Azwan: Support for DAP may further alienate Chinese

UMNO AGM Continued support for DAP may actually backfire and further alienate the Chinese community, warned Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun.

In his speech at the Umno Youth general assembly today, Azwan gave a scenario where continued support for DAP may actually result in Umno and other Sabah and Sarawak bumiputera parties dominating the government after the 14th general election.

If this happens, it is likely that the interest of the dominant race would take precedence.

“Imagine if that happens, there will be strong pressure, for example, to decrease focus on Chinese vernacular schools.

“Maybe there will be urgings to just get rid of Chinese schools altogether. We already hear such urgings more frequently,” Azwan said.

He added that if the DAP narrative continues to get support, strategic sectors may be moved out of opposition-held states to those controlled by the government.

As such, he said if the “Chinese chauvinist” party continues to get support, BN should consider reviewing the spirit of cooperation among its component parties, especially on the “status quo and social contract”.

Azwan also said that he would not hesitate to urge the government to retract allocations, contracts, and aid given to those who continue to “berdegil (be stubborn)” against BN’s inclusive spirit.

These allocations he said, can instead be given to religious schools or a bumiputera economic fund.

The Umno Youth number two urged BN component parties to share responsibility, work, and risks faced by the government especially in the next general election.

“Component parties shouldn’t only want to play safe, and contest in safe seats, as well as continue programmes as if to protect Chinese interests which without them realising, is actually counter-productive.

“If the more they give to Chinese schools, the more the Chinese will not support or vote for us, then it is counterproductive,” he said.

His speech comes as Umno begins beating its war drums in preparation for the next elections, with party president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak telling them to get ready for polls.- Mkini