Masing: Current structure of many component members allow everyone an equal say
KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri Dr James Masing did not think a single Barisan Nasional (BN) party would work in a multi-racial and multi-cultural Malaysia. He said the current BN structure of many component members allowed everyone an equal say in the policy making of the country and the state. As such, he pointed out that the current BN structure was still the best because it catered for everyone.
“I don’t think we are ready for it (single BN party) due to the fact that we are very multi-racial and multi-cultural. If we have a single party, the smaller ones will be submerged and their voices will not be heard. Just because we fail in one election, it doesn’t mean BN doesn’t work. It can work and it will work,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Masing was commenting on the suggestions made by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M Kayveas for all 14 BN parties to be dissolved and a new BN party formed. Asked to comment on the ongoing talks between BN backbone party Umno and opposition party PAS, he said PRS was not against it for as long as the existence of other racial groups were not ignored.
“I am not offended by this, because to me, that (the talks) is basically among Malays who are of same culture and same religious background, so let them talk. I think the other BN component parties that are non-Malays should not be offended by it. Let them talk among themselves provided that they do not ignore the existence of other racial groups,” he added.
“If MCA were to talk to Gerakan and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) on Chinese unity, they also have the right, and let them do so but do not ignore the others. That is very important in a multi-racial society like Malaysia.” Masing earlier attended the Discussion on Poverty and Development in Sarawak held in connection with the visit by the first holder of the Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Chair, Professor Jeffrey D Sachs.
KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri Dr James Masing did not think a single Barisan Nasional (BN) party would work in a multi-racial and multi-cultural Malaysia. He said the current BN structure of many component members allowed everyone an equal say in the policy making of the country and the state. As such, he pointed out that the current BN structure was still the best because it catered for everyone.
“I don’t think we are ready for it (single BN party) due to the fact that we are very multi-racial and multi-cultural. If we have a single party, the smaller ones will be submerged and their voices will not be heard. Just because we fail in one election, it doesn’t mean BN doesn’t work. It can work and it will work,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Masing was commenting on the suggestions made by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M Kayveas for all 14 BN parties to be dissolved and a new BN party formed. Asked to comment on the ongoing talks between BN backbone party Umno and opposition party PAS, he said PRS was not against it for as long as the existence of other racial groups were not ignored.
“I am not offended by this, because to me, that (the talks) is basically among Malays who are of same culture and same religious background, so let them talk. I think the other BN component parties that are non-Malays should not be offended by it. Let them talk among themselves provided that they do not ignore the existence of other racial groups,” he added.
“If MCA were to talk to Gerakan and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) on Chinese unity, they also have the right, and let them do so but do not ignore the others. That is very important in a multi-racial society like Malaysia.” Masing earlier attended the Discussion on Poverty and Development in Sarawak held in connection with the visit by the first holder of the Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Chair, Professor Jeffrey D Sachs.
No comments:
Post a Comment