PKR VP tells Najib to withdraw threat to Chinese voters

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — PKR vice-president N. Surendran has told Datuk Seri Najib Razak to respect the basic principles of democracy and withdraw his “threat” to the Chinese community to vote in MCA in the coming general elections.

“Unable to win over Chinese voters by persuasive argument or by just policies, he now resorts to open threats and intimidation.

“Najib’s statement is evidence of racial politicking of the worst kind. It is proof positive that the biggest obstacle to national unity in Malaysia is the Barisan Nasional and its parochial policies,” he said in a statement today.

Surendran (picture) was responding to the PM’s words to the Chinese community yesterday, telling them they must choose to vote in MCA if they still wanted to represented in Putrajaya, or be left out.

He said the statement undermines and subverts Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy.

Najib, who is also Umno and the ruling BN coalition’s chief, said its Chinese partner had sent out a clear message to voters that they cannot have it both way.

“I see the MCA sending the message that the Chinese cannot support the opposition and at the same time expect strong representation in the government. They have to choose,” he was reported as saying by state news agency, Bernama.

Najib pointed to MCA president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s pledge that the Chinese party would not accept any post in the federal and state governments if it scored worse in the coming 13th general elections.

Surendran said the PM “has by his own words finally proven that his much promoted 1 Malaysia concept is little more than an opportunistic sham”.

The lawyer said the federal government must understand it stands for everyone and not just a select section of society.

He challenged Najib to withdraw immediately his message and to put in law the Restoration of Democracy Act (RDA), which had been mooted by the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact for public benefit.

The RDA was one of the key policies the PR had promised to carry out once they take over Putrajaya.

Among the main points are to restore local government elections and abolish emergency declarations.

Surendran also noted that Dr Chua has been silent in the face of Najib’s “outrageous threat” to the nation.

“MCA and its leaders simply have no courage or moral backbone,” he said, and added that was why the Chinese had deserted the BN’s Chinese party.

Dr Chua is expected to call for a press conference later today.