Parti Bersama Malaysia co-leader Rafizi Ramli urged voters to move beyond programmes facilitating the needs of a certain community and embrace a system that would truly aid the needy, regardless of racial background.
He said this in response to a question by a participant during a Bersama event.
The participant asked what Bersama would do to assist the Indian community if it came into power.
“I know you may not like my answer, but this is what I believe. First of all, we need to change this culture of people having to ‘beg’ (apply for assistance). The needy should get assistance automatically.
“A poor Indian family doesn’t need a special programme to prove that they are needy… the same goes for the poor Chinese, Malay, or whoever who is struggling.
“The government’s focus should not be on who is the loudest in championing a particular community’s plight, but ensuring those in need really get assisted.
“And we (Bersama) want to flatten this. Let’s move… if you require assistance, you will get it,” Rafizi said in a Facebook video.
Also present during the event was fellow Bersama co-leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Having said that, Rafizi stated that he sympathised with the plight of minorities, adding that they often had to make several appeals before getting any assistance.
The former economy minister stressed that he understood their situation, as he grew up poor in Terengganu.
“I’ve been in that position, which is from a working-class family. The last thing we want is to ‘beg’.
“If we deserve something, give it to us automatically,” he said.
All about data
Offering solutions, Rafizi said it all boils down to gathering the right data and the government’s political will to execute the policies.
“The question is, does the government even have the full information on all households in Malaysia?
“(Data on)… who is in need, who is disabled, how many children is one family sustaining, who is sick?
“The answer is no. We tried getting this data using the Central Database Hub, although some people got angry,” the former PKR MP added.
Rafizi added that possessing the right information will help remove all political arguments regarding providing aid, as the government will have a verified source of reference.
He said previous governments had refused to resolve the matter out of fear.
“They fear that this or that fellow might get angry, but the government must have courage.
“We hope Bersama has the courage; I have the courage to point it out,” he added. - Mkini
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