Bersatu should not be likened to Umno or be branded as racist for defending Malay rights, said its secretary-general Marzuki Yahya.
According to him, the fundamental difference between the two parties is that Bersatu abhors corruption and does not support a leader who has been charged with graft.
"One of the biggest difference is our support for the leadership. If we are like Umno, we will support Najib Abdul Razak.
“We condemn corruption, cronyism, non-transparency and stealing money. This alone makes us different. Defending Malay rights does not make us racist. We defend the rights of all Malaysians," he told Malaysiakini.
Marzuki was responding to Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy (photo) who criticised Bersatu for supporting the previous government's policy on the quota for matriculation studies - 90 percent for Malays and 10 percent for non-Malays.
The DAP leader said this does not reflect Pakatan Harapan's new Malaysia.
Marzuki, who is also deputy home minister, said Ramasamy has the right to express his views but should refrain from questioning Bersatu's principles since Bersatu does not question DAP's.
"What we are doing is only right for Malaysia. Let us discuss the matter first before issuing such statements.
"When he (Ramasamy) is defending Indian students on the matriculation issue, does it mean DAP is like MIC?" he asked.
Marzuki urged Ramasamy to think before making statements that can affect the ties among the Harapan allies.
Contacted later, Ramasamy declined to comment, saying he would wait for the outcome of the meeting in Putrajaya today to discuss the matriculation issue. - Mkini
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