BN Sticks To Genuine Multiracial Approach

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional's (BN) multiracial approach has tended to the needs of all Malaysians as compared to the opposition pact PKR-DAP-PAS, said MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung.

He said as an example, during the BN Convention, presidents of all component parties be they Malay, Chinese, Indian and native Sabahans and Sarawakians were given a platform to speak up and were represented in policy decision making process, something which PAS, PKR and DAP leaders should start learning about.

"Exclusion of Indian leaders from the Pakatan banner during the recently concluded opposition pact convention in Alor Setar showed that the opposition wants Indian votes but couldn't care tuppence on respecting Indian stalwarts or caring for the Indian community's welfare," he said in a statement issued here Wednesday.

He further said the third opposition pact convention signaled more impending harrows under the Opposition rule.

"It is bad enough that gender segregation was enforced on both the audience as well as the press corps, to which DAP and PKR bigwigs could only sit and watch by doing nothing.

"The convention's organisers could even marginalise DAP chairman Karpal Singh by excluding his picture montage from the official banner despite him being chairman of DAP, thus claims by PKR and DAP to represent multiracial interests fall flat," he added.

Chor, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, said if the organisers failed to accord respect for Karpal but had montages of PAS Spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and others including DAP veteran politican Lim Kit Siang, how much more would the opposition ignore the presence and welfare of the Indian community as a whole.

"Is this the so-called acknowledgement that Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar can offer Karpal despite the latter having staunchly defended the former throughout both sodomy trials as lead counsel?" asked Chor.

"In view of all the examples listed above, it is no wonder that opposition pact desires Indian support, but could not care tuppence in respecting the Indian community, much less look after their needs," he added.