MUKTAMAR PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat has reminded the Pakatan Rakyat governments in Penang and Selangor not to sideline the Malay community in rural areas.

He said this is essential to break the notion that Malays cannot survive without Umno being in power.

"PAS Youth hopes that the Pakatan state governments, particularly in Penang and Selangor, which has a multi-racial composition, will show the best example that the fate of Malays is defended and upheld in the states' policies.

"At present, PAS Youth sees these aspects are not highlighted enough and more efforts need to be done particularly under the rural development and youth and sports portfolio," he said in his policy speech at the 55th PAS Youth muktamar at Dewan Choon Moi in Kota Tinggi.

Suhaizan ( left ) said affirmative action is still relevant to assist the Malay, bumiputera and other communities who are living in hardship.

"We urge the Pakatan state governments to continue with affirmative action policies in a sustainable and effective manner to truly defend the fate of Malays and other races that have been left out from the flow of economic wealth," he said.

He added that should Pakatan succeed, the idea that Malays cannot live in dignity without Umno would be "buried".

Multiracial effort needed to oust BN

Suhaizan also acknowledged that the Islamic party still did not truly understand the desires of Malay youths despite continuously urging party members to gain their support.

He called on the party to conduct the necessary researches to find the best approach in reaching out for their support.

Furthermore, Suhaizan said PAS also had to keep up with the latest communication trends, pointing out that dictators had fallen at the hands of "keyboard warriors".

"At the same time, we must also be careful and creative in conveying our message (online) as any slip of tongue or ‘poyo’ (silly) remarks may cause us to be punished with merciless trolling from netizens," said Suhaizan, whose use of internet lingo invited amused grins from the floor.

Suhaizan also emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation within Pakatan in a bid to defeat the ruling coalition.

"Pakatan Youth must first demolish the narrow racial walls among its supporters before a new Malaysia can be built based on the universal values of brotherhood," he said.

He added that BN, through its controlled media, had continued to sow racial sentiments in a bid to prevent the rise of a truly multi-racial coalition.

He cited the Putera-AMCJA alliance in the 1940s, a coalition of Malays and non-Malays leftist activists which posed a serious challenge to British rule and its leaders were subsequently jailed.

"This fact clearly shows that to counter the power and hegemony of BN's politics which has been entrenched since Merdeka, it requires a political power that is multiracial," he said.

Also present were PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and DAP Youth chief Teo Kok Seong.