Perkasa, ex-PKR Zahrain and Hishammuddin have criticized both Anwar and Wan Azizah for rejecting the 'ketuanan Melayu' concept. Perkasa Youth chief even went a step ahead by calling the PKR president a political 'prostitute'.
If Wan Azizah is being verbally abused and ostracised for rejecting institutional racism and mega hypocrisy, I would like to tell her critics that we would prefer to embrace a leader like than racial bigots like Perkasa leaders, Zahrain and Hishammuddin.
These bigots are certainly serving their own political interest and personal interest by claiming skin deep supremacy over other non-Malay Malaysians. The federal constitution is clear about equal rights for all citizens. What is the use of citizenship if all Malaysians are not legally, politically and socially equal?
Hishammuddin said PKR president Wan Azizah's statement on the subject clearly had political motives and was aimed at causing unease among the various races in the country.
"I would like to ask Wan Azizah and the PKR leadership, are they also rejecting the institution of the Malay rulers? What is being raised by PKR is clearly an attempt to belittle the Malays. We do not want the institution of the Malay rulers to be also belittled," he said in a statement.
Hishammuddin should not try to divert the whole attention and debate away from how Umno was trying to frame 'ketuanan Melayu'. It was not about the royalty. Their role has been clearly defined in the constitution. Malay rulers are respected for their symbolic prominence, reverence, and co-existence within the larger framework of a parliamentary democracy.
Wan Azizah and her party rejected the Umno version of 'ketuanan Melayu' which aims at deceiving the Malays about an imaginary supremacy. The truth is more than 96% of the poor are made up of Malays. Malays have problem holding on to the 30% equity since the NEP was implemented in 1970. Malays are still considered lagging behind the others in economic development and knowledge acquisition. Even Dr Mahathir conceeded that he was not qualified to study medicine.
Similarly, for the good of our Malay friends, we should reject the Umno's version of Malay supremacy too. They are merely using the special privileges, granted through a perceived constitutional supremacy, to enrich themselves and their relatives. Evidence are aplenty in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, the common Malays are left hoping for some crumbs from their 'Bapaks' (read Umno/BN).
It is a shame that some Malays and 'celup' Malays (e.g. Ridhuan Tee) have continued to blame the Chinese for all their miseries. They should remember majority of the Chinese do not have any blood relations with YTL, Berjaya, Genting, Malton, Public Bank or some other rich corporate founders.
Umno has an uninterrupted rule and dominance in the Malaysian politics since the independence. If it cannot help the Malays through the NEP despite being a self-proclaimed Malay champion, it is right time for the community to find a better champion. A true champion should be able to alleviate more Malays out from poverty and help them to acquire real knowledge and skills. Malays, under Umno rule, are merely 'jaguh kampung' (local hero).
Perhaps PKR Wan Azizah has a better plan for her own community. It is time we see more world-class Malay intellectuals and leaders.
Umno's 'ketuanan Melayu' is like smoking opium. It brings temporary ecstasy and joy but long term damage to the brain and body. It is time to treat the disease.
ST
If Wan Azizah is being verbally abused and ostracised for rejecting institutional racism and mega hypocrisy, I would like to tell her critics that we would prefer to embrace a leader like than racial bigots like Perkasa leaders, Zahrain and Hishammuddin.
These bigots are certainly serving their own political interest and personal interest by claiming skin deep supremacy over other non-Malay Malaysians. The federal constitution is clear about equal rights for all citizens. What is the use of citizenship if all Malaysians are not legally, politically and socially equal?
Hishammuddin said PKR president Wan Azizah's statement on the subject clearly had political motives and was aimed at causing unease among the various races in the country.
"I would like to ask Wan Azizah and the PKR leadership, are they also rejecting the institution of the Malay rulers? What is being raised by PKR is clearly an attempt to belittle the Malays. We do not want the institution of the Malay rulers to be also belittled," he said in a statement.
Hishammuddin should not try to divert the whole attention and debate away from how Umno was trying to frame 'ketuanan Melayu'. It was not about the royalty. Their role has been clearly defined in the constitution. Malay rulers are respected for their symbolic prominence, reverence, and co-existence within the larger framework of a parliamentary democracy.
Wan Azizah and her party rejected the Umno version of 'ketuanan Melayu' which aims at deceiving the Malays about an imaginary supremacy. The truth is more than 96% of the poor are made up of Malays. Malays have problem holding on to the 30% equity since the NEP was implemented in 1970. Malays are still considered lagging behind the others in economic development and knowledge acquisition. Even Dr Mahathir conceeded that he was not qualified to study medicine.
Similarly, for the good of our Malay friends, we should reject the Umno's version of Malay supremacy too. They are merely using the special privileges, granted through a perceived constitutional supremacy, to enrich themselves and their relatives. Evidence are aplenty in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, the common Malays are left hoping for some crumbs from their 'Bapaks' (read Umno/BN).
It is a shame that some Malays and 'celup' Malays (e.g. Ridhuan Tee) have continued to blame the Chinese for all their miseries. They should remember majority of the Chinese do not have any blood relations with YTL, Berjaya, Genting, Malton, Public Bank or some other rich corporate founders.
Umno has an uninterrupted rule and dominance in the Malaysian politics since the independence. If it cannot help the Malays through the NEP despite being a self-proclaimed Malay champion, it is right time for the community to find a better champion. A true champion should be able to alleviate more Malays out from poverty and help them to acquire real knowledge and skills. Malays, under Umno rule, are merely 'jaguh kampung' (local hero).
Perhaps PKR Wan Azizah has a better plan for her own community. It is time we see more world-class Malay intellectuals and leaders.
Umno's 'ketuanan Melayu' is like smoking opium. It brings temporary ecstasy and joy but long term damage to the brain and body. It is time to treat the disease.
ST
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