the MCA Youth annual general meeting here this moring.

Khairy insisted that by prioritising national interest, it did not mean that the leaders were no longer championing the interests of their respective races.

“It does not mean that I no longer want to fight for Malay rights, or that (MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr) Wee Ka Siong no longer cares about the Chinese.

“Of course, our priority as party leaders in Umno, MCA or MIC is to uphold the rights of these races, but the main and most important priority above everything is how to solve all problems based on national interest... in a manner that our rights as Malays, Chinese or Indians do not clash with national interest,” he stressed.

Khairy pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was a sterling example of a leader who placed national interest above everything when solving the nation’s problems.

“As youth leaders, we must use this approach... we must be radical but from the center, become radical moderates,” he said.

Khairy, who earlier received high praise from MCA leaders for being a “moderate”, reminded BN leaders that their political power did not come from one race alone.

“We have to present the message of moderation clearly and efficiently to the masses... it is not an easy message to understand because we know that many voters are influences by extreme views but we need to be reminded that we live in a diverse country.

“Our political power comes from all races... one party will not win the general election by getting the support of one community alone.

“That is why we need to ensure that our cries for moderation drowns out the call fo extremism,” he said.

Khairy added that he felt “moved” by the support given to him by Wee and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, noting that this showed unity among BN leaders.

“I hope this cooperation will be tightened because when we face the general election later, we will not be standing as Umno or MCA leaders, we will be contesting on a BN ticket so we need to move as one,” he said.

In his opening address at the AGM, Wee said that MCA Youth respects and supports leaders like Najib, Khairy and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz for being moderates.

“They have the interests of the people and the country at heart, and with such leaders, our country will have hope,” he said.

Liow, in his speech, also commended Khairy for his success in leading the BN Youth Lab and in giving his undivided support to Najib’s brainchild 1 Malaysia.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider