Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader M. Manoharan today called for all those born in Malaysia after independence to be accorded Bumiputera status, saying that this would truly unite Malaysians and give 1 Malaysia some meaning.
Fresh from being released from Internal Security Act (ISA) detention, M. Manoharan may well be courting trouble again with his speech at a teatime function today.
“I want to meet the prime minister to propose that we accord Bumiputera status to all Malaysians born here after August 31, 1957 to dismantle racial barriers,” he said.
In an interview with The Malaysian Insider later, he said that such a move might give PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia slogan of unity a chance of bearing some fruit, as it would be the first step towards recognising all citizens as equal Malaysians.
Recognising the sensitivities surrounding Bumiputera status, he explained that it was not meant to impinge on the constitutional rights and privileges of Malays.
“The constitution enshrines the rights of Malays, not Bumiputras, so they can still continue to enjoy their special status. I am not trying to take it away from them,” he said.
The Kota Alam Shah assemblyman added that, along with four other Hindraf leaders released recently from ISA detention, he would resume its 18-point demands to the government which includes affirmative action for ethnic Indians as well as protection for its schools and temples.
In his own capacity as a DAP assemblyman in Selangor’s Pakatan Rakyat government, he hopes to pursue some of these issues.
“I have a masterplan for Selangor. If we solve these three problems – Tamil schools, Hindu temples and graveyards or crematoriums – then we will have solved 90 per cent of Indian problems,” he said.
He said the state government had the power to end these Indian issues as it was in charge of giving out land titles.
“We are asking for nothing more than what are government obligations to its citizens. We are not asking to be prime minister, deputy prime minister or to be astronauts,” he quipped.
Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo told Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M.Manoharan that his demand to be accorded the Bumiputera status was against the Federal Constitution.
Manoharan should refer to history and the constitution on the rights and status of the Malays and Bumiputeras, the national language and Islam, he told reporters at the state assembly here today.
Khir, who is Sungai Panjang assemblyman, was commenting on Manoharan's statement that he would not wear a songkok at official functions as he had not been given a Bumiputera status and wanted non-Malays to enjoy the same rights as the Malays.
"It is rather strange that he does not want to wear a songkok. DAP assemblymen, who used to object to wearing songkoks, had worn them anyway when they were sworn-in as assemblymen, state executive councillors and state assembly speaker.
"The appointments were far more important than their principle then," said Khir.
He said non-Malays have not never been neglected by the previous state government.
mi1: khir toyo is a second generation "malaysian", as his father migrated here from indonesia.
Fresh from being released from Internal Security Act (ISA) detention, M. Manoharan may well be courting trouble again with his speech at a teatime function today.
“I want to meet the prime minister to propose that we accord Bumiputera status to all Malaysians born here after August 31, 1957 to dismantle racial barriers,” he said.
In an interview with The Malaysian Insider later, he said that such a move might give PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia slogan of unity a chance of bearing some fruit, as it would be the first step towards recognising all citizens as equal Malaysians.
Recognising the sensitivities surrounding Bumiputera status, he explained that it was not meant to impinge on the constitutional rights and privileges of Malays.
“The constitution enshrines the rights of Malays, not Bumiputras, so they can still continue to enjoy their special status. I am not trying to take it away from them,” he said.
The Kota Alam Shah assemblyman added that, along with four other Hindraf leaders released recently from ISA detention, he would resume its 18-point demands to the government which includes affirmative action for ethnic Indians as well as protection for its schools and temples.
In his own capacity as a DAP assemblyman in Selangor’s Pakatan Rakyat government, he hopes to pursue some of these issues.
“I have a masterplan for Selangor. If we solve these three problems – Tamil schools, Hindu temples and graveyards or crematoriums – then we will have solved 90 per cent of Indian problems,” he said.
He said the state government had the power to end these Indian issues as it was in charge of giving out land titles.
“We are asking for nothing more than what are government obligations to its citizens. We are not asking to be prime minister, deputy prime minister or to be astronauts,” he quipped.
Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo told Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M.Manoharan that his demand to be accorded the Bumiputera status was against the Federal Constitution.
Manoharan should refer to history and the constitution on the rights and status of the Malays and Bumiputeras, the national language and Islam, he told reporters at the state assembly here today.
Khir, who is Sungai Panjang assemblyman, was commenting on Manoharan's statement that he would not wear a songkok at official functions as he had not been given a Bumiputera status and wanted non-Malays to enjoy the same rights as the Malays.
"It is rather strange that he does not want to wear a songkok. DAP assemblymen, who used to object to wearing songkoks, had worn them anyway when they were sworn-in as assemblymen, state executive councillors and state assembly speaker.
"The appointments were far more important than their principle then," said Khir.
He said non-Malays have not never been neglected by the previous state government.
mi1: khir toyo is a second generation "malaysian", as his father migrated here from indonesia.
I am a third generation Malaysian, in that case, am i not more justified to become a bona fide bumi than him?? wat makes him a bumi then?
Constitution of malaysia can be ammended through 2/3 majority votes in parliament, if someone is really determined to uphold equality and the rule of law in our country, he can do it.
Malaysian Constitution has been amended more than 400 times in the past 51 years.
Then 1 Malaysia concept is for......???
They can keep the so called "title", who wants it? its not that anyone cares!but again. im not particularly infavour of the "malaysian malaysia" concept, or any other variants of it.
How will Chinese and Indians love this country when the young generations have much hatred than love for Malaysia as they were not treated equally in all aspects of their life.
1Malaysia is utter BULLSHIT
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