MELAKA, Aug 16 — PKR must continue to defend a fair political approach to all sections of society, while respecting the position of Islam and the Malays in the Federal Constitution.
PKR vice president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the position of Islam and the Malays is a core element in the Federal Constitution that must be respected by all parties.
“But at the same time, we are fair to all Malays, Chinese, Indians, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus,” he said when delivering his closing speech on the second day of the PKR National Congress at Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) here today.
The Selangor Menteri Besar said the reform struggle initiated by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 had succeeded in mainstreaming various issues including the enrichment of democracy and fundamental rights, fair economic distribution and government administration with integrity.
In line with Amirudin, PKR vice president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan wanted PKR to remain firm in defending the diversity of races in this country and strongly reject actions that use racial issues as political capital.
Ramanan, who is also the Minister of Human Resources, said the stance was important to ensure that the harmony of the people remained guaranteed and was not undermined by narrow political agendas.
“In our country’s politics, there are parties who deliberately play on racial issues to gain votes and divide unity for their own interests. However, PKR must continue to be a party that firmly defends diversity and strongly rejects such actions,” he said.
Ramanan also called on the entire leadership and party members to prioritise unity and put aside personal egos in order to strengthen the party machinery at all levels.
“If we fight among ourselves at the top, the ones who end up being the victims are the machinery below. The branches are affected, the branches are affected, the members are confused, the machinery becomes weak and ultimately our political opponents benefit. We must work together as one family,” he said.
Another vice president Datuk Chang Lih Kang said the party’s durability and effectiveness did not depend on propaganda on racial issues, but rather was proven through the increasing support of people of various races for elected representatives who served with distinction.
He said this could be seen through the results of the Chennah seat in the Negeri Sembilan State Election which saw Malay voters’ support for DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke show a positive increase, despite facing identity politics propaganda. — Bernama
