CORRUPT Malay leaders are the ones who have destroyed the race’s dignity, said Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, following yesterday’s Malay Dignity Congress that saw racist speeches and calls for other communities to be sidelined.

He said he had expected the event to discuss ways to help Malays develop their competitiveness, but instead, it turned out to be a session bashing other races.

“Even the political reconciliation gathering between Umno and PAS was not as racist as the Malay Dignity Congress.

“The congress lost all sense of dignity by reducing Malays’ concerns to the extremes of race and religion,” said the DAP leader in a statement today.

Ramasamy said he is saddened that the congress only served to show that even after more than six decades of Malaysian independence, Malay politicians are still unable to move beyond race and religion.

“In an age where Malays should be guided and sustained to develop a competitive spirit, these leaders are taking them on a road to the bottom.

“Non-Malays, the Chinese and Indians, are not the enemies of Malays. It is irresponsible and corrupt Malay leaders who have taken Malays down the path of no return.”

He warned that condemning other communities will not bode well for Malays and the country.

The speeches at yesterday’s congress never addressed the ways in which Malays could better themselves in terms of development, poverty eradication, and scientific and technological achievements, but kept harping on the old theme of challenges to the social contract and the question of who the country belongs to, he said.

“It was basically no different from other Malay gatherings, where the focus was on questioning non-Malays’ challenge to the social contract, (and reiterating) that the country belongs to Malays, and non-Malays should not exceed certain parameters.”

The fact that the event was organised by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Putra Malaysia has drawn criticism that institutions of higher learning should not be involved in race-baiting.

The congress’ chief executive, Professor Emeritus Dr Zainal Kling, in his hard-line opening address, reminded non-Malays that the country belongs to Malays, and warned those challenging the social contract agreed on by the nation’s founding fathers, which states Malays’ consent to migrants becoming citizens.

The event also saw presentations on the economy, education, culture and religion, on which resolutions were passed to ensure that only Malays hold top positions in Putrajaya and the civil service.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in his speech at the event, said Malays have to work harder, leading to an uproar by some pressure groups from the community. – October 7, 2019.