Wednesday July 30, 2008

Don’t ignore other groups, says Masing

KUCHING: Umno and PAS have the right to discuss Malay-related issues common to both parties but they should not forget that there are other groups in Malaysia, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Dr James Masing said.

He said he was not offended by the ongoing talks between Umno and PAS as both were Malay-based parties with the same culture and religious background.

“Let them have the right to talk among themselves provided that they do not ignore the existence of other groups in Malaysia. That is very important in a multi-racial society,” he told reporters after attending a talk by economist Prof Jeffrey D. Sachs on poverty and development at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

However, Dr Masing, who is also state Land Development Minister, said he disagreed with suggestions for Barisan Nasional component parties to be merged into a single party.

He said smaller parties would be submerged and their voices not heard if a single party was created.

“I think the structure of Barisan as it stands today caters for everyone and allows every party to have an equal say in policy-making.

“I think this is the structure that will work. I don’t think a single party for the whole of Malaysia will work,” he said.

More News