Kajang, March 4- Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Kajang state seat by-election Anwar Ibrahim told a group of Malay youths that to understand the Indian community they needed to read and understand classical Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and the Thirukkural.
He said that it was vital for them to do so because it would enable Malaysians to better understand one another.
“Yesterday I met a group of Malay youths. I told them to read the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. I also told them to read the Thirukkural,” said Anwar who is Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader in Parliament.
The Ramayana is an epic poem that narrates a journey of virtue to annihilate vice portrayed by Prince Rama and King Ravana. It was authored by sage Valmiki.
Mahabaharata is a tale of war between cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Both texts are the greatest Sanskrit epics on ancient India.
“The Thirukkural is a summary of thoughts in Indian society touching on every aspect of life,” the PKR de facto leader explained.
Anwar was speaking at a dinner function attended by 150 Indian representatives from various NGOs, parent teacher associations, temple committees and associations at the Metro Prescott Hotel last night.
On the same theme he also encouraged Hindus to read the Quran.
“I am confident that this is the new Malaysia. I am still Muslim and Malay,” Anwar said.
He explained the insecurities present in the mind of the Malays and said that the challenge now was to change the Malay mindset.
“Malays see this land as theirs and feel like they are bowing down to the Chinese. My challenge is to break that perception.”
Anwar blamed the Umno-led federal government for the Malay community’s unreadiness to change their perception.
“They (BN) must be ready to lead because this will not make the Malays lose out. We need to build up the Malay community’s self confidence,” he explained.
Touching on the Indian community he acknowledged that there was a high percentage of the community getting themselves involved in criminal activities.
“Even though the Indian population is small, they are over-represented in Sungai Buloh,” he said in reference to the prison he was imprisoned in for six years.
The talk was part of Anwar’s campaign for the Kajang by-election.
Pakatan is fielding Anwar whereas BN has fielded MCA vice president Chew Mei Fun.
Kita party founder Zaid Ibrahim and dangdut singer Herman Tino are contesting in the by-election as independents.
The state constituency has 39,278 registered voters, majority of whom are Malays. Nomination has been set for March 11 and polling on March 23.
The Kajang state seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent assemblymen Lee Chin Cheh of PKR on Jan 27.
The state seat comprises 39,728 registered voters. At the last general elections in May, 2013, the seat saw a voter turnout of 87.9% with 541 spoilt votes. It has 48% Malay voters, Chinese 41%, Indian 10% and others 1%.
-FreeMalaysiaToday
