A Gerakan leader has called for all race- and religion-based political parties to be banned in Malaysia.

Baljit Singh, the party’s national legal and human rights bureau chief, believes that it is high time to consider the move, as Malaysia has already been independent for six decades.

"I am making the call for all quarters, including the Pakatan Harapan government, to think about it rationally, without fear or favour, to consider banning these racial and religious parties.

"Allow only the multiracial and multi-religious parties to thrive.

"Because if we keep on having race- and religion-based parties, they will continue to stir up racial and religious issues and sentiments, which do not bode well for a country like Malaysia," he told Malaysiakini.

The middle path

Baljit was referring to Khairy Jamaluddin's remark that Umno will fail in the next decade if it veers too much “to the right.”

In a series of tweets last week, the former Umno youth chief had said that as “difficult” as it sounds, the only way for Umno to survive is to take the middle path.

Khairy was responding to Umno and PAS leaders saying that the appointments of three non-Muslims to key posts in the country’s legal system – chief justice Richard Malanjum, attorney-general Tommy Thomas and de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong – were causing Muslims to become restless.

Khairy added that Umno can forget about recapturing Putrajaya if it continues to play up racial and religious sentiments.

Out with the old

Baljit noted that his proposed ban on race- and religion-based parties would affect some entities in both Pakatan Harapan and BN coalitions.

"So, it is up to the current government to make the move, and for all Malaysians to think about the issue rationally and objectively.

"I am not advocating for any political party, whether in BN or Harapan. Isn't it time for us to sit down and consider to do away with these race- or religion-based political parties?"

Baljit also said that with Khairy openly urging a more "liberal" approach, he may find it difficult to work within his own party.

“If he wishes to remain in the middle path, I invite Khairy to join Gerakan.

"In Gerakan, we can then advocate for an end to race- and religion-based parties, as we have always been Malaysian-based.

"He can also help Gerakan move forward with other Malaysian based parties for the benefit of the country," he said.

After May 9 general election, BN was drastically cut down in size with most of its component parties – including Gerakan – exiting the losing coalition.