Collaborate with Chinese business community to bring Malaysia forward, Zaid urges politicians

PETALING JAYA: Politicians must collaborate with the Chinese business community as the way forward for Malaysia, says Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

The former law minister said this referring to PAS’ announcement that it would not support the call to boycott KK Super Mart stores by Umno following the controversial socks issue.

“PAS has shown a practical approach to Malaysian politics. It is sensible not to be anti-Chinese for the wellbeing of the Malays and the country,” he was quoted as saying by FMT.

Zaid added that any racial games or boycott would not make a difference towards the well-established Chinese community’s position in the domestic economy.

“Collaboration with them (the Chinese business community), hard though it may be, is the way forward.

“If Umno is too proud to do this, they will suffer immeasurably at the polls. Then, they will be gone for good,” he added.

Zaid added that Umno’s call for a boycott of the convenience stores was from the party’s own “ignorance of real politics” and inability to look beyond racial politics.

In which, such actions by Umno have given the way for PAS to reach out and accommodate Chinese voters.

“PAS can show the Chinese that in terms of business development of the country, the party can be an important and not a threatening partner to the non-Muslims.

Zaid said the Chinese presence in Southeast Asia is strong geopolitically, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was seen shaking hands with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) international section and the incoming visit by China’s Premier, Li Qiang later this year.

Zaid, however, said it would not be easy for PAS to win over the support of non-Muslims as they would need to show assurance that they would provide a more accessible and freer society if the party came to power.

On March 31, PAS ulama wing chief Datuk Ahmad Yahya stressed that the party would not take part in the movement to boycott KK Super Mart convenience stores following the socks issues.

Ahmad stressed however that the party rejected any form of mockery against Islam and the leaders have urged for strict action to be taken against those responsible by the authorities.

On March 13, KK Super Mart became embroiled in controversy after photographs of socks bearing the word “Allah” were discovered being sold at its Bandar Sunway store, went viral.

The company’s founder and management issued an apology three days later, which Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Salleh rejected as inadequate.

Akmal instead called for a nationwide boycott of the chain in protest.

On March 22, the party’s supreme council gave Akmal its full backing.

Recently, two of KK Super Mart stores in Perak and Kuantan were attacked with petrol bombs, on March 26 and March 30 respectively.

KK Mart’s founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and his wife Loh Siew Mui, in her capacity as company director, were charged in court last week for intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims on March 26.

Also charged was Soh Chin Huat, owner of vendor Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, which supplied the socks.

All of them pleaded not guilty.