Pakatan Harapan needs to take on the race debate or it will lose ground to the combined forces of Umno and PAS, says Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Speaking at a press conference today, Mahathir defended recent controversial statements by Education Minister Maszlee Malik, and stressed that talking about racial issues did not mean one was being racist.
“He (Maszlee) spoke a little about race, this does not mean he is racist," he said.
“In our party (Bersatu), many people talk about race. Those with Indian heritage will talk about the Indians, the Chinese from DAP will talk about the Chinese, the Malays will talk about the Malays, the Ibans about the Ibans and the Kadazans about the Kadazans.
“But they are all Malaysians, you cannot question their nationality. Race is different."
Mahathir was asked to respond to calls for Maszlee to be removed from his position for defending the cabinet’s decision to retain the quota system in the pre-university matriculation programme.
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson also said that the pull of Umno and PAS on Malays has to be countered.
“The problem is if you (want) to win the support of the bumiputera.
"And now it has become important because Umno dan PAS have joined forces and are using race and religion to win support.
“If we do not explain our position on race, I think we will lose in elections,” he predicted.
[More to follow] - Mkini
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