Zahid cozies up to non-Malays ahead of GE14

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today painted himself as colour blind towards the non-Malay communities, as the next general election looms.

In a speech marking the 35th anniversary of non-profit education institutions Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), Zahid played up his personal friendships with the Indians and Chinese among those in attendance.

He also reminisced about those with whom he had used to work.

"When I was a businessman, my secretary was a Punjabi girl... My accountant and auditor was Bala and Co.

"I am Malay, but I value friendships... I am colour blind; this is the proof," Zahid said toward the end of his speech.

Colour blindness was a repeated theme throughout his speech, which also touched on education and social mobility.

On the subject of education, Zahid said race should not be a factor, and that schooling of Malaysians was a government priority to ensure "vertical social mobility."

He promised to bring the SMC's wishes for improved education chances for Indians to the cabinet soon, besides allocating RM3 million to the institution.

'Chinese, Indians also poor'

Zahid added that he has been appointed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to head a cabinet committee to eradicate urban poverty.He said apart from Umno ministers, the committee also comprised MCA president Liow Tiong Lai, MIC leaders Dr S Subramaniam, S Devamany and P Kamalanathan, as well as Gerakan member J Loga Bala Mohan.

"This is because urban poverty is not only among Malays, it is also among the Indians and Chinese.

"I'm really colour blind in eradicating urban poverty," the Umno de facto number two said.

BN is currently in election mode, although Najib has yet to announce when the poll will be held.- Mkini