Moment of unity: Anwar (seated, centre) attending a fast-breaking event in Tampin, Negri Sembilan. Also present were (seated, from left) Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. — Bernama
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned groups that fuelled racial anxieties to create unrest among the public, describing their strategies as outdated and desperate.
Their tactics were a “desperado” approach to politics, he said of their fearmongering.
Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, said the Opposition was pushing the narrative that the unity government is supposedly weak due to it being “influenced by certain parties” particularly those from the Chinese community.
These critics, who accused DAP of being a racist party, seemed to have forgotten that they had previously worked with DAP, he said.
“PAS was allied with DAP in the past for nearly 15 years. Even during the Pakatan administration under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the Bersatu leaders sat at the same table with DAP leaders.
“So, are their current claims valid? These are merely the words of desperate individuals – what we call ‘desperados’ in politics.
“There is no factual basis, no constructive policy criticism and no fresh ideas.
“Instead, they continue to recycle the same rhetoric, instilling fear among Malays about an alleged rise of the Chinese, particularly under the DAP symbol,” he said during the DAP national congress yesterday.
Also present were Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Pakatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick and veteran DAP leader Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang.
Anwar also called out the detractors for their unacceptable political narrative.
“The Opposition has no new proposals, yet they continue to beat the same old drum – stoking fear among the Malay community about an alleged rise of the Chinese,” he said.
He reiterated that the government has no intention of sidelining the Malays.
Instead, he said policies being implemented were designed to empower them through their own efforts.
“The steps we are taking are meant to elevate the dignity of the Malays and bumiputra, but through their own hard work and dedication,” he added.
Anwar also stressed that an inclusive governance was the key to national progress, urging Malaysians to reject political tactics aimed at creating divisions along racial lines.
