THE National Unity Policy launched by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday is nothing but “new wine in old wineskin”, said Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan.

He said the country has seen many policies being formulated in the past 58 years, all with the same vision for a better Malaysia.

“Each time with a change of prime minister, Malaysia saw a change of policy but none was successful to (make) Malaysia more prosperous, patriotic and united,” said Voon, a former DAP lawmaker.

Voon, who is now heading an independence-seeking party, said all the past policies “were carefully drafted with beautiful plans and Shakespearean language with the same vision”.

He dismissed them as “nothing more than rhetoric to ensure the sitting prime minister enjoyed his own legacy to stay in power”.

Muhyiddin yesterday launched the National Unity Policy and National Unity Blueprint 2021-2030 with the objectives of strengthening unity and national integration based on the federal constitution and Rukun Negara, to create a national identity and to mould Malaysians who appreciate and practise unity.

Voon said if Muhyiddin is serious about forming a national identity, he should scrap Article 153 of the federal constitution that safeguards the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, and legitimise interests of other communities in the country.

By removing Article 153, it will “put every citizen as equal with each other in social, religious, political, economic development and opportunities in government service”.

“When citizens are put equal, there will not be discrimination and cries of ‘Balik Tongsan’, ‘Balik India’.”

Economic policies that are geared to give advantage to one race, or group, should also be scrapped. – February 16, 2021.