Gerakan President Mah Siew Keong slammed Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi for suggesting that Gerakan and MCA only contest in Chinese majority constituencies.

Puad was reported in Utusan Malaysia yesterday as also suggesting that all state Umno members resolve that Parliament and state constituencies with Malay majorities, to be contested solely by Umno.

“We should be working towards garnering the support of all communities and not segregate ourselves. Gerakan is a Malaysian party that represents all races.

“Such myopic views are divisive and absolutely unnecessary, as this is the sort of mentality that needs to be eliminated immediately, for BN to fare better in the next general elections,” said Mah in a statement today, calling Puad's call regressive and anti-1Malaysia.

Mah, disappointed over the fact that a BN counterpart had made this suggestion, said that unnecessary political limits would hamper BN's hope of securing a nationwide support in the next general elections.

“The country should move beyond racial politics in order to secure a better future,” he said, adding that he believes no community should be forsaken.

Mah, referring to the Umno-owned newspaper, noted Puad ( left ) as saying this call will not extend to Indian-based party MIC, there's no Indian majority constituency.

Puad was also reported to have said that the reason why the matter needs serious consideration is because Chinese support towards Gerakan and MCA is fading as they are now relying on Malay-majority constituencies for support.

He had added that if the 'tradition' of allowing the two parties to contest in a Malay-majority constituency is allowed to go on, then both parties will go extinct and become laughing stocks, especially DAP.

However, asserting that Gerakan has proven to be a viable and relevant force in Malaysian politics, Mah invites BN counterparts to “reflect and embrace a more inclusive perspective of Malaysian politics”.

“It is important for BN to enter the next electoral fray as a solid coalition with common understanding and strong commitment towards nation betterment,” he said.

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