Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak yesterday claimed that DAP is not a multi-racial party, arguing that the party is largely Chinese dominated with a support base that is not reflective of Malaysia’s different ethnic groups.

I believe parochialism in Malaysia is still very much alive, and that race and religion will continue to be used and abused by politicians to garner support. That is why race and religious-based parties have continued to exist and thrive.

By and large, many Malaysians are being pigeonholed into racial and religious groupings due to political expediency. Most politicians probably know that multi-racialism is the way forward, but are unwilling to do so due to selfish ambition and short-term objectives. Hence, they disdain racism but at the same time, embrace it to the hilt.

It is, therefore, natural for Salleh to remark that DAP is a Chinese dominated party when he himself has come from a party based on race.

But more importantly, how do we evaluate whether a political party in Malaysia is truly multi-racial? Salleh has explicitly inferred that the party must have a multi-racial leadership with a support base that reflects the country’s racial composition.

Is this a good definition? We can draw so many inferences from here. First, only leaders from our own race or religion are able to formulate polices and take care of our interests.

Second, Malaysians are racists; we only support politicians based on race and religion, not based on competence, ability, ideas and character.

Judge political parties by substance, not form

Third, Malaysians are forever dogmatic and parochial - no amount of education and inculcation can ever change that.

I think each political party should be judged by its track records, policies and efforts made in multi-racialism. It does not matter if the leadership is dominated by one race, or the party is supported by one community, so long as the party has consistently pursued inclusiveness and multi-racialism.

We should all look at each political party in substance and not in form. I am not going to label Umno a racial party if - together with other coalition partners - it is able to provide leadership and hope for all Malaysians. I am not going to label PAS a parochial party, if it is able to demonstrate its inclusiveness and tolerance towards others.

Similarly, I am not going to label DAP a parochial party simply because it is dominated and supported by Chinese at this juncture. Surely we must look at their track records, their proclaimed policies and their attempts made in encouraging other communities to join the party.

It is almost a cliché now to say this: bad policies and poor governance will affect everyone, regardless of race or religion.

Politicians and political parties from our own race or religion can’t ipso facto put food on tables or shelter on our heads. Eventually, it is ideas, competence, integrity and adherence to good governance that will decide. These are colour-blind issues propelled not by the colour of our skin, but by the content of our character.