KUALA LUMPUR – Non-Malays in Pakatan Harapan (PH) would do well not to attack Malay leaders from rival parties as this can end up becoming political “ammunition”, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said.
“More so if the leader has a religious background. That is sensitive because it can be twisted to be about a non-Muslim insulting a Muslim.
“Let us Muslims answer and expose them,” he said in a Facebook post and video.
The Pandan hopeful also said his non-Malay colleagues in PH should avoid topics involving Malay institutions, including the constitutional monarchy, Bahasa Melayu’s status as the national language and the position of Islam.
Rafizi said many non-Malays have asked him what it would take to convince voters from the majority ethnic group to support PH, which is often demonised by rival Malay-Muslim parties that paint PH component DAP as communist and anti-Islam.
There is also the unfortunate perception that Malays don’t care about corruption, or that they can be bribed, Rafizi said.
“We have to accept that Malay voters are sometimes afraid to vote for PH because of the actions of a few people in PH who are not sensitive to the feelings of the Malays.
“The number of these insensitive people is not many, but when they are not careful in making statements, the matter is exaggerated by Umno, PAS and Bersatu to play up the issue of racism and to cover up the corruption and weakness of their administration.”
Rafizi added that this is why he “continuously” talked about rejecting racism and exposing corruption.
“But I request that all my friends in PH also understand the feelings and sensitivities of the Malays so as not to give ammunition to Umno, PAS and Bersatu,” he added.
He assured Malays in PH will continue fighting corruption and racism.
“We are not the type to hide behind the name of the Malay agenda to destroy the country.
Rafizi said what Malay voters want in a PH leader is someone who has all the good attributes to lead and solve problems, “but also firmly reprimands when there are friends who are seen as less sensitive to the feelings of the Malays”. – The Vibes, November 11, 2022
