Saying the Malays had accepted the idea of sharing power with other communities in the past thus replacing traditional power structure hitherto dominated by Malay rulers, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zaid Ibrahim said they should now continue to pursue such a path.
Slamming UMNO leaders’ statements threatening racial discord if DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang defeats BN’s Abdul Ghani Othman in Gelang Patah, Zaid urged the Malays to prove to the world that they are not a people out to create trouble as depicted by prime minister Najib Razak and UMNO strongman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Now the Malays have been asked to answer more big questions in Gelang Patah. Do they want moderate, sensible politics in multiracial Malaysia? Do they want racial harmony to continue? Or will they endorse the vile sectarian politics of Dr Mahathir Mahathir and his progeny Najib Razak?” asked Zaid.
He said Malays must kill off all attempts to raise spectre of violence and showcase to others of the community’s moderation.
“We have to reassert our identity in this election. We are moderate sensible people. We listen to issues and we decide to vote based on the facts before us. That’s the kind of Malays we are, the genuine Malays of this country,” said the former Kota Bharu member of parliament.
Zaid praised Kit Siang as “one of the finest parliamentarians we have”, saying the DAP leader was far from being a racist “the kind we have in Perkasa and its patron”, he added, referring to BN’s strongest ally supported by Mahathir.
“Despite his (Kit Siang’s) stern look and the fact that he rarely smiles, he is a good man… We judge a leader not by his colour or race but by his deeds. Put the records of service between Kit Siang and Ghani Othman on the table… and compare and contrast. There’s no need to go on a rampage as some irresponsible leaders want you to do,” Zaid stressed.
There are 106,864 eligible voters in Gelang Patah, 52 percent of whom are Chinese, 34 percent Malays and 12 percent Indians.
-Harakahdaily
#1 by kg on Thursday, 25 April 2013 - 1:37 pm
Soraya Salim said in http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/the-johor-dilemma-soraya-salim/
//I would say that PR is on the right track with their Johor manifesto as well as the track record of the state assemblymen for the past five years. So what else should PR do? Connect the dots and tell the Johor residents point blank how Umno/BN misdeeds affect their daily life and their future. How Umno/BN’s betrayal to the rakyat is actually a bread and butter issue. Always tell them “why does it matter to them?”
Another challenge for PR is to create a paradigm shift in Johor. PR must understand that this election is not just about winning Johor and forming a PR state government. It is also about changing the mindset of the Johor voters that are so used to racial politics, Umno-style.
The battle is beyond winning the elections. It is a battle to change their minds beyond racial politics, beyond Umno/BN and beyond election goodies. GE13 is an election for the bigger picture, the future, and not on who can give BR1M every year.//
#2 by cinaindiamelayubersatu on Thursday, 25 April 2013 - 1:53 pm
Sorry, should read Vote Pakatan Harapan Rakyat for Kit Siang… Vote in PR vote out BarisanNajis…
#3 by Bunch of Suckers on Thursday, 25 April 2013 - 2:23 pm
Zaid is extremely good Malay who has far-visions for Malaysia. Unfortunately, there a few like him…
Zaid, you have my hat-offs to you! Malaysia will progress tremendously under PR… More foreign investors will flock into Malaysia under the PR meritocratic policies…
#4 by tuahpekkong on Thursday, 25 April 2013 - 3:59 pm
Zaid is a man of conscience. He is a real patriot. For sure UMNO would not let him off lightly. He now risks being accused of being manipulated by the DAP and being a traitor to the Malays. Hats off to Zaid, he has been so courageous.
#5 by rockdaboat on Thursday, 25 April 2013 - 5:08 pm
PAS AND FOR THAT MATTER, PATAKAN SHOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY REJECTS FROM BN.
THE ACCEPTANCE OF MOHD TAIB IS A VERY BAD MOVE. NOW TAIB IS INVITING HIS GANGS, I.E. OTHER REJECTS TO JOIN PAS. IF THIS GOES ON, IN NO TIME, PAKATAN WILL BE CORRUPTED BY THESE EX-UMNO MEMBERS.
PAKATAN WILL ULTIMATELY LOSE THE RAKYAT’S SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!