Fight For All Races, Shafie Tells BN Parties

BANGI, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should win the heart of all races and not merely focusing on a particular race, said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He said the people's confidence could not be achieved by bellowing actions and services merely for a particular race in public.

"This is because such action will only create problems for us later," he told reporters after attending the breaking of fast hosted by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry here Tuesday.

Mohd Shafie, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, was commenting on MCA president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek's proposal that the 30 per cent Bumiputera quota should be reduced across the board.

"A party that champions the rights of all people will not necessarily get everything it wants and the differences should not be made a stumbling block against cooperation.

"What is important is the approaches or methods as there are things that can weaken or strengthen the cohesion. Use our reasoning and wisdom," he said, adding that the purpose of a struggle was to strengthen the party without ignoring the rights of all people in the country.