Don’t exploit racial issues to gain support, Anwar reminds parties

 The prime minister says racial tactics are often used when political parties find themselves in desperate situations.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaking at the Malaysia Chinese cultural festival in Klebang, Melaka, today. (Bernama pic)

MELAKA:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has once again cautioned political parties against exploiting racial issues to gain public support. He said such tactics are often deployed when political parties find themselves in desperate situations, particularly when political dynamics work against them.

“When politics becomes convoluted and contentious, parties withdraw support and resort to playing the racial card. When desperate, they use race again,” he said when opening the Malaysia Chinese cultural festival here tonight.

Anwar said racial issues should no longer be the primary focus of any community and as the nation approaches nearly 70 years of independence, Malaysia must emerge as a nation that thrives on the collective strength of its diverse communities, regardless of who leads the country.

“My speech tonight is more of an appeal – an appeal for us to return to our collective strength. Every voice counts for our survival. Have we not had enough of endless arguments and disputes?” he said.

Every voice must now focus on the future survival of Malaysia as a unified nation. “Whoever is given the mandate, whoever is supported, must promise to protect the people, safeguard the country, and secure the future of our children as one nation,” he said.

Anwar reiterated that the government would not compromise on corruption and abuse of power, pledging to eradicate it completely. “We will show zero tolerance, and I will continue to act decisively to clean this country of corruption,” he said. - FMT