https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/s...st-malays-says-pm-anwar-in-retort-to-mahathir
KUALA LUMPUR - Being Malay does not give him the right to deny Malaysians of other races their rights under the Federal Constitution, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“I am a Malay. I respect the Malay culture, tradition, rulers and language, but that does not make me racist or deny the rights of others,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the opening of the International Malaysia Law Conference on Monday.
“We all have to take the position that the Constitution is very clear on the position of the Malays, but it is also clear on protecting the welfare of all citizens. The future is for all Malaysians.”
Datuk Seri Anwar questioned the insistence by certain quarters that the survival of the nation is dependent on whether it is “purely a Malay country”, which then comes at the expense of the rights of others.
His response came after former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad insisted that “Malaysia is a Malay country”, despite loud criticism from moderates who defended multiculturalism.
Tun Dr Mahathir also said the Constitution had never claimed that Malaysia was a multiracial country.
Mr Anwar described this as a last-ditch effort by Dr Mahathir to remain relevant after failing to hold on to the Langkawi parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election in November.
“(Mahathir) lost his deposit in Langkawi. I don’t think we should take him very seriously. Of course, this is his last desperate effort to be seen as relevant. I am going to make him irrelevant,” he said.
Dr Mahathir quit Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, the party he founded, on Feb 10 following its dismal performance in November’s polls. It was the two-time premier’s first election defeat since 1969.
Following this, the 98-year-old politician went on to pen a 12-point “Malay Proclamation” aimed at uniting Malays in the country.
Several leaders from opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional signed the proclamation in support of Dr Mahathir’s call.
Mr Anwar also took a swipe at the opposition for harping on race, questioning why this card is still being flashed around when there are more pressing issues affecting the nation.
“I can’t understand why we are still stuck when we are in 2023; we are not talking about governance, economic advancement or digital technology,” he said, adding: “We are fixated on who this country belongs to – the Malays or the Chinese, or the Christians.”
Mr Anwar said his administration will do all it can to move discussion towards one on nation-building. “If we fail in this narrative and discourse (of multiculturalism), we fail as a nation,” he said as he challenged those who supposedly champion Malays yet enrich themselves.
“They talk about Malay survival. I challenge them: If it’s true you want to help the Malays, then surrender half your wealth to the Malays,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
