Strong Leadership Can Stop Opportunists Out To Damage Race Ties Says Wan Saiful

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PETALING JAYA: A PPBM leader has expressed worries over what he said was a deterioration in race relations in the country, but said it could be handled better if there was a more organised approach to addressing provocative rhetoric and encouraging open-mindedness
Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who is part of the PPBM Supreme Council, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had already argued for a shift in values and attitude in his book The Malay Dilemma published close to 50 years ago
“But to change the mindset of the people towards a new culture that he has talked about, will need a coherent strategy to be implemented by all quarters,” the former think tank chief said in a statement
His comments come in the wake of intense debate over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, or ICERD, which has generated social media comments some of which were seen as racially provocative
Putrajaya today backed down on its plans to ratify the global anti-discrimination treaty, after protests by Malay groups and political parties who accuse the government of trying to abolish special privileges for Malays as stated in the Constitution
Wan Saiful warned of groups who were out to stoke tensions for their own political interests
He said the situation was exacerbated by leaders who played to people’s emotions
He urged the people to embrace progressive values as emphasised by Mahathir, adding that leadership should be geared towards reforms, and not merely responding to sentiments
“A leader is supposed to lead, and not just reflect current attitudes,” he said
Wan Saiful said there should be greater interest in economic development, wealth sharing, welfare and strengthening of institutions
“A more organised approach needs to be thought out for people to be more open-minded. -FMT

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