KUCHING: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has finally realised that without the wholesome Malay support, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will not be able to exist for long especially against the might of Umno and PAS combined.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) women chief Datuk Seri Doris Brodie said after all politic is a game of numbers.
“I don’t think his objective is about uniting the Malays, as I see it, Umno still enjoys the majority of the Malay support. It is about the survival of Bersatu,” she said.
By suggesting Umno to join Bersatu, she said also seemed to indicate the Bersatu chairman and his Pribumi party was not closely knitted with its allies PKR, Amanah and DAP.
“This only proves that ‘marriage of convenience’ in politics cannot work,” she said.
When asked should Dayak-based parties in Sarawak do the same, she said unity is strength.
“Ideally, if all Dayaks in Sarawak can unite under one party, they would be a strong force to be reckoned with.
“Dayaks make up approximately 46 per cent of Sarawak’s population. However, an ideal situation is not always the solution, not especially in a multiracial country like Malaysia,” she pointed out.
She said in Sarawak there are 28 ethnic groups that form the people of Sarawak, although people cannot run away from race-based politics but they can still progress harmoniously by focusing on nation building.
“When we start politicising the concept of plural society, it will no longer be neutral and will only cause unhappiness and unhealthy competition among the people.
“Leaders in a plural society play a very crucial role. They need to demonstrate and practise equality and fairness for sustainable development and existence without any one community feeling or being left out,” she said.
She said Dayaks must not be like ostriches, it is now time that they pull their ‘heads out of the sand’.
“We have to move forward by changing our mindset, capitalise on whatever we have and need to think strategically. We cannot be past possessed if we want to progress. We must be future-focused hereon.
“Hence, if we can at least share the said concept and unite in that spirit, we are heading the right direction.”
