“There will be those who need more time to accept the reforms sought by Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he told FMT. “Liberals who desire quick changes need to understand that not everyone can take the pace that they can.”
He was voicing his support for the views expressed by PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli in a radio show yesterday.
Rafizi, in an interview with BFM89.9, said some rural Malays and some of their urban cousins might feel alienated if PH was too insensitive to their anxieties in its push for reforms. They could end up in the arms of Umno and PAS, he added.
Mujahid said he agreed that a fanatical rush for reforms could create distrust and fear among such Malays. He attributed such anxieties to “years of indoctrination” that the Malays had allegedly been subject to.
He said it was important to strike a balance between the interests of those who were progressive and those who were not.
Nevertheless, he added, PH must not stall in its quest for change. “We have to move forward towards a new Malaysia while accepting that there will be turbulence along the way,” he said. “We cannot be so wary to the point that we’re afraid of moving forward.
“But it’s not just the Malay issues that we must be aware of. There are also issues affecting Islam, and these can be very sensitive.
“Take, for example, the issue of Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department). There are people who say it’s no longer relevant and should be closed down.
“I prefer to take the middle path. When you talk about Jakim and Islamic affairs, you’re touching on the roles and responsibilities of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers.
“If we want to reform Jakim, we should discuss these reforms with the rulers.”
Mujahid also said the challenge to PH wasn’t the reforms themselves, but explaining them to the Malays and implementing them.
PPBM Supreme Council member Tariq Ismail made similar remarks when he spoke to FMT. He said urbanites needed to have a better appreciation of the feelings of communities outside their ken.
“Malays need time to catch up with the reforms PH is seeking, because of their indoctrination,” he said. “Don’t belittle them. Find a common cause and work together, keeping in mind that it’s all about how we communicate the reforms.
“We don’t want the Malays to go to the right wing if they feel threatened.”
Tariq noted that some rural Malays had rejected Umno in the recent general election, but he cautioned PH supporters against assuming that this meant they supported the current ruling coalition.