BATU KITANG assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang is disappointed over Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stand on race and religion-based politics.
“Since becoming prime minister he has told PAS and Umno to stop playing racial and religious issues but he is doing so himself.
“He should realise that only one race voted for him during GE14. Now that the battle has been won, it appears that the people of the minority races have been conveniently chucked aside,” Lo said that when debating on the Supply (2020) Bill, 2019 in the august House yesterday.
“The last thing the prime
minister should do is to encourage or
even perceived to be encouraging discrimination in any shape or form.
“Pitting one race against another in a multi-racial country can only serve to drive a wedge even further between the people in multi-cultural Malaysia.”
Lo stressed that Dr Mahathir’s actions were not in keeping with the New Malaysia which was heavily promoted by the Pakatan Harapan federal government.
“Where is that New Malaysia now? Remember, charity starts at home.
“The PM would do well to heed his own high-sounding advice right at home by being a friend to all people and enemy of none regardless of race and religion in his own country.”
Lo compared the polarised situation in Malaya to Sarawak where its people of different races are able to live in peace and harmony.
“Our CM, Abang Jo (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) is continuing with the legacy of our beloved Tok Nan (former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) in helping all races in Sarawak.
“He shows by example the importance of tolerance and acceptance among all races and he is working very hard in very
challenging circumstances to get back what belongs to us under MA63.”
Lo said Abang Johari’s RM30 million allocation to the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) would further enhance the peace, harmony and unity in the state.