KUCHING, July 17 — Malaysians should support the national unity government as rivals such as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Perikatan Nasional (PN) where being increasingly divisive for political gain, said Baru Bian.
The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secretary-general said this was why the party was working to shore up the national unity government.
“Therefore, the public support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg through our collaboration with Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) is a move forward in a uniform direction,” he said in a statement.
“We cannot allow political extremists to take over the administration of this country,” he said.
Baru, who is also Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, said the current political landscape of the country is now more polarised than ever.
“The latest remarks and statements made by Dr Mahathir that promoting multiracialism in Malaysia is unconstitutional and that Malaysia is Tanah Melayu; PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang continuously attacking DAP; the intensifying politicising of race, religion and royalty, especially by many Umno and PN leaders is of great concern to me,” he said.
He said as a Sarawak native, he felt the need to assert a racial claim to this country that is made up of many races and ethnic groups, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.
“In times of crisis such as the communist insurgency and the 1969 racial riots, the Orang Asli and Sarawakians and Sabahans also fought to protect the sovereignty of this land,” he said.
He said he has no idea how Dr Mahathir could think that promoting multiracialism in Malaysia is unconstitutional and that Malaysia is Tanah Melayu.
“It is common knowledge that Malaysia is a federation of Malaya together with Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners,” he said.
He expressed his disappointment that someone who was once considered a statesman could have descended to such depths to play the racial card in order to remain relevant.
