Nurul: Galas voters must reject BN's racial politics

By Teoh El Sen

GUA MUSANG: Galas voters must reject Barisan Nasional's racial politics and corrupt practices and show their protest via the ballot box, PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar told a Chinese crowd at a DAP ceramah here last night.

The Lembah Pantai MP drew loud applause from some 300 listeners when she exclaimed in Mandarin, "Wo me yi qi lai gai ge (let us work together for reform) and "wo men dou shi yi jia ren (we are a family)" before ending her speech.

"We (Pakatan Rakyat) are not just all rhetoric. (Prime Minister) Najib (Tun Razak) said he respects the Chinese but just recently we saw that he does not show any respect for those who are not Malays. For me, Galas would show that the co-operation in Pakatan Rakyat is multiracial," said Nurul.

Continuing her salvo against Najib, Nurul said he spoke about 1Malaysia but during the Umno general assembly, his speech went along racial lines.

"Today, we are facing groups like Perkasa, racist groups that are supported by Umno. That was why I challenged (Perkasa chief) Ibrahim Ali, eventhough I am Malay and Muslim. I cannot support those who are racist. We don't want Malay-saja... we want a Malaysia. We must fight racial politics."

Nurul said the Chinese were clever at fighting for their rights and were brave to create change in society, adding that Malaysia is running out of time in saving its bright future.

Selangor state assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim, who was also present, said Malaysia had 10 Malaysia Plans for over 50 years, but had nothing to show for.

"But Singapore is so much more advanced, and it just needed one plan," said Teng.

In his usual sarcastic manner, Teng said Malaysia's natural resources, palm oil and rubber, had all been wasted by the BN-led government, and the nation now only has one last resource – jokes.

Teng also poked fun at Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen for being a "tourist" minister and wasting government funds for her travels.

'Vote roti canai'

Former Perak state assembly speaker V Sivakumar also heaped criticism on BN, claiming that Najib's 1Malaysia was actually "sapu (sweep) Malaysia".

"Umno plans to lie to Malays, MCA to Chinese and MIC to Indians," said Sivakumar.

Referring to Titiwangsa Umno division chief Johari Abdul Ghani's "racially charged" remark, Sivakumar said: "He said he doesn't need and want the non-Malay voters, so if we vote them, we'd look like fools. Then we don't want them either. "

"Come Nov 4, vote the 'roti canai'," he said, referring to the moon-shaped PAS logo.

Earlier, Teng told FMT that BN seems to have given up hope in Galas and focusing more on Batu Sapi.

"I feel that BN is hoping for a Batu Sapi win so that it would overshadow a loss in Galas. BN expects defeat here and is going all out over there where their chances are better. BN is thinking that in case it loses here, the party wouldn't look so bad," said Teng.

Free Malaysia Today
02/11/10

No comments: