Why fear non-Malay candidates, asks Anwar

(FMT) – Malays should not fear being represented by non-Malay elected representatives as long as they are good, clean and not corrupt, says PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Defending Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to field an Indian candidate, Dr Streram Sinnasamy, in the Rantau by-election, Anwar said the question of the Malays’ survival does not arise.

“Malays will survive if we have clean, incorruptible, good leaders. Not just the Malays will survive – the Chinese, Indians, and Kadazans will, too.

“But if we choose corrupt and cruel Malay leaders, the Indians, Chinese and Malays will not survive,” he said at rally in conjunction with the by-election at Taman Angsamas here last night.

Also present was Amanah president and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

Anwar said all communities must be treated equally in a multiracial nation.

“It must be remembered that a Chinese candidate needs the support of the Indians and Malays, thus the Indian candidate in this area needs the support of the Chinese and Malays.

“What is there to fear? The prime minister is a Malay, the menteri besar is a Malay. Why now raise the question of Malay survival?” he asked.

Mohamad, in his speech, also criticised those who play up the issue of Malay survival and accuse Malay PH component parties of being “DAP stooges”.

At another rally in Taman Sri Ramai, Rantau, later, Anwar said he would ensure that there are spillover effects for Rantau from the development in his parliamentary constituency of Port Dickson.

The Rantau constituency borders Port Dickson.

The by-election will see a four-cornered fight between Streram, Mohamad Hasan of Barisan Nasional, and two independents, Malar Rajaram and Mohd Nor Yassin.