PENANG: About 4,000 members of Muslim non-governmental organisations gathered peacefully at the Polo field here before proceeding to the official residence of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas in Jalan Utama to submit a memorandum.
The members from 20 Muslim NGOs under Yayasan Aminul Ummah Malaysia had started gathering at the field from 8 this morning in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebrations.
Its president Md Radzi Daud said the purpose of the gathering was to express unhappiness over the action of some people, including political leaders, who touched on sensitive racial issues, including questioning Malay rights and subjects related to ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy).
"Every race has their own rights and Malay rights were stated in the Constitution dated 1957 which was agreed to by all the races at that time," he told reporters.
However, he said the memorandum was to urge all parties especially political leaders not to question Malay rights and show respect to all races living in Malaysia.
He said the NGOs felt that irresponsible statements can stoke racial tension and disrupt harmony among the races living in the country.
"We want to put a stop to this and that’s why the gathering, themed ‘racial integration’ was mooted with the approval of the police," he said, adding that all the races living in Malaysia should respect each other in order to create a harmonious environment.
Bernama learnt that the group had initially planned for a procession from Jalan Masjid Negeri to the official residence of Abdul Rahman but since the police had only approved their permit for a two-hour gathering, the plan was aborted.
Bernama
29/12/08
The members from 20 Muslim NGOs under Yayasan Aminul Ummah Malaysia had started gathering at the field from 8 this morning in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebrations.
Its president Md Radzi Daud said the purpose of the gathering was to express unhappiness over the action of some people, including political leaders, who touched on sensitive racial issues, including questioning Malay rights and subjects related to ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy).
"Every race has their own rights and Malay rights were stated in the Constitution dated 1957 which was agreed to by all the races at that time," he told reporters.
However, he said the memorandum was to urge all parties especially political leaders not to question Malay rights and show respect to all races living in Malaysia.
He said the NGOs felt that irresponsible statements can stoke racial tension and disrupt harmony among the races living in the country.
"We want to put a stop to this and that’s why the gathering, themed ‘racial integration’ was mooted with the approval of the police," he said, adding that all the races living in Malaysia should respect each other in order to create a harmonious environment.
Bernama learnt that the group had initially planned for a procession from Jalan Masjid Negeri to the official residence of Abdul Rahman but since the police had only approved their permit for a two-hour gathering, the plan was aborted.
Bernama
29/12/08
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