KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that being Malay should not be used as a justification to deny others their rights under the Federal Constitution. While he respects the Malay culture, tradition, rulers, and language as a Malay himself, he believes that this does not make him racist or support the denial of others’ rights. Anwar made these remarks during a question-and-answer session at the International Malaysia Law Conference, stating that the Constitution is clear in protecting the welfare of all citizens and that the future belongs to all Malaysians. This comes in response to the assertion by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Malaysia is a purely Malay country, which has been met with criticism from advocates of multiculturalism.
Anwar argued against the notion that the survival of the nation depends on its status as a “purely Malay country” at the expense of others’ rights. He refuted Dr Mahathir’s claim that the Constitution does not recognize Malaysia as a multiracial country. Anwar dismissed Dr Mahathir’s statements as an attempt to remain relevant after losing the Langkawi parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15), stating that he doesn’t believe they should be taken seriously. Anwar further asserted that he will render Dr Mahathir irrelevant. This follows Dr Mahathir’s departure from Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) after the party’s poor performance in GE15, marking his first election defeat since 1969. Dr Mahathir subsequently crafted a 12-point Malay Proclamation aimed at uniting Malays, with the support of several leaders from PAS and Bersatu.
Anwar also criticized the opposition for focusing on racial issues instead of addressing more pressing matters affecting the nation, such as governance, economic advancement, and digital technology. He questioned why, in 2023, the country is still fixated on debates about who it belongs to based on race or religion. Anwar affirmed that his administration is committed to advancing nation-building and urged those who claim to champion Malays while benefiting personally to donate half their wealth to the Malay community. He challenged them to prove their intentions to help Malays by sharing their riches.
By addressing these important topics and pressing for an inclusive society, Anwar aims to move the national discourse beyond race and towards progress and unity. He emphasized that if Malaysia fails in embracing multiculturalism, it fails as a nation.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
