KUALA LUMPUR – The message of unity trumpeted by Warisan Plus, which departs from the colonial legacy of race-based politics, is the way forward not just for Sabah, but the country, said Pusat Komas.
Lauding the alliance led by caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, the human rights group, in a statement, said the racial narrative has been used for decades – first by colonialists, and then, Malaysian political parties – to prevent people from organising against them.
“The Malaysian political arena has been in the imaginary clutches of race-based parties for decades.
“Most of these parties were formed during the colonial era to protect the rights and welfare of their respective ethnic groups.”
These outfits then use race and religion to bait votes, it said, undoing efforts to forge social cohesion and national unity.
“As Pusat Komas has consistently suggested, Malaysian politics and political parties must distance themselves from race- and religion-based politics, and instead, adopt needs-based politics.
“We urge parties contesting the Sabah elections to ensure their campaign is free from racist, bigoted and xenophobic elements.”
The vote, to be held on Saturday, was called following the dissolution of the state assembly on July 30.
Some 1.12 million Sabahans are eligible to cast their ballots. – The Vibes, September 24, 2020
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