Anwar Can’t Understand Why Umno Cannot Support DAP

“They must be specific. They disagree on DAP on what?”

(The Star) – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call to reject cooperation with anyone collaborating with DAP is a racist statement, says PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said instead of condemning DAP generally, Ahmad Zahid must pinpoint exactly what he and his party disagreed with regarding DAP.

“It is a clearly racist argument, and you should be able to work (with anyone).

“To me, to meet (the goals of) the country, you must be able to work with any Malaysian or any political party which shares the same principles and ideals.

“They must be specific. They disagree on DAP on what?

“They cannot just generalise and condemn the party over principles. I have worked with DAP, and I have no problem with that,” said Anwar.

He was commenting on the statement by Ahmad Zahid on July 24 that Umno and PAS have made a pact which agreed to reject DAP completely, as well as anyone who had any dealings with DAP.

Anwar was speaking to The Star after a closed-door session on “Nation Building” organised by the Asean Strategy and Leadership Institute here on Thursday (July 25).

He said the crowd at the session were also concerned about the Umno-PAS propaganda.

“The crowd expressed concerns with Umno and PAS, and the future of the country.

“I said, look, we must start with good, positive habits from the heart for good governance, for democracy, for freedom, for accountability.

“Unless we have these in place and the rule of law, we will not be able to move forward.

“If we have these in place, we can counter the PAS and Umno propaganda,” said Anwar.

He did not elaborate on what the “propaganda” was.

On July 24, Umno President Ahmad Zahid alleged that DAP ministers in the Pakatan Harapan Cabinet were championing the “Malaysian Malaysia” concept in a “smooth implementation” through policies.

Umno and PAS have agreed to formalise a pact on Sept 14 in the interests of Malay and Muslim unity, paving the way for a political cooperation in the next general election.