Malaysians want end to racial politics: survey
08-Feb-2008, Radio Australia
A survey of Malaysians shows they have outgrown race-based politics and overwhelmingly want the ruling Barisan National coalition to merge into a multi-racial party.
The Merdeka Centre research firm says Muslim Malays, who dominate the population, as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians no longer believe they are betraying their race by voting across ethnic lines.
It says people are now looking more at issues like the cost of living and are not weighed down by communal interests.
Changing attitudes emerged during the March elections, when the Malay-dominated coalition suffered an unprecedented setback as support swung towards a three-party coalition alliance led by the multi-racial Keadilan party.
