KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and Pas youth wings claim that the parties’ pact will champion the interests of non-Malays, despite attracting mostly Malay hardliners into its fold.
On the heels of criticism against the allegedly ethno-centric coalition, supporters of the pact, instead, accused Pakatan Harapan of being “racist” in an attempt to counter the ruling coalition’s attacks.
PH, along with several other observers, had alleged that the Umno-Pas pact was a racially segmented union which would not benefit Malaysia’s multiracial society.
However, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki disagreed, saying it was PH that was purposely trying to paint the alliance as racist.
“Our event is being held to explain Umno-Pas cooperation. We need to give an explanation so that it will not be misunderstood.
“This is especially in light of PH leaders continuously playing up racial sentiments and slandering this cooperation,” he said at the Putra World Trade Centre here after a Youth Townhall at Himpunan Penyatuan Ummah yesterday.
The event was a precursor to today’s signing of a political charter between the two parties, which is expected to consolidate support from pockets of Malay hardliners ahead of the 15th General Election.
Pas Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said members from both parties could also voice out against the top leadership should the charter turn rudderless.
“If it is true that the collaboration between Umno and Pas is merely based on religion, then our fight must not just centre on rallies.
“And we want to take over Putrajaya through politics and (take over the government) with respect and peacefully.
“And if our mission is not carried out wholeheartedly despite the inking of the charter, I implore members to demonstrate before PWTC and Pas’ headquarters to voice their dissatisfaction.”
The charter had raised questions on whether Umno’s allies, MCA and MIC, would support the initiative, especially when MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had recently avoided the topic when asked by reporters.
However, at yesterday’s event, youth representatives from MCA, MIC, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), Berjasa and Ikatan were present to support the alliance.
MCA Youth vice-chairman Yow Toh Gee said MCA would continue to be part of Barisan Nasional to ensure its victory in the next general election.
“MCA has been part of BN for 60 years and we came here to show our support for the event. We are here to work together as part of the opposition coalition and take back Putrajaya.”
Umno Youth vice-chief Shahril Hamdan “thanked” PH for defeating BN in the last general election, which had inadvertently led to the signing of the charter.
“This is PH’s only achievement, which is uniting the two largest parties in the country.
“We will not play on sentiments like PH, but instead, we will start drawing up plans on how we can empower the Malay economy and what other offers we can bring to the table.”
During yesterday’s dialogue participated by top individuals from each party, the stage was used as a political campaign with Pas Youth deputy chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari reiterating that PH was just a “one-term government”.
Among the issues raised included the controversial “Buy Halal First” campaign, which was later accused as a boycott against non-Muslim products.
“They accused us of being racist due to the ‘Buy Halal First’ initiative. But they failed to understand the very basic ingredient in having a stable country,” said Fadhli .
“When the Bumiputeras are economically empowered, they will be able to stand as equals with the non-Bumiputeras, and then the country will be stable”.