THE Democratic Action Party (DAP) has criticised leaders from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) for what it described as the continued use of race and religion to influence voters, calling instead for issue-based campaigning centred on policies, governance and development.
In a statement today, DAP Central Executive Committee member and International Secretary Kasthuri Patto took aim at PN leader and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over remarks she said sought to divide Malaysians along ethnic lines.
She said Sanusi's statement, "China is for the Chinese, India is for Indians and Malays have Tanah Melayu", was offensive to Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent whose families had lived in the country for generations and who regarded Malaysia as their only home.
Kasthuri said expressions such as "ingrates" and "pendatang" had repeatedly been directed at Malaysians of Chinese and Indian ethnicity, adding that references to "Tanah Melayu" ignored the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and implied that non-Malay citizens did not belong in the country.
She also criticised UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki for suggesting that Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anthony Loke could become Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar if PH formed the state government.
Kasthuri said the claim was misleading, pointing out that the Negeri Sembilan Constitution expressly requires the Menteri Besar to be a Malay Muslim state assemblyman and that PH's Menteri Besar candidate remained the incumbent, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
She added that Asyraf's subsequent explanation that the remarks were made in jest was unacceptable given his position as a senior political leader.
Kasthuri also criticised Sanusi's political secretary for referring to MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran as "Dey macha", describing the remark as derogatory and inappropriate while defending Sanusi's comments.
She said voters should evaluate candidates based on their performance, public service and the principles upheld by their parties rather than their race, religion or ethnicity.
Kasthuri urged Malaysians to reject politicians who manipulated racial and religious sentiments for political survival, stressing that elections should be conducted according to the principles of justice, equality, good governance and social justice.
She added that before preaching about unity and national strength, PN and PAS should first demonstrate those values through their own conduct. - July 25, 2026
