INTERVIEW | Race-based political parties are not the norm the world over - but Malaysia has bucked the trend, allowing political groups to form on the basis of identities such as race, religion and geographical region.
Even though the trend in recent times has seen a move away from such potentially exclusionary and divisive ideas, mono-racial parties like Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Pejuang are still being formed.
Given its racial-driven ideology, Malaysiakini asked a new generation of Bersatu Youth leaders whether it is racist to be part of a grouping like Bersatu.
“We can’t deny the fact that, for the umpteenth year, we’ve been moved forward by a Malay-centric party and the only unity is a ‘gabungan’ (coalition) of parties - for example, BN.
“Because of that, the impact that it has had on the Malay psyche is that it should be ‘us, and us alone in moving the country forward’.
“But obviously, there is a change in wants and needs of the people in this generation,” Negeri Sembilan Bersatu Youth leader Danni Rais explained.
Also present was Bersatu Youth exco member Harris Rashid Idaham (above, right).
Harris urged doubters to look at the party constitution, adding that it was fighting for bumiputeras instead of just Malays, and said that the formation of the party’s associate members wing was a “a step in the right direction”.
“Are we trying to change it from the outside? No, we’re trying to change it from the inside. If you want to label us as racists, then by all means, we’re actually trying,” said the trained lawyer.
He noted that party deputy youth chief Ceasar Mandela Malakun, for example, is a Christian within the predominantly Malay-Muslim party.
“So, yeah, are we racist? We’re not racist. We’re just trying to change it from a different angle,” Harris added.
Bersatu was formed in 2016 amid an exodus of leaders from scandal-tainted Umno over the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB case.
Its founding members included the likes of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir and former Umno member Anina Saadudin.
Party roots
Umno rebel group Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) chairperson Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman and former Bendang Baru Umno Youth chief Akhramsyah Sanusi were also part of its formation.
Following its set-up, an electoral pact between the party and Pakatan Harapan was soon hashed out with the intention of battling the then-ruling coalition BN.
The 14th general election saw Bersatu on the winning side of the “war” - and being part of a new government. This came in connection with the Sheraton Move.
But it has lost its key positions one by one and now and many are questioning the party’s ability to stand out from its similar Malay-based rivals - Umno, PAS and Pejuang.
Integrating non-bumiputera members
While Bersatu is open to all bumiputeras - which includes Malays, the Orang Asli as well as Sabah and Sarawak natives - other races can also join the political party, but as associate members.
However, Bersatu’s associate members possess no right to vote and they would also not be able to contest for posts.
Bersatu defector Edmund Santhara Kumar Ramanaidu was one of the party’s most notable associate members and its first wing chairperson before he left for Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) recently.
Chong Fat Full is now the associate members’ wing chairperson.
Danni - who is also the son of Bersatu leader Rais Yatim - said that having the wing meant the party would not be just a purebred Malay party.
“It’s a step in the right direction, albeit one step at a time. We also know that when you look overall, many Malays out there want to allow other people (non-Malays) to come in. I think this is a step closer in terms of unity, for moving forward.
“For example, Umno is a pure Malay party, but we are stepping in the right direction by allowing non-bumi members to join the frame.
“Personally, I am very excited about this because you don’t know where this will move on to… I mean, it’s not going to be a multiracial party tomorrow but it is a gradual change and I think that is super exciting,” Danni added. - Mkini
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