KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution claimed today that Perkasa’s open attack against the party’s president was “not surprising,” and that PKR had been expecting a “volatile” response from Perkasa.
Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah today described PKR leaders as desperate for non-Malay votes, calling Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail a “political prostitute” for rejecting the concept of Malay supremacy.
He also likened Dr Wan Azizah’s remarks to an attack on the constitutional position of the Malays.
“This was something that we needed to make a bold stand on. The party’s principles on this remains clear. We will not compromise on this issue.
“In fact, we had expected Perkasa to come out with such remarks, we have been bracing ourselves for this. Over the weekend, much preparation was put into the speeches condemning the idea of Malay supremacy. And our view on this has not changed,” Saifuddin (picture) told The Malaysian Insider.
The Machang MP said PKR was in the process of drafting an official reply to Perkasa’s remarks, which would be done this week.
Besides Dr Wan Azizah, newly-minted PKR deputy president Azmin Ali had also during the PKR congress ridiculed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia concept, accusing Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) of continuing to condone racist policies in its administration.
“If we want our country and people to march forward then we must ensure the end of racist policies brought by Umno and BN. The national agenda should be based on needs not on race. This is very important.
“We must not be defensive when we want to reject the concept of Malay supremacy. Even though the media have relentlessly attacked us that we are traitors because we want to reject Malay supremacy but I want to proclaim today that we will reject Malay supremacy. We will carry people power to become the basis of the party’s struggle,” he had said.
The Federal Constitution lists down the special position of the Malays and other Bumiputeras, but there is no mention of Malay supremacy, a rallying cry popularised by Umno since the early 1980s.
Similarly, Dr Wan Azizah described Malay supremacy as a slogan used by a small group of Malay elites to cheat others.
She also called on the Malay community to become a dignified race and not to be obsessed with being a “master”.
In response, Arman accused Dr Wan Azizah today of having failed to understand the history and context of constitutional provisions that accord the Malays with what he said were special privileges.
He also claimed Dr Wan Azizah’s criticism against Malay rights was a rejection of the Malay Rulers’ sovereignty.
In reply to this, Saifuddin said Perkasa failed to understand the distinction between “Melayu bermaruah” (Malays with dignity)and “ketuanan Melayu”.
“The concept of Malay supremacy was a term created by the elite class in the past which excluded Malays in the bottom part of the social income group.
“Melayu bermaruah” means ensuring that Malays in this country had the means in which to live, eat, work to contribute to the country.
“If you look at figures, you’ll find that majority with household income below RM1,500 are Malays. So why talk about Malay supremacy when the needs of many poor Malays have yet to be met? The country has to go on a needs basis, those who need help will receive help,” Saifuddin said.
Another PKR MP, Yusmadi Yusoff, said the party’s rejection of the idea of Malay supremacy was merely a “re-emphasis” of what was already enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“We believe that the rights of all citizens can only be safeguarded and protected by going back to the spirit of the constitution. With enforcing the idea of Malay supremacy, this would be a direct contradiction of the promise listed by the constitution,” Yusmadi told The Malaysian Insider.
Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah today described PKR leaders as desperate for non-Malay votes, calling Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail a “political prostitute” for rejecting the concept of Malay supremacy.
He also likened Dr Wan Azizah’s remarks to an attack on the constitutional position of the Malays.
“This was something that we needed to make a bold stand on. The party’s principles on this remains clear. We will not compromise on this issue.
“In fact, we had expected Perkasa to come out with such remarks, we have been bracing ourselves for this. Over the weekend, much preparation was put into the speeches condemning the idea of Malay supremacy. And our view on this has not changed,” Saifuddin (picture) told The Malaysian Insider.The Machang MP said PKR was in the process of drafting an official reply to Perkasa’s remarks, which would be done this week.
Besides Dr Wan Azizah, newly-minted PKR deputy president Azmin Ali had also during the PKR congress ridiculed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia concept, accusing Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) of continuing to condone racist policies in its administration.
“If we want our country and people to march forward then we must ensure the end of racist policies brought by Umno and BN. The national agenda should be based on needs not on race. This is very important.
“We must not be defensive when we want to reject the concept of Malay supremacy. Even though the media have relentlessly attacked us that we are traitors because we want to reject Malay supremacy but I want to proclaim today that we will reject Malay supremacy. We will carry people power to become the basis of the party’s struggle,” he had said.
The Federal Constitution lists down the special position of the Malays and other Bumiputeras, but there is no mention of Malay supremacy, a rallying cry popularised by Umno since the early 1980s.
Similarly, Dr Wan Azizah described Malay supremacy as a slogan used by a small group of Malay elites to cheat others.
She also called on the Malay community to become a dignified race and not to be obsessed with being a “master”.
In response, Arman accused Dr Wan Azizah today of having failed to understand the history and context of constitutional provisions that accord the Malays with what he said were special privileges.
He also claimed Dr Wan Azizah’s criticism against Malay rights was a rejection of the Malay Rulers’ sovereignty.
In reply to this, Saifuddin said Perkasa failed to understand the distinction between “Melayu bermaruah” (Malays with dignity)and “ketuanan Melayu”.
“The concept of Malay supremacy was a term created by the elite class in the past which excluded Malays in the bottom part of the social income group.
“Melayu bermaruah” means ensuring that Malays in this country had the means in which to live, eat, work to contribute to the country.
“If you look at figures, you’ll find that majority with household income below RM1,500 are Malays. So why talk about Malay supremacy when the needs of many poor Malays have yet to be met? The country has to go on a needs basis, those who need help will receive help,” Saifuddin said.
Another PKR MP, Yusmadi Yusoff, said the party’s rejection of the idea of Malay supremacy was merely a “re-emphasis” of what was already enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“We believe that the rights of all citizens can only be safeguarded and protected by going back to the spirit of the constitution. With enforcing the idea of Malay supremacy, this would be a direct contradiction of the promise listed by the constitution,” Yusmadi told The Malaysian Insider.
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