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

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysian political parties to cease using racial issues for political gain, emphasizing that Malaysia should move past such disputes nearly 70 years after gaining independence. He highlighted that such divisions have a history within Malaysian politics, with rival parties often resorting to racial tensions when they needed support.

Anwar stressed that when he says "our country," he does not aim to diminish the status of others, but rather underscores the rights of Malay Rulers and the constitutional framework. He emphasized that children should feel at home in their own nation, citing the 1950s and 1960s as periods when the concerns of various communities were foremost in people's minds.

During this time, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak, Tun Tan Siew Sin, and Tun Sambanthan represented the country's best interests. However, Anwar noted that as politics evolved, disagreements led to attacks and the exploitation of racial divisions when parties were desperate for support. He questioned how any nation could endure such strife and questioned the legitimacy of a country where children from different backgrounds felt like outsiders.

Anwar stressed that Malaysia has reached a pivotal point socially, culturally, and politically, and all parties must demonstrate the strength to reject strategies that could erode national unity. He stressed that this matter is not solely political but crucial for Malaysia's survival as a unified nation, where the interests of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, and all citizens are safeguarded.