MALAY and religious-based parties like Umno, PAS and Bersatu need to work together to win the Malay vote in the coming general election, former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam said.

This, he said, was because their rivals in Pakatan Harapan have greater appeal as their political ideology transcends race and religion.

“If possible, that would be the most ideal because these parties share identical ideologies – defending the interests of the Malays and protecting Islam,” Musa said in a chat programme
titled “Building Unity and Cultivating Integrity” in Ampang, Selangor today

Musa said at the same time, Umno, PAS and Bersatu - in the event they do manage to work together – must give assurances that the non-Malays and non-Muslims will still have their place as Malaysians and their rights and freedom protected.

He said they must remember that there are also Malays, particularly the young ones, who find parties that accommodate diversity, like PKR, appealing.

“Not only non-Malays are drawn to such parties. Malays are too.”

Musa said Umno, PAS and Bersatu all share the same ideology – defending race and religion – and whatever little difference each party offers would actually split Malay support.

“Umno will say they are a Malay and Muslim party and PAS would say the same thing. Any party that is seeking Malay votes will all make the same claim.”

“There are actually no differences between Umno and PAS, or even with new parties like Bersatu. All have ideologies that are the same,” he said.

He said the Malay and Muslim-based parties need to widen their ideology to make them attractive not only to voters from one particular group.

“To me, those parties that consider themselves to be representing the interests of the Malays and defending Islam should also have a political ideology that is acceptable by all Malaysians.”

He said only DAP and PKR had succeeded in having an ideology that appeals to Malaysians on both sides of the race, religious divide compared to the narrow ideology of the Malay and Muslim-based parties.

“PKR, to me, could be considered as the most ideal party.”

Musa said if these race, religious-based parties could find a way to work together, it could pave the way for a two-party system in the country.

While Musa said a two-party system is good for the country, he doubted it could be successful due to the number of political parties with blurry ideologies.

Too many parties, Musa said, is of no use to the country if all they want is to win seats and the prime minister’s post.

He said there is now a mushrooming of parties in the country.

“Everyone wants to be prime minister, even Dr Mahathir,” he said in reference to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had formed a new coalition of Malay, Muslim parties.

“If I am not mistaken, he wants to be prime minister again.”

“He’s not alone,” Musa added. – September 17, 2022.