Speaking to FMT, Saifuddin said it was ultimately up to the politicians to decide what they would do with the information gathered from the findings of a study that suggested that racial politics is still relevant in the country.

The former Umno deputy minister was referring to the study commissioned by the Centre For A Better Tomorrow (Cenbet) which indicated more than half of the population in the peninsula said they would only vote for an MP of their own race.

“They can either accept it as it is and go on practising politics of race and hope that they reap the fruits in the next GE (general election), or they can decide to go beyond race and push for the ending of politics of race.”

Saifuddin claimed PKR was taking the second option and upholding a doctrine of inclusive politics and moderation while BN was more “content” with maintaining the “status quo”.

He explained it was down to the political systems which different parties in Malaysia were practising.

“BN is practising consociationalism where each race is handled by its own party while PKR practises centripetalism, which is more inclusive, moderate and progressive.

“Everyone knows that the 13 member parties that make up the BN coalition are meant to cater to the particular races and ethnicities.

“Even Gerakan and PPP, which are supposed to be multiracial, are predominantly controlled by one race.”

However, he said he acknowledged that there were certain issues that needed to be attended to by taking into consideration the race of the people.

“You don’t send a non-Malay representative into a Malay ‘kampung’ and then tell them you understand the problems these Malays are facing.”