Voters reject extreme racial and religious narratives

KOTA KINABALU: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the majority of Malaysians feel relieved and appreciate the decision of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election results which rejected the extreme racial and religious narratives brought by the Pakatan Nasional.

In his congratulatory message to Pakatan Harapan on Sunday, Abdul Rahman who is also Umno Sabah’s deputy chief opined that the agenda of moderation and stability brought by the unity government seems to have found a place in the hearts of Kuala Kubu Baharu voters.

“This is a good sign for the future glory of Malaysia that we need to rebuild. The victory of the unity government in KKB is hoped to breathe new life and narrative into the country’s political landscape.

“All races have a place in Malaysia. That has been the fact since independence until now. All races have contributed to and served the nation. Indeed, we cannot build the nation with extreme racialism and extremist religious approaches,” he stressed.

And what does the victory of the unity government candidate in Kuala Kubu Baharu mean?

To Abdul Rahman, the sweet victory is an endorsement or affirmation that the people indeed want a moderate political agenda and they want to return to the original DNA strength of Malaysia.

That original DNA, he pointed out, is diversity, variety and moderation that has successfully developed Malaysia.

“Congratulations to all the machinery and leadership of Umno and BN, especially to the President of Umno and the Umno machinery in Selangor who have tirelessly assisted the Pakatan Harapan machinery since the campaign began.

“Thanks also to the Kuala Kubu Baharu voters. Without realizing it, all of you have lit the torch of moderation and consensus. Our task after this is to ensure that the torch not only does not extinguish but becomes a catalyst for a movement to ignite the torch of moderation throughout the country.

“Congratulations and well done to the unity government,” said the Umno Tuaran division chief.

Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tao won the by-election with a 3,869 majority on Saturday.

Pang polled 14,000 votes against Perikatan’s Khairul Azhari Saut’s 10,131.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and Independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin lost their deposits after garnering 152 and 188 votes respectively.