MALAYSIANS must not leave the job of fighting the politics of race and religion to politicians and must speak up when such issues arise, said Works Minister Baru Bian.

The work and deeds of politicians would always be interpreted as being for political gain, which is why it is important for civil society leaders and Malaysians to stand against racial and religious rhetoric, he said.

“If it’s only us, then it’s very hard as people will see it as politics only,” Baru said in an interview with The Malaysian Insight ahead of Pakatan Harapan’s first anniversary in government.

“Our leaders from Peninsular Malaysia must speak out strongly, be exemplary and respond to these issues. NGOs and Malaysians in general should also stand up against racism.”

Coming from Sarawak, Baru said he has only had to deal with mainly native customary rights (NCR) issues prior to being appointed a minister.

Despite being in politics for many decades, the prominence of racial and religious issues in politics in the peninsula was something new to him.

“It’s a sad thing. But we need to be tough on our enforcement of the law. There are certain people who go overboard and when that happens, we have to be firm in taking action,” said the 60-year-old lawyer.

Baru said despite the drop in approval ratings, PH is doing its best to govern the country the way it believes to be the way forward.

“One of the things that we must take note is that many of us are new in the cabinet and governance. But one thing that is very important is our sincerity in doing our best to put the county back on the right track. That’s very fundamental.

“To put (in order) a country that has been ruled by one party for 61 years is not easy.

“We are aware of all the challenges and we are doing our best. We cannot have done it better,” said the Selangau MP.

Baru said most of his cabinet colleagues used to be in the opposition and often criticised the government.

“I heard that on the first day of work, the reception for some of my colleagues was quite hostile. I was fortunate that I was received well, as most of my career was in Sarawak.”

Besides combating the rise in race and religious politics, PH’s biggest challenge is how to revive the economy.

While the government has “done many things” to reform key institutions, the biggest challenge is to reform the economy as the people’s main concern is the cost of living.

On his ministry’s role to boost the domestic economy and create jobs, Baru said the revival of major infrastructure projects, such as the China-backed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is key to creating jobs.

“We need to address this so that people see real change that affects them in the short term. To get the economy moving again is not easy but I believe that construction is one of the main players to create jobs.

“Basically, the economy must improve as it affects people directly,” he said.

For himself, Baru said one of his main priorities is to make the Works Ministry more transparent and professional.

“There is the perception that my ministry is one of the corrupt places. So that is something we are trying to work on – transparency and professionalism.

“I wanted to start a hotline to hear directly from the public but the officers said the website already provides this.

“The next area we are working on is open tenders and efficiency.” – May 6, 2019.