Let’s work on Bangsa Malaysia, says PKR man

'All we need is the right message from politicians and the proper upbringing of children.'

PKR’s Dr Afif Bahardin says ‘there is no such thing as a second class citizen’ in Malaysia. (Bernama pic)

Afif Bahardin.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin has called for renewed efforts to raise a Bangsa Malaysia worthy of the so-called new Malaysia.

He told FMT he believed the task was not as difficult as some people might think, requiring only commitment from politicians to constantly articulate the need for parents to bring up their children to think of the nation as a happy blend of cultures.

“It’s a matter of sending out the right message,” he said. “People will accept such a message from our leaders and run along with it.”

Afif, who is deputy chief of PKR Youth, spoke of himself as being among the “majority of Malaysians” who already think of themselves as belonging to the Malaysian race.

He said: “I come from Shah Alam, a middle-class Malay-majority area. I went to Mara Junior Science College, where Bumiputeras go. I went to UiTM, which is the last bastion of a very Malay education.

“Yet I am in a multiracial party. Why? Because I believe this is the kind of Malay leaders we need in Malaysia. We need to be multiracial individuals, believing in the concept of Bangsa Malaysia.

“That is how we can progress in the new Malaysia.

“Yes, I am a Malay Muslim leader and I will defend Malay rights, but we must be just and fair to the other citizens of Malaysia. There is no such thing as a second class citizen.”

He acknowledged that there were still pockets of Malaysians who feared racial marginalisation and alleged that some politicians were still trying to capitalise on the fear.

They should instead be concerned with the income gap, he said. “The issue in Malaysia is the issue of class. The wealth gap is too big and is widening. It really does not matter whether you are Malay, Chinese or Indian. There are those who too rich and those who are too poor.”

Afif also spoke of the need for the Pakatan Harapan government to regain the trust of the people, which he said was eroded by the former administration.

However, he added: “We have, at least, gained back the respect of the people, even if we haven’t completely gained back their trust.”

Afif, a physician specialising in ear, nose and throat health, joined PKR in 2009 although he has been active in politics since 1998, when the Reformasi movement was launched.

He told FMT he harboured a wish to return to medical practice.

“The thing I really miss the most is performing surgeries,” he said. “It’s not that I like to cut people up, but performing surgery to me is like painting. It sharpens your skills because you have do it with focus and passion.

“If anything happens to me in the political sphere, or if I don’t go any further, I might go back to medical practice because it is my first love.” -FMT