Lim Guan Eng calls for unity to counter PAS and Umno’s racial, religious politics

On September 13, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng urged Malaysians to unite against what he characterized as the "dangerous brand of extremist politics" espoused by PAS and Umno. Both parties showcased political agendas centered on religious and racial dominance during their respective gatherings, according to Lim. He accused PAS of reaching "new lows" by publicly excluding non-Muslims from high-ranking Cabinet positions, while Umno was alleged to be working towards undermining the ruling coalition by attempting to hasten the collapse of the unity government to safeguard its leaders.

In his statement, Lim emphasized the need for Malaysians to unite against this "dangerous brand of extremist politics" to prevent radical policies that could threaten the nation's existence as defined in the Federal Constitution. He proposed ten strategies to foster national unity in Malaysia's diverse society and promote greater integration between Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia.

These strategies include upholding the Federal Constitution and Rule of Law, defending democracy and the separation of powers, and safeguarding the autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak.

Moreover, Lim called for the protection of constitutional rights of all Malaysians irrespective of their race, gender, religion, or background. He also advocated for measures to ensure equitable economic growth, reduce regulatory burdens, and lower taxes and utility costs. Additionally, Lim proposed economic benefits should be distributed more fairly, particularly among the 17 million-strong workforce, through actions to curb "toxic rentier economic practices and crony capitalism".

In the education sector, Lim urged for academic excellence and a merit-based curriculum with a unified examination system to tackle Malaysia's declining PISA rankings. He also recommended enhanced protection for the natural environment and cultural heritage, universal access to basic healthcare, and wider availability of affordable digital education and opportunities, alongside measures to combat scams and cyberbullying.

Lastly, Lim emphasized the necessity of investing in physical infrastructure to ensure efficient road networks, robust public transportation, and dependable power and water supplies.