Break out of 'racial cocoon', opposition told
PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today asked the Pakatan Rakyat component parties of PKR, DAP and PAS to emerge from the cocoon of their narrow sectarianism and be fair to all the people.
PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today asked the Pakatan Rakyat component parties of PKR, DAP and PAS to emerge from the cocoon of their narrow sectarianism and be fair to all the people.
"The basic principle of the Pakatan Rakyat is to, firstly, melt down the narrow sectarianism. We will not win (elections) if we continue to defend outdated sectarianism and neglect the principle of being fair to all," he said at the first Pakatan convention in Shah Alam.
Anwar said it might not be possible for Pakatan to achieve victory (in elections) if the remnants of sectarianism in the people were not defeated.
He said justice meant giving attention to and taking care of the poor, who comprised people of all communities, and cited the famous motto of Confucius: "All the people in this world are brothers".
"I suggest the Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans destroy this
racist mentality. We need to uphold the principle of brotherhood of
mankind."
Anwar also said the three component parties of Pakatan should focus specifically on young people who, he claimed, gave their support to the opposition pact.
"There is a newfound confidence from the young generation of various races. And because of this confidence, we based our principle on which we are presenting today at this convention."
Guan Eng’s 5K concept
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, in his speech, said Pakatan should strengthen its position and rectify shortcomings to avert the toppling of any of its state governments, as had happened in Perak.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his speech, propounded the ‘5K’ concept for every Malaysian - ‘Keadilan’ (justice), ‘Kebebasan’ (freedom), ‘Kebenaran’ (truth), ‘Kebajikan’ (welfare) and ‘Ketakwaan kepada Tuhan’ (devotion to God).
Also present at the opening of the convention were PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, DAP chairman Karpal Singh and PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa along with 1,500 delegates from the three opposition parties.
1ST PAKATAN CONVENTION
Pakatan pledges sweeping reforms
Policy in place, next stop Putrajaya l VIDEO l 17 mins
Multiracialism reigns in Pakatan confab
Zaid: CPF a project of national liberation l VIDEO l 6 mins
Break out of 'racial cocoon', opposition told
Coalition's show of unity despite differences l VIDEO l 8 mins
DAP: We'll win over PAS on local council polls l VIDEO l 8 mins
PAS wants fixed polls, DAP vows to protect scholarship needs
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