End racism to prosper, says Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN, July 28 Lim Guan Eng has called on Malaysians to unite against racial extremists and focus on the nations economic potential.

The Penang chief minister said in a speech last night that Malaysians must stand united and reject those who wish to divide us by preaching racial and religious hatred.

Lim said racial polarisation of the economy has caused a brain drain. File pic

If we want to benefit from equal opportunities and realise our human potential we must stop extremists from continually degrading others as inferiors so as to uplift ourselves.

Some politicians tell our children that they can never be good enough, that they need special rights and favours to survive. How do we build up a childs confidence if we instil this sense of inferiority that they need special assistance? the DAP secretary-general said.

Tensions continue to rise over race and religion since a landmark election in 2008 saw the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) lose its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament and five state governments.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has promised to push a needs-based economic agenda if it takes power, dismantling pro-Bumiputera affirmative action under the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced in 1970.

But Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia and Malay rights lobby group Perkasa have continuously warned of eroding Malay-Muslim power under PR and accused opposition figures of being foreign agents.

Although Datuk Seri Najib Razak has repeatedly promised economic liberalisation, the prime ministers reforms have continued to hit road bumps.

Demands from the hardline Malay ground for larger Bumiputera participation have stalled the RM50 billion Mass Rapid Transit project and scuppered land deals with UDA Holdings, a government agency tasked with increasing Bumiputera involvement in the urban economy.

Lim said in his speech at the Penang Club yesterd! ay that Penang has implemented open tenders despite BNs claim that Malays will lose out because they could not compete.

After three years 70 per cent of the tenders are won by Malays. Malays are as competent as others. It is not Malay contractors but Umno contractors who cannot compete, the Bagan MP said.

He said racial polarisation of the economy has caused a brain drain, with more than two million Malaysians migrating since the country gained independence.

Lim pointed out that despite having no natural resources, having a land mass 478 times smaller and only a fifth of Malaysias population, Singapores GDP of RM627 billion has surpassed Malaysias RM614 billion.

But, he said, Malaysia could catch up if we inspire hope by stressing on performance not privilege, expertise not entitlement and integrity not corruption.