KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli reportedly said that race-based politics is the easiest way to gain Malay support.

In an interview with Utusan Malaysia published today, the Pandan MP said this is the approach of most Malay-majority political parties; hence, DAP is often targeted as a symbol of non-Malays in this country who need to be subdued simply to gain power.

"Malay political trends show that when these parties find it difficult gaining support through positive policies and ideas, they fall back on the path of least resistance, which is the path of racism.

"Perception-wise, DAP is equated with the Chinese. In reality, it is not a question of DAP, but of political parties in Malaysia that take the easy way to get the support of the Malays by stoking the fire of racism that this country must crush the Chinese. This is dangerous for the country,” he was quoted as saying by the Malay national daily.

The economy minister said if they continue to rely on this method to gain power, these Malay-majority parties will harm the Malay race itself, adding that they should compete in a healthy way.

"Even though I am in PKR, no non-Malays have ever criticised me even though we talk about Bumiputeras because it is not wrong to discuss how we want to better our own race. No one is angry.

"In Kelantan and Terengganu, there are no Chinese, but have problems been resolved? Is it the case that with the absence of Chinese in Kelantan and Terengganu, they are rolling in wealth? Not even,” he said.

Rafizi then went on to say that it would be impossible for Malaysia to get out of its present rut by focusing on the Malays only, as the country needs to compete on an international level, and therefore, should combine all its strengths, including that of the Chinese and the Indians, in one team Malaysia to challenge others.

"If you were to ask Sanusi (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) to suggest how Malay faculties can be improved upon, it would be hard for him to say so. Hence, it is easy for him to hit out at the Chinese.

"If the use of racism in politics continues, the Malays will end up being the losers. The non-Malays will continue looking ahead and progress further, but the Malays will retreat into their shell, and that’s where the real problem lies.

"This is why I want no part of it when people say DAP, because for me, it is a Malay problem, not someone else’s problem who wants to oppress the Malays,” he said.