CONSERVATIVE Malay pressure groups are stirring controversy on issues such as ICERD and the Rome Statute in a bid to gain more influence, said sociologist and politician Dr Syed Husin Ali today.

“Malays are mostly conservative, influenced by feudal attitudes. We think of ourselves as subjects,” said the former PKR deputy president at a public forum organised today at Universiti Malaya on the matter of the Rome Statute and its presentation to the Conference of Rulers.

“This is seeded in our mentality, to be subservient to royalty. They (the Malays) are constantly in fear of being threatened by the minorities.

“This is why they (conservative Malay groups) use race and religion. This is why they use questions of ICERD and the Rome Statute to strengthen themselves. This is because the rulers represents Ketuanan Melayu,” he said.

Syed Husin said some of the rulers feel insecure because there are more people now who think royals are unnecessary.

“Economically, among the people, the king is seen as a robber of the people’s riches. This is what the royals are worried about.” – April 27, 2019.