ON the eve of Malaysia Day, DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng called on Malaysians to stand together “to stop those exploiting extremism and racism to win power at the expense of national unity and integration”. 

The Bagan MP said the extremists, who are opposed to Malaysia’s diversity and an inclusive and multi-racial government, pursue a narrow narrative that is exclusive and intolerant of minorities.

Calling out their incompetencies in economic management, Lim said if they are allowed to rule, “Malaysia would set back decades”.

He said this was evidenced by their failed governance of states that remained poor and backward until clean water cannot be supplied. 

Only the unity government, he said, could ensure prosperity to the people with its competent and sound economic management.

“Despite newly minted apologists of Perikatan Nasional (PN) attempting to whitewash the green wave as the people’s rejection of the unity government’s policies, they have remained silent on PN’s racist and extremist statements. 

“The political equation will basically remain a battle between pro-unity government and pro-PN forces,” he said in a statement.

He said Malaysians in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak cannot be fragmented but must support the unity government that looks after and seeks to represent all Malaysians.

“The concessions granted to Sabah and Sarawak by the unity government is unprecedented and augurs a brighter future of a fairer sharing of power and resources.

“For this reason, those opposed to extremism and racism cannot afford to be divided but must ensure that Malaysia belongs to its citizens who are born, study, live, work, pay taxes and bring up their children here.”

He said while the unity government is not perfect, it has not made unforgivable mistakes but has remained committed to the fundamental rights of the people, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. – September 15, 2023.