Language rights a fundamental Human right

In our country, the existence of three major races (in relative population size); Malays, Chinese and Indians and many other minority groups is a reflection of a multiracial social fabric.

These races have their own distinct identities and characteristics (descendant, language, religion, culture, economic and social activities and psychological make-up and others). The existence of them being different and at variance cannot be denied.

On the other hand, our political system is based on communal lines. The political concepts of the Alliance and Barisan Nasional government based on 'Malay Supremacy', 'special rights of the Malays' and 'Bumiputraism', were labels to deceive the Malays and the concept of "power sharing" to deceive the non-Malays.

Under the race-based rule of the Alliance and BN people of all races became victims of the policies. As a result of which there were protests and struggles by oppressed races to defend their communal rights to promote their own language in education, religion and culture. The reactive roles of these races should not be taken as a racist stand against nation building but rather are in defence of their own rights to survive in their own identities.