If Malays unite, we don’t have to worry about Chinese votes
Minister says people should not be upset with Mahathir Mohamad’s statement when it correctly reflects the situation among Malays.
(Free Malaysia Today) – While many political leaders have taken to the media to voice their outrage at Mahathir Mohamad for saying the Malays had to beg the Chinese for votes, the culture and tourism minister has stepped forward to clear the air on what Mahathir really meant.
Speaking to reporters today, Nazri Aziz explained that the former prime minister had made a valid point in that Malays had become so disunited that their only recourse to stay in power was to look to the other races for support.
“If the Malays were united, we would not have to worry about these (Chinese) votes.
“If a (constituency) has 70% Malays and 30 per cent non-Malays, we have to bank on the 30% as we will not get enough Malay votes,” Nazri explained, adding that the Malay voter base was now spread over three political parties namely Umno, PAS and PKR.
“He (Mahathir) is not wrong,” Nazri said, adding that the reality on the ground was that the 30 per cent non-Malay voter base had become a deciding factor for Umno thereby resulting in Malays having to curry favour with the Chinese.
“So whatever the Chinese want, we have to give,” he explained.
Nazri also said that Mahathir’s statement was more a wake up call for the Malays than a criticism against the non-Malays.
“He wants the Malays to wake up and realise that we cannot win if we are not united. However being united does not mean that we will put down other races. That is not what he meant,” Nazri said.
