PPBM must change Malay psyche beyond battling Umno, says Mujahid
(MMO) – Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) told Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), a Malay-only party, today to go beyond running against Umno in the general election and to change the Malay psyche.
Amanah vice president Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa acknowledged that his party, the DAP and PKR were forced to adapt their reformation agenda with the “Malay ala Umno psyche” in PPBM, with the three receiving seats traditionally contested by Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties while PPBM would run in Umno constituencies.
“It is not enough that they get plenty of seats based on the rationale of fighting with Umno, but do nothing to help form the New Malaysia that has long been championed by DSAI and the reformists,” said Mujahid, referring to the acronym of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“There is no point if PPBM replaces Umno, but still continues Umno’s racist doctrines without reforming the Malay community to come out of the ‘trapped mentality’ and towards a healthy and competitive mentality, while at the same time forming a Malaysian doctrine without racial discrimination.”
Yesterday at Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) second convention, PH leaders agreed to allocating in the peninsula 52 seats to PPBM, 51 seats to PKR, 35 seats to DAP and 27 seats to Amanah.
Mujahid said the seat allocation reflected the resolution to win seats that has not yet been won, particularly Malay-majority seats, in which PPBM had been tasked to contest against Umno.
While there was a “disadvantage” to PPBM’s participation in the Opposition, Mujahid said it was an added advantage if taken in the context of reformation that had been championed by Anwar and other activists.
“In comparison with other parties like PKR, Amanah and DAP that refuse to label themselves as a party that represents a certain race, PPBM had clearly stated themselves as a party for the Malay community.
“Gaining Malay votes makes PPBM’s alliance a bonus to PH. Even though PKR and Amanah may find it difficult to accept this reality as both had brought forth a progressive approach for the Malays, but at the moment, the mentality of the Malay is still dependent on Umno’s doctrines,” he said.
Mujahid said the downside of PPBM’s participation in the federal Opposition coalition was reflected in the postponement of the “reformation” and “New Malaysia”, which was to bring the nation forward to one that is blind towards ethnic and racial differences.
He said PPBM’s participation has brought DAP, Amanah, and PKR towards the reality that the three have to adjust towards reforming the Malay mentality.
