KUALA LUMPUR: Make politics a force for unity instead of fracturing society, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA President stated that the current political tensions in the country must be moderated collectively by all Malaysians, even while preserving each other’s respective interests.

"Political parties and their members must act as agents of muhibbah to our multicultural community,” he said during the opening of the 2024 Political Economy Forum, jointly organised by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

He cited data from the National Unity Ministry indicating that the occurrence of cases related to 3R (royalty, religion, race) had risen 123% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

"The political challenge in today’s atmosphere is to address 3R issues that have been frequently manipulated by certain irresponsible parties," he said.

He added that both the government and opposition cannot claim to be overly "ultra-right" or "ultra-left" in a multi-racial Malaysia.

"We do not deny anyone’s rights but we must respect each other’s respective interests," he said, adding a Malay proverb that translates to not being selfish or working in isolation.

Later, Dr Wee said the government and opposition must find a common platform to create the political stability needed for the people’s wellbeing and economic growth.

He noted that without political stability, foreign and local investors would lack the confidence needed to generate sustainable and vigorous economic growth.

"Any decisions made will impact the people," he told a press conference during the forum.

He added that Malaysia needed to take advantage of opportunities arising from the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

"The opportunities we have now are very different from the past," he said.

Also present at the forum's opening were MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, INSAP chairman Datuk Dr Pamela Yong, Insap adviser Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad, USM School of Distance Education representative Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid and former minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/18/use-politics-to-unite-not-fracture-malaysia-says-dr-wee