SHAH ALAM, Aug 16 — As a large part of local politics remain tied to certain races’ identities, Parti Keadilan Rakyat is pushing forward with its goal of uplifting its multiracial political platform, said vice-president Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He added that Keadilan’s courage isn’t just aimed at creating a new wave in Malaysian politics, but also to bring about national change.
“The Reformasi struggle mainstreams several issues previously thought of as odd, like reforms, democracy, fundamental rights, fair economic distribution, and government integrity,” he said in his wind-up speech at the Keadilan National Congress today, held at Melaka International Trade Centre.
He also said Keadilan’s establishment, a result of the reforms movement that kicked off in 1998, has made multiracial politics the party’s main struggle.
“In 1998, behind the torture Keadilan president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his family experienced, Keadilan was established as a multiracial party and we assuredly and confidently made multiracial politics the party’s new foundation.
“Previous attempts to establish multiracial parties like Parti Negara and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia didn’t succeed in making multiracial politics mainstream in the country’s political landscape,” Amirudin added.
He said Keadilan’s assertiveness in fighting the flow to uphold the truth has made it among the more resilient multiracial parties.
He added that the approach must be strengthened to emphasise government accountability, fair economic distribution, defence of needy groups, and administrative transparency.
Amirudin said this fight is important to ensure multiracial politics aren’t just a party identity, but form the foundation of a more just and inclusive country.
