KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional's claims that the memorandum of Understanding on allocations for Opposition MPs threatens Malay and Bumiputera rights is a political move.
Umno Youth leader Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the concern seems more like a distraction from other parts of the agreement that they might not agree with.
"The opposition's claim that the MoU threatens Malay and Bumiputera rights feels more like a political move than a real concern.
"It's not the first time we've seen this tactic, where race and religion are used to rally support, especially in Malay-majority areas.
"It seems more like a distraction from other parts of the agreement that they might not agree with. By steering the conversation towards race and religion, they're reducing a complex issue into a simple, emotional narrative, and that's not helping anyone," he said.
On Sunday, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the MoUs contained conditions that could "jeopardise the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras" under the Federal Constitution.
He also criticised the drafts for conflicting with traditional, cultural, moral, religious, and local values.
Wan Agyl said PN's tactic of playing on fears might not resonate as strongly as it used to.
He said the bigger issue here is that by focusing on race and religion, Malaysia is at risk of becoming even more divided.
"Malaysia's strength lies in its diversity, and the more we allow these kinds of divisive narratives to take hold, the harder it's going to be to build a united future.
"Younger Malaysians especially are growing up with different values, more global in their outlook, and they might not buy into this old rhetoric," he said.
On the government's side, he said, releasing the MoU publicly was a smart move.
"Transparency is always a good thing, but just putting it out there isn't enough. Not everyone is going to sit down and read through these drafts, let alone understand the finer points.
"The government needs to actively explain what's in the MoU and clear up any misunderstandings before the opposition's narrative gains too much traction," he said.