Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) observes that racial politics is rearing its ugly head again. In a spate of a few days, opposition politicians from Umno and Pas spewed racial sentiments to give the impression that they were heroes championing the cause of the Malays.
Lokman Adam of Umno accused Dr Mahathir Mohamad of “ruling the government according to the wishes of 42 DAP MPs who have the most seats”.
Nasrudin Hassan of Pas accused the PH government of allowing “the control of the three positions of the legal system and judiciary by figures that cause restlessness among Muslims”. It is clear that the Pas leader was insinuating against the appointments of the chief justice, the de facto law minister and the attorney general.
Malaysians expect our politicians to speak intelligently, sensibly, and with common sense logic. The arguments put forward by Lokman and Nasrudin were so void of logic and sensibility to even the less educated. Even worse for Nasrudin, he tried to give the impression of restless Muslims in general and championed their cause. Both Lokman and Nasrudin are middle echelon leaders in their respective parties. Their rapid-fire loose cannon shots, though blanks, reflect badly on their parties and their top party leaders who do not rein in their lieutenants.
Command and leadership was the main vocation among Patriots. From our experience, we can easily tell two types of people make bad leaders. First are those empty vessels that speak without much sense. Second are those who lack capability and knowledge but are good at currying favour. For both types, they often talk ill of others, sow hatred, and sabotage others as evil means to gain advantage.
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Using race and religion to sow societal discord and hatred has been proven to be a failed strategy in the last general election. If leaders of Umno and Pas still fail to realise this, they truly deserve to be labelled as morons.
Our country is now faced with many challenges ahead – to pay a gargantuan national debt of RM1 trillion, a rising interest rate, a looming world recession, a fast-rising unemployment rate and a dilemma as to whether to continue with the lopsided contracts in the infrastructure projects.
Patriot implores all Malaysians to rally around our prime minister and his cabinet, stay united, prepare to work hard, and together we face the challenges ahead.
BG (Rtd) Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of Patriot.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
BN is dead; UMNO will understand the futility of alliances and go to it alone. It understands that if they are able to create mischief under the rubric of “Islam in danger” and with it the destiny of the Malay/Muslim community then it is possible to revive its fortunes. It would be naive to think otherwise and UMNO strategy will strive had to polarize the communities in its vile effort to corner the sentiments of the Malays, who will remain susceptible to the proposition that “Tanah Melayu” has ceded their control. The cry that this land is Malay/Muslim will be irresistible. As for those others in Malaysia the very term “Chinese” and “Indians” etc are dead giveaways, and plays into the narrative that Malaysia now belongs to outsiders.
Thank you Aliran for always keeping such issues on check. The more check the less virulent they will get.
Agreed the current leadership of PAS and UMNO are morons, still living in the racial ponds of 60 years’ vintage. Wonder whether they have the brains to realize that their type of leadership, based on racial and political one-sided culture of community and religion will not take them anywhere in the present world climate of multiculturalism and for our country.
Very sad for them to still live in the old culture. We want everyone, irrespective of race and religion to work for the progress and advancement of our beloved country, and not to put obstacles to our attempts to advance the development of Malaysia and her citizens. Wake up!!
Selagi Umno dan Pas dibiarkan, negara Malaysia tak akan dapat aman.
Harap kementerian dalam Negeri boleh kawal dari awal awal lagi, jangan biar berulang.
Racial issue spoil the harmony of Malaysian,don’t do that