As the appointment of PAS Assemblyman for Pasir Panjang Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar representing the third and smallest political party in the proposed coalition has not received the mandate of the CEC, DAP Perak Assemblymen will stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak Mentri Besar scheduled tomorrow. [No DAP CEC mandate for PAS Menteri Besar in Perak. Lim Kit Siang. March 12 2008]
As much as I am disappointed that Raja Nazrin chose to grant the office of the Chief Minister to a Malay councilor from PAS despite DAP’s performance, I believe the appointment is the right move. It is the best way to create a more equal society.
A Malaysian Malaysia, so to speak, can only be achieved through the participation of the Malays. It is a fact that the Malays dominate the demographics of Perak as well as Malaysia. More importantly, many of these Malays do feel strongly about the special position of the Malays. A dreamer of bangsa Malaysia must win over these Malays through reasons and that will take time.
Appointment of a Chinese as a Chief Minister in Perak so soon might cause a backlash from the conservative Malays. It signals a drastic change and gives no time to rehabilitate the conservative Malays’ mindset. That would only work to aggravate the Malays instead of winning them over.
The recently concluded election is the first time many Malaysians voted across racial and religious lines and DAP risks to undo that success.
Sir, you are risking too much, too soon. Do not risk it.
