MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Melaka must be developed by a multiracial team that recognises the Malay community as the state's majority and a key pillar.
He questioned the point of winning elections by sowing racial hatred at the expense of the next generation's future.
"What is the point of winning by sowing hatred among ourselves? What about our children's future jobs and the quality of their education?
"How can we reach for the stars in new technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy if we spend all our energy quarrelling?" he said at Stadium Hang Jebat tonight when announcing PH's candidates for the Melaka election.
Anwar also questioned why some quarters continued to resort to racial rhetoric, pointing out that DAP had not opposed policies to safeguard Malay interests despite being part of the cabinet.
"Why exploit racial rhetoric? When it comes to the Malays, we do more than talk. We approved Bumiputera land projects to protect Malay rights in Kuala Lumpur, and DAP is in the cabinet.
"We recently announced that government-owned land would be used to safeguard Malay interests in Kuala Lumpur, without taking land from the Chinese," he said.
He said DAP had neither protested against the move nor turned it into a communal dispute, questioning why the party continued to face attacks over racial issues.
Anwar said Malaysia remained one of the few multi-ethnic and multi-religious countries where people lived in relative peace, unlike countries where young people had taken to the streets over rising living costs and failed policies.
"Look at how many Malays, Chinese, Indians and Sikhs are gathered here together, reflecting our shared strength as Malaysians," he said.
Earlier, Anwar announced PH's candidates for 21 of the 28 seats in the Melaka election, which will be held on Nov 14.
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