Azmin's remark on Bumi agenda unsettling and racist

PETALING JAYA - A think tank has voiced concern over a minister’s remarks following the Semenyih by-election that the Bumiputera agenda should be fulfilled “without feeling apologetic or fearful”, saying there is no room for “narrow communal posturing” in the country.

“The tone of Azmin’s message and the speed at which it was issued raises the prospect that the upcoming Rantau by-election will see heightened posturing of this sort,” the Centre for a Better Tomorrow (Cenbet) said, referring to Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Adding that Azmin’s statement was deeply concerning, it said it was also unsettling as his ministry “oversees massive public funds involving the country’s economic well-being”.

“Political leaders should avoid knee-jerk reactions to the results of by-elections. Instead, they should focus on long-term national interests.

“There is no room for narrow communal posturing that harms the fabric holding this diverse nation together,” it added.

On Sunday, Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, said the outcome of the Semenyih by-election was a wake-up call for Pakatan Harapan (PH) to act collectively in carrying out promised reforms.

He said PH should step up efforts to change and be the party of choice for Malay voters, as well as continue the Bumiputera agenda.

“We must be brave and not hesitate in fulfilling our promises, especially on the Malay and Bumiputera agenda which is an integral part of the national agenda. We must do so without feeling apologetic and fearful of criticism of others,” he said.

In a statement, Cenbet vice-president Simon Lim said PH swept to power in the May 9 polls last year on the promise of being a government for all.

He said it had also pledged to implement policies and programmes that “unite the nation and create an inclusive society and maintain the harmony of multiracial and multi-religious Malaysia”.

“The current administration should stick to the letter and spirit of the promise. It should also learn from the mistakes of its predecessor whose overt racial and religious pandering was a put-off to voters, resulting in the coalition getting the boot in the last general election.

“Voters, especially minorities, who bought into PH’s pledge for reforms are increasingly frustrated and disappointed by the ruling coalition’s pandering to right-wing groups bent on dividing Malaysians,” he said.