IT is not right to undermine hardworking Malays by telling them that they are not slogging hard enough, said Klang MP Charles Santiago.

The DAP leader was commenting on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call on the Malays to work hard to improve their standard of living at the Malay Dignity Congress held earlier today.

The gathering saw more than 5,000 in attendance, including Malay ministers and politicians from Pakatan Harapan as well as the opposition.

Charles said it was not right for the prime minister to tell the community that they are not working hard enough when there are many slogging to earn a good living,

The DAP leader said that there are hardworking and lazy people in every community.

He said the real issue was the distribution of wealth which is skewed towards the rich Malays and not benefiting the poor.

“By just harping about working hard alone is not going to solve the problem. The problem now is that the money that is going to the poor Malays is very insignificant compared to the subsidies the Malay rich are getting. That is really the issue,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“They missed the real point, that is thousands if not millions of Malays are in poverty,” he added.

He also said politicians, especially those who have lost traction, should not take advantage of such forums on the pretext of addressing the plight of the Malays to gain political mileage and shore up support to stay relevant.

Charles also touched on a speech delivered by the organiser and prominent academic, Zainal Kling, which had touched a few nerves.

Zainal had asked the non-Malays not to forget the kindness of the Malays and deviate from the social contract of this country.

Charles said the remarks bordered hate-speech and it was surprising that they came from a senior academic.

Stop targeting the non-Malays too

Meanwhile, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking also hit out at Zainal’s remark that other races could have their citizenships suspended if they break the social contract against the Malays.

Reminding that Malaysia does not belong to the Malays alone, he said the social contract that Zainal had described no longer existed following Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore’s agreement in forming the Malaysian Federation with Malaya in 1963.

He said this was clearly stated in the federal constitution and, therefore, Malaysia does not belong to the Malays alone, but also to the Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, Bajaus, Ibans and Dayaks.

“The question of inheritance does not arise anymore because through the Malaysia Agreement, Malaysia is not the land of Malays.

“So, I hope Zainal will understand clearly that Sabah and Sarawak did not ‘join’ but ‘formed together as separate entities’ the Federation of Malaysia, and he should (study the) Malaysia Agreement 1963 before using the social contract as a basis for his arguments,” Leiking said in a statement today.

He said it was unfair to blame non-Malays when Malays faced problems.

The Penampang MP said while he has not heard the full speech by Zainal, he was disgusted with what he had read from media reports.

“I am wondering who is attacking the Malays or whether there are any covert conspiracies to downgrade the Malays as Zainal alleges (the case) to be,” he added.

Leiking said blaming non-Malays or caving into protectionism would not lead Malay communities to progress or thrive.

“Yes, they may enjoy temporary vindication or a feel-good factor, but it will lead to a divided and polarised Malaysia.

“The Malays already enjoy benefits and privileges enshrined under the federal constitution, and continuously attacking non-Malays is unhealthy. Why? Because, since they have no special privileges and benefits, they will have to work harder (than the Malays) while, at the same time, are expected to contribute to the development of the country.

“But here, they are again blaming non-Malays and threatening them,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR leader Chua Thian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, said that it is quite common for government leaders to be a part of such congresses and conferences.

“I think there is nothing to be overly sensitive about having a different type of convention,” he said.

“What is more important is that I think the prime minister and other leaders brought a message that is consistent with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV) launched yesterday,” he said, while adding that nobody will be left behind under the new vision.

Tian Chua said the SPV also seeks to address disparity within ethnic groups, unlike previous economic policies which concentrated on bridging the income gap between races.

“That is the message PH leaders took to the conference,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Such engagements, he said also allows the government to listen to grievances on the group and understand why Malay support has deteriorated.

“Communities should not be overly suspicious of one another. Non-malays should not be too worried about Malays having a convention and similarly Malays should not only have a convention to spread suspicion on other groups. I think we need to have a more matured society,” he said.

Adding that there are several interpretations to the social contract, Chua said it has always been respected and many including himself has pledged their loyalty towards the constitution.

He also said that the use of the word “dignity” is also commendable and sends a positive signal as opposed to previous rhetorics such as Malay power and ketuanan melayu (Malay sovereignty).

“Dignity is a lot more meaningful. Dignity means we are professional, competent, do not take pride and also will not use undignified way to become rich. I think that also deserves compliments as it has moved away from the old rhetorics,” he added. – October 6, 2019.