Former Selangor MB Mohd Khir Toyo believes that the 1Melayu 1Bumi movement is a natural reaction by the Malays to the consolidation of Chinese political power.

NONE “There are clear signs that there exists a movement to consolidate the political power of the Chinese after they already gained control of the economy,” wrote Mohd Khir ( left ) in a posting on his blog yesterday.

He cited as evidence how the Chinese in the recent Sarawak polls and preceding by-elections, have voted along racial lines in support of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition, against the ruling BN.

Mohd Khir claimed “most non-Chinese” viewed Chinese support of Pakatan Rakyat as a means to prop up the DAP, which he claims many alleged to be anti-Islam and anti-bumiputera.

“The support to the political consolidation of Chinese in the DAP is in order to erode and later abolish whatever special rights assigned  to the bumiputeras by the constitution,” alleged the former Selangor Umno leader further.

In the face of such consolidation of Chinese political power and threat to bumiputera special rights, Mohd Khir is of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with Malays to react with the 1Melayu 1Bumi slogan.

    

‘Depends on implementation’

“Racist or not, the slogan 1Melayu 1Bumi proposed by Zaini Hassan (of Utusan Malaysia ) depends upon the implementation, demands and wants of the movement,” he said.

He posited that if the aim of the movement is to unite the bumiputeras to preserve their rights and Islam, then it should not be viewed as racist and be hailed as a noble and legitimate movement.

However, if the movement’s purpose was to unite the bumiputeras in order to oppress and destroy the Chinese, then this concept should be seen as racist and resisted to the end.

“I myself will not agree to any concept that oppresses and destroys the position of other races,” concluded Mohd Khir.

The 1Melayu 1Bumi concept was mooted by Zaini in his column Cuit in the April 20 edition of the Malay daily Utusan , as a means to unite the Malays.

He immediately came under fire from moderates and the opposition for what they claim is a racist call.

While Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has dismissed the concept as Zaini’s personal opinion, the columnist has received full support and accolades from Malay rights NGO Perkasa, who have vowed to lead an open campaign under the 1Melayu 1Bumi slogan.