BARISAN Nasional (BN) must “segment” its election manifesto to address the respective needs of the country’s different races, former prime minister Najib Razak said.

The coalition’s advisory board chairman said there are things that all the races want but these are “generic” in nature, such as better education or better internet connectivity.

“Yet, for the general election, we have to segment it according to race.

“What do the Malays want? Religious issues, job opportunities, the chance to be hufaz (those who memorise the Quran) professionals,” he said in a speech at the BN Convention and 48th anniversary celebration in Kuala Lumpur today.

“What do the Chinese want? Quality education, less government interference so they can do business, because they are an entrepreneurial race.

“What do the Indians want? This is where we need to revive the Malaysian Indian Blueprint. The Indians are transitioning from estate communities to mainstream, but without skills or education, they cannot claim their rightful place in the mainstream economy, so they need the blueprint.”

Najib said a manifesto that catered to the needs of each race represented the “mutual respect and power-sharing” for which BN stood.

The former prime minister, who has been convicted of graft in the misappropriation of funds belonging to a 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) subsidiary and is appealing at the Federal Court, is still popular and influential within Umno and BN.

He said today that voters should “punish” both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, as neither had delivered their promises.

He also said BN supporters everywhere must identify their weaknesses in preparation for the general election, noting that in the Johor polls in March, BN’s supporters failed to turn out to vote in full force.

He added that the BN leadership was committed to helping Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob “make the right choice and the right decision” on when to call an election.

“The opposition is in disarray now, but BN is strong. We have problems but are still stronger and more united.”

Najib and others in BN, particularly the Umno leadership and those who are facing graft trials, have been pushing for an election to be held soon to ride on BN’s strong performance in recent state elections. Observers say early polls can also help the coalition resolve their corruption cases.

However, dissolving Parliament is the prerogative of the prime minister with the consent of the king. – June 1, 2022.