ALL MAHATHIR NEEDS TO DO IS TO STOP PLAYING TO UMNO & PAS’ GAME – YET HE & HIS BERSATU MEN LIKE MASZLEE, REDZUAN & SYED SADDIQ ARE PROVOKING ONE RACIAL ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER: IT’S GREED FOR POWER PUSHING UP THE USE OF RACIAL POLITICS – WAN SAIFUL ADMITS

Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan is the latest to lend his voice to the chorus of concern over the state of race relations in Malaysia.

Speaking at the National Economic Forum 2019 in Kuala Lumpur today, he pinned the blame on politicians who are seeking power without considering the consequences of their actions.

“The reality is… ethnic relations have been heavily politicised these days and this is a really worrying direction.

“We have a situation where there are politicians who have no qualms in dividing the country further in order to have a chance to retain or to win power. This is the wrong direction,” he said.

Wan Saiful was one of the panellists at a session titled “Malaysia’s Future – What Should the Government Do?” together with MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong and deputy secretary-general of the Young Entrepreneurs Committee of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCIM) Ng Yih Pyng.

The academic-turned politician said he is concerned that many are talking about ethnic relations at present but not discussing this issue in a rational and calm manner.

Wan Saiful said politicians, on the other hand, have a responsibility to be more rational and measured about this issue as their remarks could either unite or divide the nation.

“At the moment, unfortunately, the strategy is to divide the country further in order for certain groups to win.

“This is not what we fought for in the last election. We fought under the banner of unity, (so) we should remain united, remember that and make sure it happens,” he added.

Wan Saiful stressed that those in the opposition have the same responsibility on their shoulders as well.

“Remember, this country is not just about us politicians, this country is much bigger than that.

“You on the opposition side need to make sure that if you win, you want to inherit a united country, not a divided and broken country.

“So be responsible in what we debate today and how we debate that,” he added.

– M’kini