KLANG: The way Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had answered a matriculation student's question about meritocracy could have been handled with a more tact due to the sensitive subject matter.
Gunaraj George, who is Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the Sentosa seat in Selangor, said this could have been one way of addressing the matter.
"In his position, his primary duty was to be the voice of the government and the wider coalition he represents, where decisions are made collectively and not just by a single individual. The comments he made were indicative of the government's stance on the matter.
"However, the execution of his response, many would argue, could have been more tactful and empathetic, given the sensitive nature of the subject and the young age of the person posing the question," he said in a statement today.
Gunaraj said this stirred a debate on the balance between political leadership and social responsibility, which is a contentious and emotionally-charged issue among Malaysians.
Despite this, he said it was important for all quarters to maintain unity and stability within Malaysia's diverse society.
"Our shared goal must be to build a Malaysia where each voice, young or old, Bumiputera or non-Bumiputera, is heard and respected, and where one day opportunities are accessible to all without undermining the rights of any particular community."
Gunaraj, who was also a special officer for the Selangor Menteri Besar on community affairs, described the incident as a reminder for political leaders to promote a more inclusive environment for public discourse.
He urged the unity government and Anwar to reassure all Malaysians that their voices were vital and will not be overlooked.
He said the incident also showed the importance of active electoral participation and urged voters to support a unity government that was focused on the interests and well-being of all communities, aiming to build a harmonious and prosperous nation for future generations.
Several quarters had criticised Anwar's response to a question from a matriculation college student about the Bumiputera quota system during a dialogue in Penang on Saturday.
Some said Anwar was dismissive in his response and others urged him to apologise for speaking to the student in a harsh manner.
Others, however, defended him, saying the subject matter was very sensitive especially during elections, and that it had put him in a difficult spot.