PETALING JAYA, 27 Jan: Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, called for a dialogue to be held to discuss the issue of racial and religious unity, governance, transparency and accountability in order to achieve a solution called National Consensus.
Anwar, who is also the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader, also suggested for other important issues, such as endemic corruption, the people’s safety and the rising cost of living to be discussed across partisan boundaries.
Anwar said that this dialogue is very important because there are some of those who are deliberately fanning the sensitive issue such the ‘Allah’ word and racial issues, which according to him, may lead to undesirable situations if allowed to persist further.
“We cannot be complacent. This is because we are witnessing the actions of some parties who are trying their best to bring the country to the brink of destruction.
“We have yet to see such an effort since the events that occurred before the 13 May 1969 tragedy happened.
“Voices of hatred and anger, voices with bad intentions and filled with suspicion, and the voices of destruction and dilapidation are trying to destroy harmony, cooperation and understanding which we have built from the ruins of this tragedy,” said Anwar.
He also urged for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders to set aside partisan issues and show the spirit of true leadership to resolve the tensions and work to improve the situation.
“It is our moral responsibility, especially for those of us chosen to represent the people, to transcend partisan boundaries and move toward a national consensus to bring Malaysia forward,” said Anwar when delivering a special message before the Youth Dialogue With Anwar Ibrahim took place at the Sunway Hotel & Spa yesterday evening.
While touching on the issue of rising cost of living and safety, Anwar said that such issues affect all races, regardless of political ideology.
“Let us work together to uphold welfare and try to find a solution that is not burdensome.
“Instead of condemning our national security issues based on our imagination, let us help the police to combat crime and directly make our place of living, our schools, even our shopping centres, safer,” Anwar added.
Meanwhile, during the Youth Dialogue With Anwar Ibrahim which was held after the speech, Anwar answered no less that 20 questions covering a range of issues, especially related to the youth.
When answering a question, Anwar urged for those asking the Chinese and Indians to ‘return’ to India and China if not satisfied with the BN Government as issuing insane statements.
“These statements insult the people, (and) are insane. If that is the case, those who do not like the Selangor Government, please leave Selangor,” said Anwar in front of 200 attendees and was also broadcast live across the world through the TVSelangor portal.
