Umno grassroots reject Ku Li's backing of Malay identity proposal

Nabihah Hamid Zaim Ibrahim Nabihah Hamid, Zaim Ibrahim Updated 7 years ago · Published on 29 Sep 2018 8:09PM · 9 Comments

Umno members say they believe there is no truth to claims of disunity in Malaysia, pointing to the current peaceful state as evidence of a harmonious nation. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 29, 2018.

THE Umno grassroots have rejected seasoned leader Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah’s call for the adoption of a proposal to enable Chinese and Indians to be classified as Malays, so as to foster inter-ethnic relations.

They see the proposal as a threat to the special rights of Malays, who have lived on the land for hundreds of years.

Members said they believe there is no truth to claims of disunity, pointing to the current peaceful state as evidence of a harmonious nation.

Malacca delegate Rosmah Ali, 62, said the special privileges enjoyed by Malays will be eroded if their identity as a race is recategorised.

“We don’t agree (with Tengku Razaleigh). We are Malays, and this is our land. We don’t want to accept outsiders. It will add to the chaos. We Malays will remain Malays,” said the Tangga Batu Wanita Umno committee member.

A Youth member from Sepanggar, Sabah agreed, saying the country is known for its interracial harmony.

“I disagree (with the proposal) because of our (special) privileges (as Malays). For us Sabahans, there is no mixing of (racial identities) because our country is multicultural. There are Christians, and we still live together,” said Sepola Umno assistant secretary Hafizah Yakubah, 29.

“We are not racists, but we don’t agree to letting Chinese and Indians be (categorised) as Malays.”

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah (pic) says adopting the proposal made by Parti Kebangsaan Melayu leader Dr Burhanuddin Helmy when he opposed the Malayan Union in 1946 will enable Chinese and Indians classified as Malays to be considered for citizenship. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 29, 2018.

Wangsa Maju Youth deputy chief Amir Hakim Ahmad Dahlan, 38, said the proposal is impossible to implement.

“All this while, Umno has been fighting for Malays. I think the majority will not be able to accept other races as Malays.

“Let us retain our identities – the Malay identity, Chinese, Indian. But, let us respect one another. When we do that, there’s no need for any change. There’s no need to be like other people.”

Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, said adopting the proposal, which was made by Parti Kebangsaan Melayu (PKMM) leader Dr Burhanuddin Helmy when he opposed the Malayan Union in 1946, will enable Chinese and Indians classified as Malays to be considered for citizenship.

The proposal is contained in the 1947 People’s Constitution jointly drawn up by PKMM’s Pusat Tindakan Rakyat and Joint Action Council of Malaya, which was formed by Tan Cheng Lock, the founder of MCA.

“If the PKMM proposal is accepted, I am convinced race relations, which have blighted us so much in the past, will not resurface,” said Tengku Razaleigh in his address at the Malay Civilisation Board annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – September 29, 2018.

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Comments

  • No one to work. Everyday think of dedak money just to classify yourself as Melayu. 60 years of taking non-stop.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • On the contrary, the definition of a Malay only came with the Malayan Independence and defined the constitution. The deliberate corruption of the history of the Malayan peninsula by the UMNO led BN government is purely for political reasons.

    Posted 7 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • The Malay is over-reacting. I do not know any Malaysian Chinese who is dying to become Malay, except one....Ridhuan something.....

    Posted 7 years ago by Ramli Sirap · Reply

    • Ridhuan Tee bin Abdullah.
      His parents and siblings are ashamed of him.
      Chinese call him a running dog. He will be recorded in the local Chinese history as a dog

      Posted 7 years ago by Anjing kawan Kucing Comel · Reply

  • The definition of Malay as in the Constitution came about during the Federated Malay States which started in 1895. The definition could be found in the various kaws kf the FMS states. The definition continued to be

    Posted 7 years ago by Mohd Safar Hasim · Reply

  • We are now looking to colonise inhabitable planets in outer space, leaving our polluted earth & racial origins behind. We will be united as Hell when we encounter new monsters from there..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Umno has not changed.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • If UMNO could change, the sky would fall.
      For the benefits of the Malay, It must face the fate of demise.

      Posted 7 years ago by Anjing kawan Kucing Comel · Reply

  • Why not just get rid of racial classification altogether?

    Posted 7 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply