Kit Siang: Despite dwindling numbers, Umno still harping on 'Chinese peril'
GE14 | DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang today questioned Umno playing up the spectre of "Chinese peril" despite the community's population having steadily declined over the years.
"The fears that Umno leaders have been generating to keep themselves in power – that if Umno is defeated in a general election, Malays will lose political power and become strangers in their own land – is a great double lie, for the Malays will not lose political power if Umno is evicted from Putrajaya," he said in a statement today...
GE14 | DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang today questioned Umno playing up the spectre of "Chinese peril" despite the community's population having steadily declined over the years.
"The fears that Umno leaders have been generating to keep themselves in power – that if Umno is defeated in a general election, Malays will lose political power and become strangers in their own land – is a great double lie, for the Malays will not lose political power if Umno is evicted from Putrajaya," he said in a statement today.
Lim pointed out that in 1957, the Malay population stood at 49.8 percent, with the Chinese population making up 37.2 percent, and that the numbers have shifted since.
"In 1970, Malaysia’s population comprised 44.32 percent Malays, 34.34 percent Chinese, 8.99 percent Indians, 11.89 percent non-Malay bumiputera and 0.67 percent others.
"In 2010, the percentage of Malays in the Malaysian population increased to 55.07 percent, Chinese reduced to 24.34 percent, Indians dropped to 7.35 percent, non-Malay bumiputera maintained at 11.94 percent and 1.3 percent others," he said.
Lim also highlighted the Statistics Department’s prediction that the Chinese population will continue to shrink to 19.6 percent in 2023, and 18.9 percent in 2035.
‘Malays won’t lose power’
"Why then do Umno leaders continue to beat the drum of the 'Chinese peril' in Malaysia?
"The incontrovertible fact is that Malays will not lose political power whatever happens to caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak or to Umno in the next general election," he said.
Lim added that in the 2013 election, 52.63 percent of voters were Malays, 29.68 percent were Chinese, 7.31 percent were Indians, 8.96 percent were non-Malay bumiputera and 1.43 percent were others.
Moreover, he noted that of the 165 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia, 114 were Malay-majority seats, 22 were Chinese-majority and 29 were mixed. There were no Indian majority seats.
"These triple demographic factors, which will be a continuing trend in the coming years, establish the overwhelming Malay predominance in the Malaysian political scene, and why there is no way the Malays can lose political power if Umno is defeated in a general election," he said.
Earlier today, Najib took to Twitter to accuse DAP of making use of Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I observe that Mahathir is actually being used (diperkudakan) by DAP to spilt the Malay votes, as though DAP had been good to the Malays.
"The truth is, when has DAP been good to the Malays, to Islam? Mahathir himself had said DAP is anti-Malay and anti-Islam," read the tweet.
Only bankrupt leaders would harp on insignificant issues. Talk on the BIG issues like FELDA scandals, FELDA stock fall, 1MDB, Malaysia Agreement for Sabah and Sarawak ( signed 1963... how many years ago ? )Other donw-to-earth issues are (1) cost of livings has gone up-- check prices of vegetables, fish, beef, mutton, pork, (2) Prices of houses and condominiums have soared to RM400,000 and above. How many middle-income earners can afford to buy them? What about the lower-income earners, Where are they going to live? (3) GST 6% on most items. Practically all consumers are hit. Traders, businesses, professionals have to pay GST; (4) Transport problem for commuters ;(5) Is it true that we have achieved high-income bracket ?(6) Are ROS and EC doing their jobs professionally and fairly? (7) Recognition of UEC ? Why do wed need credit for BM? a Pass will do. Why have History as a Compulsory Pass ? Is this relevant for studies in Universities? Medicine, Engoneering, Dentistry, Architecture. Do theswe courses require History for students pursuing such course?(8) Scholarships on merit -based.(9) Why are graduates finding difficult to get jobs in private sector? Is English deficiency the cause? How do you remedy this problem?(10) Vernacular schools need more classrooms because of great demand. Yes, look at these issues that touch the lives of most people.
UMNO keep worrying about the Chinese Malaysians overcoming the Malay votes! They should be worrying about the 3 to 4 million foreigners in the country! Surprisingly, these foreigners were the ones invited by UMNO into the country!
I think Tun M should counter Najib's onslaught that DAP is anti-Malay and anti-Islam otherwise Bersatu will then be accused of cooperating with ananti-Malay and anti-Islam party.
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