It is a great embarrassment for the nation that the main component parties of the ruling coalition are race-based and open to membership of one particular race only, said PKR vice-president N Surendran.

NONE “The ongoing Umno general assembly broadcasts this national shame to the entire country and to the whole world.

“Practically nowhere in the world are major political parties constituted upon the basis of race, as in Malaysia. Even Rwanda has abolished race-based political parties,” Surendran ( left ) added.

The Padang Serai MP said Umno's racial politics has polarised the nation and continue to build walls between the various races.

“Indeed Umno and the BN remain the biggest obstacles to national unity in Malaysia.

“Umno's refusal to open its doors to other races is deliberate and calculated. Unable to appeal to Malaysians through the normal politics of ideas and sound policies, Umno relies on the antiquated and discriminatory expedient of racial politics,” he added.

The results of the last two general elections, Surendran said, make it clear that Malaysians are against racial politics.

NONE “Yet Umno continues to hold Malaysia in the grip of a medieval type of race based and discriminatory politics.

“How do we explain to the younger generation why only a certain race can join a certain political party?

“Surely this creates a grave and negative effect upon the minds of young Malaysians. At a young age they are taught to sieve and separate Malaysians by the colour of their skin,” he added.

Surendran dismissed race-based parties as a moral outrage and a public obscenity.

“Umno and the BN are a bankrupt and corrupt political entity; they appear incapable of change, and unable to divest themselves of their racial thinking.

“It is the good people of Malaysia who must, with resolve and determination, consign race-based political parties to the rubbish heap of history,” he said.

Surendran urged Umno to open its doors to all Malaysians, or be doomed to political extinction.