960421

Asians in NZ may

from political party

to take part in polls

AUCKLAND: Asian migrants in New Zealand are likely to form a political party to take part in general elections later this year, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported here on Sunday.

The move comes as a leading opposition party, New Zealand First, mounts an anti-immigration platform that has attracted claims it is anti-Asian. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has denied he is anti-Asian, saying instead he wants New Zealand citizens "protected" from foreigners.

New Zealand will hold a general election by November at the latest, the first under the new mixed member proportional (MMP) voting system.

Malaysian born investment adviser Robert Hum told RNZ's Insight programme there would be an announcement within a fortnight on the establishment of an Asian political party.

"We realise there is only 3.5 percent Asian (population) in New Zealand but under the MMP scenario a 5 percent threshold means you have a number of seats in parliament," Hum said.

He said 12 percent of Auckland's population was of Polynesian migrants and the new Asian party would seek to form a coalition with them.

Hum said he had been asked to lead it although he did not believe it was a good thing.

"I think the Asian people are saying back to Winston Peters ' since you have used the race card in the forthcoming elections we have no other choice but to group ourselves under a race party as well'," Hum said.

The government's newly appointed race relation's conciliator, Fiji born Rajen Prasad told RNZ that he could not see how the formation of a racially based party would assist New Zealand race relations.

"If I look at Fiji, where indeed to a large extent that has happened, it has not been helpful and has led to difficulties that are known quite well."

Earlier this year Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad while in New Zealand was critical of the growing anti-Asian debate here. He has opposed the expansion of Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) to include Australia and New Zealand.

Hum told Insight it was important New Zealand become part of Asean and the planned Asian Free Trade Zone.

"If Winston were to continue with his anti-Asian debate and if he formed the next government I believe the chances of New Zealand being admitted into Asean would be zilch."

Peters told RNZ highly restrictive immigration was a common factor in the economic development of Asian countries.

"I know they will understand exactly what I am saying and have no difficulty whatsoever because they practice the same policies themselves, religiously and more strictly than New Zealand First proposes to do."-APP