Zaid: Pakatan’s fate tied to economy, not race
(TMI) PETALING JAYA, June 13 — Datuk Zaid Ibrahim believes the economy and not race would determine Pakatan Rakyat’s fortunes in the next general elections, but warned that the opposition coalition has yet to wake-up to this reality.
The question of race has been a hallmark of Malaysian politics, plaguing most peninsula-based parties on both sides of the political divide, but the Kelantan-born lawyer said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) must transcend such thoughts.
“Malays and non-Malays are concerned with the economy, education and jobs,” the former Umno minister told The Malaysian Insider yesterday.
Zaid, who is now PR’s secretariat co-ordinator, was responding to admissions by PAS leaders that they were losing the support of Malays in their drive to woo non-Malays, made during their annual general assembly in Kota Baru.
He described the statements as “unnecessary exaggeration”, similar to a worry expressed by his own PKR in its congress two weeks ago.
“We don’t want to be in denial but such statements are exactly what Umno wants to hear,” said Zaid, who narrowly lost the Hulu Selangor Parliamentary by-election in late April.
Perkasa has swayed many Malays with its “simplistic and emotional claims”, said Zaid. — file pic
Zaid said the Malay nationalist group has been making all sorts of “emotional and simplistic claims, which appeal to some Malays.”
For instance, they argue that since Bumiputeras comprise 65 per cent of the population they should get 65 per cent of the economic pie.
“Of course some Malays will be attracted,” he declared.
Zaid says PR has not done enough to counter the rhetoric and explain the realities to Malays who have been taken in.
“We need to respond in concrete and practical ways.”
He said PR must lay on the table the benefits of having the coalition in Putrajaya. This includes economic reforms to counter corruption and poor administration.
