'Channel goat instead of tiger', Zahid tells Sanusi to steer clear of race, religion

 

N SEMBILAN POLLS | BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has told Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor not to play up racial and religious issues while campaigning for the Negeri Sembilan polls, further urging him to stay in his own state.

It was reported that the deputy prime minister sarcastically said although there might be "a tiger in his chest", only "a goat" should come out of Sanusi's mouth.

“If his intention is to demonstrate unity among the people, there is no need to touch on ethnicity, religion, culture or the different backgrounds of other communities in this country.

“I believe the diversity of our people and their different backgrounds are part of the natural order determined by God. So, there is no need to raise such matters,” Zahid (above, left) was quoted as saying by Astro Awani.

“If they (Perikatan Nasional) wish to be friends, then behave like friends instead of touching on other issues. We have six days left until Saturday, and I think it would be better for him to keep himself busy governing Kedah.

“There is no need to come to Negeri Sembilan. Let us manage Negeri Sembilan in our own way,” Zahid said at the Salam Agrikomoditi Madani programme at Dataran Melang in Kuala Pilah today.

He added that Sanusi’s speeches might be suitable for the people of Kedah but should not be brought to Negeri Sembilan, as they could invite different interpretations and cause unease in a multiracial society.

Growing backlash

Yesterday, MIC president SA Vigneswaran urged BN to consider contesting future state elections on its own following remarks by PAS leaders that allegedly offended non-Malay communities.

MIC president SA Vigneswaran

Vigneswaran said certain PAS leaders touching on racial and religious sensitivities not only complicated political cooperation but also undermined BN’s efforts to win the support of multiracial voters.

Sanusi, who is PN election director, had claimed during a joint BN-PN ceramah in Jempol two days ago that Malay political power and economic control were being increasingly eroded.

He warned that they risked disappearing entirely within 10 years unless drastic changes were made.

Sanusi also stressed that Malaysia was the only homeland and refuge for the Malays, just as other countries had their own indigenous communities.

“Malays have no other land. Malays only have this Tanah Melayu. Indians have India, Chinese have China, Cambodians have Cambodia, and the Siamese have Thailand. Where do the Malays go? Malays are only here,” Sanusi told an audience of more than 300 people.

This drew the ire of PKR and DAP lawmakers who then pressed BN component MCA to state its stand over the BN-PN cooperation for the Negeri Sembilan polls. - Mkini