Strengthening the social contract will improve ethnic relations, said a political scientist from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today.

"Something that have been agreed upon should not be disrupted (as) it has become the foundation of our ethnic relations.

p sivamurugan barisan 1malaysia gathering "This social contract must be strengthened for greater improvement," said USM associate professor P Sivamurugan ( right ) to applause at the Himpunan Barisan 1Malaysia today.

Speaking to some 2,000 participants, he said that disputing federal constitution articles that deal with the position of Malays and related matters "disrupts society's development."

He added that, in particular, such acts undermines ethnic relations.

He was referring to articles concerning the religion of the federation, the position of Malays, Bahasa Malaysia and the royal institution.

An international research into equality and justice, with input from Malaysian NGO Tenganita, recently noted that the federal constitution allowed policies of discrimination.

umi hafilda and ali tinju barisan 1malaysia gathering Meanwhile present at the gathering today, that Umno had repeatedly stressed was not organised by the BN , were anti-Pakatan Rakyat grassroots speaker Ummi Hafilda Ali, former PKR member S Nallakarupan and army veteran group chief Mohd Ali Baharom.

Ummi and Nallakarupan have constantly been paraded in public to accuse Pakatan leaders of sexual misconduct, while Mohd Ali once led a "butt exercise" in front of Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga's home after the massive Bersih 3.0 rally for electoral reform this year.

'Shun those who question'

In his presentation, Sivamurugan added that those who question such articles do not understand it and said it is up to majority who do, to defend the constitution.

"Shun people like these (who question the constitution). If other nations can acknowledge our nation's success, why can't its citizens?

barisan 1malaysia gathering pwtc crowd "How can we allow such people disrupt things? Don't compromise on matters of ethnic relations," he warned.

He added that only Malaysians can determine the nation's future and not "outsiders".

Himpunan Barisan 1Malaysia is a state organised NGO gathering costing "less than RM500,000".

Secretariat chief and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department on Thursday said the event will see no BN or Umno logos as it is not a political rally.

However, the hall in PWTC is wrapped with Umno flags, in preparation for the Umno annual general assembly next week.

Some attendees also came in BN shirts, including those on stage.

 

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