Razak Baginda schools Umno critic TK Chua

PETALING JAYA: Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda has reminded Umno critics that it is Barisan Nasional (BN) that competes for seats during general elections, not any of its component parties.

He was responding to an opinion piece written by TK Chua entitled “Wake up! Do not define racism so simplistically.”

Chua wrote that the nation may have started on the “wrong footing” at the time of independence, when political parties based on race were first established.

“After independence, these ‘racial parties’ led by Umno became the ruling parties, first as Alliance and later as Barisan Nasional,” Chua said. “These same parties have governed this country till today. My question is: Why didn’t these parties, particularly Umno, de-racialise themselves when they had all the time and power in the world to do so?”

Speaking to FMT, Razak said he believed Chua was comparing Umno with the opposition parties and, in effect, “comparing oranges and lemons”.

“During general elections,” he said, “Umno doesn’t stand for elections. BN does. Most coalitions are formed after an election, but BN is a coalition existing before elections.

“A Malay guy isn’t going to vote for MCA. He’s going to vote for BN. A Chinese guy is not going to vote for Umno, but he may vote for BN.

“BN is a truly multiracial coalition because it has got all the components there, including parties for the Kadazan.”

He said Chua’s statement that Umno was not fighting for all Malaysians just went to prove that he did not understand the nature of Malaysian politics.

“When you ask why Umno is not multiracial, then you simply don’t understand the nature of politics in this country.

“It’s like asking ‘Why doesn’t durian taste like curry?’ Umno was formed for the Malays, period. BN was formed to fight for everyone.”

Razak accused Chua of failing to be objective, saying he attempted to defend “parties which are trying to be multiracial”.

“He’s attacking Umno, but he’s saying, ‘Don’t criticise parties which are trying to be multiracial.’ Obviously, he was talking about the opposition.

“Why is it that when people make political comments, they always take a side? Why can’t political analysts and political observers be objective?

“And it’s never a zero-sum game. If I criticise A, it doesn’t mean I’m for B or vice versa.”

He also said the term “racism” was being misconstrued by most Malaysians.

“Just because Umno is a party which champions only the Malays, that doesn’t make it a racist party. It’s just like claiming PAS is anti-Christian. It’s not. It’s just a party representing Muslims. Similarly, you cannot call an all-Christian party anti-Islam.” -FMT