Khairy: We have not lost the Chinese vote
Key to the future is how to strengthen Malaysian identity
Nazry Bahrawi
nazry@mediacorp.com.sg
DESPITE lacklustre support from the Chinese community in the last two by-elections, Malaysia's ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident that it is not losing the backing of the Chinese electorate.
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There were issues that have caused Chinese Malaysians to harbour some unhappiness, admitted rising political star Khairy Jamaluddin, deputy chief of United Malay National Organisation (Umno) Youth, and son- in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
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These issues — and there were a lot of them at the local and national level — have probably been politicised and blown out of proportion, and they may have somewhat affected the sentiments of the Chinese community, he told Today in an exclusive interview.
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"But to say that we have lost a lot of support from the Chinese community — I don't think that is true," said Mr Khairy, speaking over the weekend on the sidelines of the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit organised by the New York-based Asia Society.
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Despite winning the recent by-elections in Ijok, Selangor, and Machap, Malacca, the performance of the coalition showed a decline in Chinese support.
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In the hotly-contested Ijok by-elections in April, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), a partner of the coalition, managed to net less than half of the Chinese voters.
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And in Machap, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) — BN's Chinese partner — saw its majority lopped off by nearly 500 votes compared to its performance in the 2004 general election.
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Could these setbacks be traced to Malay-sia's controversial affirmative action economic policy, previously known as the New Economic Policy (NEP), which targets a 30 per cent share of the economy for the Malays or bumiputeras (sons of the soil)?
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Mr Khairy defended the retention of the NEP-type policies.
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"Distribution of wealth made possible under these policies is crucial not only for the bumiputeras who are doing badly but also for those non-bumiputeras who are still suffering from poverty and do not have educational opportunities," he said.
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But the Government has lifted the constraints of this policy in initiatives where it was trying to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs).
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He cited Southern Johor's economic corridor — the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) — where investors in industries such as logistics and tourism are exempt from the bumiputera policy.
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Official statistics justified the retention of the policy, he said.
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"If you look at broad-based numbers, with regard to education attainment and income disparity, the numbers show a marked gulf between bumiputeras and non-bumiputeras," he said, with the latter much better off than the former.
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"Certain people" would therefore require "certain advantages" in education, poverty alleviation and in the start-up of, for example, small businesses, said Mr Khairy.
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But Malaysia was also looking into disparity within the other ethnic communities to ensure that no one is "left behind". And BN was making good progress, especially in the area of economic development.
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Will BN perform well in the upcoming elections? Yes, if it can deliver on the promises of the last general election, especially in meeting basic needs such as school upgrading and improving the education system.
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Mr Khairy, who has been widely credited with directing the BN campaign strategy which swept Mr Badawi to a landslide victory in the last elections, brushed aside suggestions that the opposition had made progress since then.
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"I would argue that the opposition today is not as focused, not as ideologically driven and not as cohesive as when the Pas (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) was leading the charge (from 1999 to 2004)," he said, in an allusion to former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of opposition party Keadilan today.
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Looking to the future, he said that the issue of race relations remains a challenge for Malaysia, an issue which would have to be tackled with "maturity" and a "deft touch" especially with younger Malaysians.
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"I think the younger generation ... wants to talk about more things than the older generation. We have less baggage I suppose in that sense," he said but warned that as always, it would be best to tread carefully when discussing race as it can "stir up emotions".
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"I am not saying that we can't talk about it. We can. But we must do it in an atmosphere of utmost sincerity and openness," he said.
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And even when promoting racial unity, Mr Khairy stressed that the Government will not ignore the uniqueness of different races.
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"We are not going to make you say you're Malaysian and forget about the fact that you are Malay or Chinese. That is ridiculous," he said.
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"The success of Malaysia comes from the fact that we have our own heritage. The trick is how to work together — to strengthen the Malaysian identity. To me, that is going to be the key to the future."
It came of a surprise that this interview as on the front page, especially here in SG. Here we have a non-MP & non-government official clarifying on the racial matter in Malaysia. Is he speaking as UMNO Youth Deputy Chief or PM's son-in-law?
From the looks of things, it looks as if the imminent general elections will be kicking off soon. The signs are there. First a speech by our PM. Now his son-in-law. Painting a rosy picture? Or trying to win confidence?
...These issues ... have probably been politicised and blown out of proportion, and they may have somewhat affected the sentiments of the Chinese community ...
Trying to calm things down or just damage control?
... Mr Khairy defended the retention of the NEP-type policies ... But the Government has lifted the constraints of this policy in initiatives where it was trying to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) ...
Somehow these statements seems contradicting to me. I could be wrong.
..."But Malaysia was also looking into disparity within the other ethnic communities to ensure that no one is "left behind". And BN was making good progress, especially in the area of economic development. " ...
... "I am not saying that we can't talk about it. We can. But we must do it in an atmosphere of utmost sincerity and openness," he said ...
...And even when promoting racial unity, Mr Khairy stressed that the Government will not ignore the uniqueness of different races...
..."The success of Malaysia comes from the fact that we have our own heritage. The trick is how to work together — to strengthen the Malaysian identity. To me, that is going to be the key to the future. " ...
Honesty? Or just putting another show to the world? Somehow, we can't help but hope that there is an ounce of truth in that.
I am not a pessimist. I am a true believer. One that believes there is hope. Hope for ONE country. Hope for ONE nation. Hope for ONE Malaysian race.
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