‘Ketuanan Melayu’ vs ‘Ketuanan Rakyat’

Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ card increasing played up by Umno is to divert attention from the party’s internal problems following its unprecedented setback in last month’s general election.

The former Umno deputy president said this today at a hotel in Shah Alam when he was asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia’s ‘Ketuanan Melayu tercabar’ front-page headlines in the Umno-owned newspaper.

At a gathering organised by newly formed Barisan B Tengku Faris Petra told the crowd that it was not appropriate for other ethnic groups to seek equality and privileges accorded to Malays.

“We didn’t hear much about this (Malay rights) issue last month or before the elections. I believe their intentions are to divert the attention of everyone,” said Anwar.

He said that instead of the ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ concept, the more important cause is ‘Ketuanan Rakyat’.

“And when we say ‘rakyat’, it includes the Malays…especially the downtrodden ones and not the rich ones,” said Anwar, who is former finance minister.

“Our approach should be to help the people who are sidelined, denied their rights and opportunities. As such, it should include Malays, Chinese, Indians and other Malaysians,” he said.

Anwar Ibrahim