A racist is one who dislikes a certain race or wants to go toe-to-toe with other races, the party’s communications director explained in welcoming the new party,
“Loving one’s own race does not equate to racism,” he told reporters when asked on the Islamist party’s opinion on Bersatu’s dual membership status at the Wisma Amanah Negara here today.
Also present were Amanah Strategy Director Dzulkefly Ahmad and Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Bahrin Shah.
The recent formation of Bersatu earlier this month drew flak from various quarters, including DAP’s youth wing which declared it would never work with any party that practices racist policies.
The new party, which is chaired by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, admits non-Bumiputera citizens as associate members who are prohibited from voting or competing for positions in the party.
Bumiputera citizens, including natives of Sabah and Sarawak, are eligible for full membership and voting rights.
The party’s protem president, Muhyiddin Yassin, meanwhile has also insisted there were no racial elements behind Bersatu’s formation.
Khalid however, hopes that Bersatu can help change the mindset of Bumiputeras in rejecting communal politics.
“Build a Malay-based party that is free of racism and focuses only on justice.”