Parties that champion one race bound to fail in S’wak, says Karim

PETALING JAYA: Political parties that only serve to champion one particular race are doomed to fail in Sarawak, says Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said this was the case in the past with parties like Parti Anak Jati Sarawak, Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia Sarawak and the original Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak, the Borneo Post reported.

While PBB itself is a Bumiputera-based party, Karim said its leaders recognise that Sarawak cannot progress without championing all ethnicities and working with parties that represent other races.

The state minister added that the PBB-led Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) subscribes to multiracialism in its set-up.

“Today, many people may still be inclined to champion their own ethnic groups. However, over many years in Sarawak, we have seen that anyone who relies heavily on ethnic politics will eventually fail.

“Even though PBB can form a government on its own, we still want to work together with Chinese parties such as the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) because Sarawak depends on all of us working together.

“Anyone who strongly promotes ethnic-based politics or champions a particular ethnic group will not succeed because it creates fear among other ethnic groups. What is most important is balance, fairness and justice,” he was quoted as saying.

While several parties in Sarawak claim to be multiracial, Karim said their followers and supporters tend to come from a particular ethnic community.

Separately, PBB vice-president Dr Annuar Rapaee said Sarawak must continue distancing itself from race-based politics to ensure a sustainable future.

The state deputy education minister said racial sentiments easily stir emotions and would end up undermining the state’s future.

“That is why Sarawak must continue to distance itself from race-based politics for a more sustainable future,” he said.