THE resolutions passed at the recent Malay Dignity Congress, which included a call for all top government posts to be reserved for Muslims, could strain inter-ethnic relations in the country, said the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Suhakam said the resolutions also contravened the principles of equality and non-discrimination guaranteed in Article 8 of the federal constitution.

“Suhakam would like to reiterate our position that it is the right of the duly elected government to appoint the most qualified individuals of their choice to important positions,” said the human rights body in a statement today.

It said these qualified individuals should be appointed regardless of race or religion to fulfil their duty to serve all Malaysians and not just one group in particular.

Suhakam said that while it recognised the special position of the Malays and of Islam as the official religion of Malaysia as articulated in the federal constitution, it wished to remind all parties that Malaysia belonged to all Malaysians.

“Our strength comes from our diversity and we must work hard to protect it together,” it said.

Sunday’s congress for Malay dignity, organised by four public universities and attended by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has come under fire for its call to the government to spearhead the Malay agenda.

Chief event organiser Zainal Kling’s reminder to other communities of their “social contract” with Malays as well as Dr Mahathir’s labelling the non-Malays “orang asing” in his speech have drawn brickbats.
 
Quoting verses from the Quran, Zainal said Malays, who had “inherited the country for over 5,000 years” and were the rightful owners of the land, could always suspend their social contract with non-Malays if the latter continued to question Malay rights.

The speech has landed Zainal in trouble with the police which are investigating the case under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace as well as Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 for abuse of internet services. – October 11, 2019.