Multiracial Politics Is Way Forward

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- Multiracial politics is the way forward for Malaysia, consistent with the 1Malaysia concept being espoused by the Government, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

He said the concept of Barisan Nasional (BN) as a single multiracial party had been the aspiration of many of the country's political forefathers, including former deputy prime minister Tun Ghafar Baba who expressed this hope in 1999 before he passed away.

"This is also the building block for an eventual 1BN - which is BN as a single multiracial party," said Dr Ongkili when presenting a paper entitled "Innovating Malaysian Politics- The Multiracial Approach" at a political seminar organised by the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) here Saturday.

Dr Ongkili, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said that managing the expectations of the people also involved the role of a strong, moderate leadership.

"We need to focus on our ideological struggles rather than on meeting basic needs. Ideological struggle is the struggle for a fair and just Malaysia, a prosperous and united Malaysia where the basic needs of the rakyat are met and satisfied," he said.

For example, he said, members of the political parties needed to look at the ideological struggles instead of looking at meeting their own needs such as for posts in the administration, contracts and government projects.

"The key to the successful management of a multiracial party was that the people and members understood the party's objectives to cater for the interests of all races," he said.

He said the Federal leaders now had a good listening ear and sincere heart to assist Sabah and Sarawak, and bridge the development gap between the two states and the peninsular region.

"The people of both states have the best chance of catching up in socio-economic development through Barisan Nasional. For example, the four out of six national key result areas (NKRAs) on rural basic infrastructure, quality and affordable education, improving income of the poor and security, would greatly benefit both states.