The idea that the racism originated from the National Economic Policy (NEP) and Article 153 of the federal constitution which grant special privileges to Bumiputera and other indigenous people was sunk by panelist at a forum on Tuesday.

The forum entitled 'Uncovering the dirt under the racism carpet' pointed the finger at the Malay leadership in Umno.

NONE "I believe NEP and Article 153 are not the cause of the racism issue, but the Malay leadership under Umno," said Pakatan Rakyat coordinator Zaid Ibrahim ( right) .

Taking the example of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a supporter of the NGO Pribumi Perkasa Negara (Perkasa), he said this is a real problem in Malaysia.

" I think the Malay leadership under Umno has lost its perspective on the ways to move forward since the Mahathir era," he added.

Suaram director Kua Kia Soong concurred with Zaid, saying; " It is quite depressing that someone as important as Mahathir is conforming to the idea of race and the issue of pendatang .

He said race-based political parties such as Umno, MIC and MCA should have been abolished before promoting the ‘One Malaysia concept'.

The other panelist present at the forum and the launch of the book, Sweeping Dirt Under the Carpet organised by Komas, a human rights centre, was Perak Orang Asli Network founder-adviser Tijah Yok Chopil.

malaysia law conference indigenous people 311007 tijah yok chopil "The government is planting a cancerous virus in the soul of each orang asli by denying their land rights," said Tijah ( left ).

Tijah, who is also the secretary of the Network of Perak Orang Asli Villages, said the government should allow orang asli representation when any policy on the community is being drafted.

" The government always says that they are spending millions on the well-being of the Orang Asli, but in reality we hardly have enough water," she added.

She said the government should stop looking at the orang asli as a backward community and give equal treatment to all.