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Of durian, MIC, Najib and Umno's transformation
Published:  Jan 19, 2016 12:00 PM
Updated: 4:51 AM

The war of words on dismantling race-based political parties between Lim Kit Siang and both the past as well as present communications and multimedia ministers continues.

The DAP veteran has now roped in MIC to drive home the point that his party represents all Malaysians, a claim his critics often dismiss as a smokescreen for its alleged diabolical agenda to undermine the Malays and Islam.

In the 1969 general election, Lim pointed out, DAP had more Indian Members of Parliament than MIC.

This was the electoral contest that set the tone for the nation's bloodiest racial riots, an incident which still continues to haunt DAP and Lim.

Lim also responded to Ahmad Shabery Cheek ( photo ), who in line with his new agriculture and agro-based industries portfolio, presented the thorny argument that transforming a political culture is not as simple as opening a durian.

"In a way, Shabery is right," Lim said.

"If Umno opens its membership to non-Malays, no non-Malay would want to be an Umno member unless Umno changes its political culture from race-based to a Malaysian-based national party," he said.

However, Lim argued that even such a move would not be adequate.

"In fact, even as a Malay communal party, Umno has already suffered unprecedented erosion of support, not only from the Malays in general but from Umno members in particular," he said.

Training his guns on the Umno president, Lim accused Umno of using Malay unity as a clarion call to safeguard the interests of Najib Abdul Razak and his cronies.

Among others, he cited the RM2.6 billion political donation and 1MDB issues.

"Umno has more than three million members and over 21,000 branches.

"I have no doubt the overwhelming majority of Umno members and branches do not agree with Najib's prevarication and procrastination to avoid accountability," Lim charged.

He said If Umno is not prepared to undergo a twin political transformation to become a party for all Malaysians and to champion the cause of the ordinary rakyat, it would become increasingly irrelevant.

As for Shabery's argument, the veteran politician expressed disappointment that the minister chose to avoid a task because it is difficult and challenging.

"Where is the invincible spirit of 'Malaysia Boleh'?

"... A minister who endorses the culture of avoiding a task because it is difficult and challenging is not only a grave disservice to Malays, but also to Malaysians, as well," Lim said.

"Nobody suggests that opening its doors to non-Malays is an easy task for Umno, or there is a guarantee of sure success.

"The important question is whether it is the right and patriotic thing to do – to make the transition from race-based to Malaysia-based politics in the sixth decade of our nationhood," he added.

Previously, Shabery's successor Salleh Said Keruak said there was no reason for Umno to become multiracial as the party never claimed to be one, unlike DAP, despite it being Chinese dominated.

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