MIC urges BN to go solo, slams PAS' 'racial rhetoric'

 

N SEMBILAN POLLS | MIC president SA Vigneswaran has urged BN to consider contesting solo in the upcoming state election following statements by PAS leaders that allegedly offend non-Malay communities.

He said that repeated remarks by certain PAS leaders touching on racial and religious sensitivities not only complicate political cooperation but also undermine BN’s efforts to win over a multi-ethnic electorate.

“When BN continues to be linked with such narratives, it becomes difficult for us.

“That is why it is better for BN to stand on its own strength to defend the principle of moderation,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

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Vigneswaran was commenting on a speech by Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor at a ceramah last night, in which he claimed: “Chinese have China, Indians have India, Malays only have Tanah Melayu”.

Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor

“Malays have no other land. Malays only have this Tanah Melayu. Indians have India, Chinese have China, Cambodians have Cambodia, Siamese have Thailand. Where are the Malays? Malays are only here,” Sanusi said, arguing that other races have other homelands unlike the Malays.

‘What about Indonesians, Orang Asli?’

Condemning the Kedah menteri besar’s remarks, Vigneswaran reminded PN leaders not to treat Chinese and Indian Malaysians as foreigners.

“We are not citizens of India or China; we are Malaysians. This is our homeland, and our loyalty is only to this country and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Political approaches that intentionally play up racial sentiments only divide the people. No party should try to draw a line as if one group is ‘more Malaysian’ than others.

“A person’s loyalty to the country is not judged by skin colour or ancestral lineage, but through citizenship and sense of responsibility to the homeland,” he stressed.

Vigneswaran also questioned the logic behind Sanusi’s statement by comparing the status of other communities in the country.

“Using the same argument, do Indonesians here also want to be considered part of Indonesia? What about the position of the Orang Asli community?

“Such narratives make no sense at all in a country built on the foundation of citizenship,” he said.

Take a cue from Amanah

Elaborating further, Vigneswaran compared PAS' political approach to that of Amanah, which he viewed as far more inclusive and mature in championing its Islamic agenda.

“PAS should take a leaf from Amanah.

“Although both carry Islamic aspirations, Amanah does not issue statements that hurt the feelings of Chinese and Indian Malaysians. That is why Amanah is more easily accepted by a multi-ethnic society,” he added.

He said that if PAS genuinely intends to be a relevant party at the national level, it must stop divisive rhetoric and start learning to respect Malaysia’s racial diversity. - Mkini