The Malaysian Insider | KUALA LUMPUR, 08-Oct-2008 – Two-thirds of Malaysians polled in a recent survey agree that the Barisan Nasional (BN) method of managing ethnic diversity is a key factor in political stability.
A survey by the Merdeka Centre also revealed that 55 per cent of Malaysians it surveyed agreed that BN represents the voice of all ethnic communities and is the best platform for inter-ethnic cooperation and power-sharing.
The survey also suggested Malaysians polled were evenly split when it came to the question of whether BN should become a single multi-racial party.
A total of 51 per cent agreed that BN should become a single party while 42per cent disagreed.
“It reflects that when BN was strong and united, we were politically stable. There was peace and we all made a good living and it helped grow the economy and kept everyone happy,” Labis MP Chua Tee Yong said.
Across the board, Chinese and Indians were not as supportive of BN while Bumiputeras, including those from East Malaysia, were happier with BN.
“It shows that BN is not a total disaster. If the majority of one community says it is still a working solution, you can’t totally chuck it out,” political analyst Khoo Kay Peng offered.
“The problem is they’ve taken racial politics to an extreme where the other communities are consistently disagreeing.
“Since BN sells on racial consensus it is a big problem even though you are still workable now because it means the slide will continue and boil over resulting in the Chinese moving to other parties.”
However, Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that this was only natural as Bumiputeras, being the majority community, must take the lead in any change.
“Bumis believe that the BN model is correct and any positive reform in ethnic relationships must start with them. And once these changes are in place, then the Chinese and Indians will return to the fold.”