Former minister Zaid Ibrahim has lauded a group of eminent Malays who in a widely publicised joint letter, had called for moderation amid the rise of right-wing elements, but urged more action from them.

 

"At last, some prominent Malays have decided to speak up to save the race and this country from becoming an Isis state. 

 

"Better late than never, and I hope they will follow up their public statement with more assertive and effective activities to stop the rot," Zaid said in a blog posting today.

 

The 25 eminent Malays include former ministry secretary-generals, judges, ambassadors and academics.

 

In the joint statement, they said it was time for voices of moderation to speak up amid the rise of extremists and immoderate elements such as right wing groups Perkasa and Isma.

 

They also urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( right ) to show leadership in stemming the vitriol of such elements which is taking a toll on the country's race relations and political stability.

 

Zaid said he too had been doing his part through his writings, adding that more Malays must be unafraid to speak up.

 

"They must want to stop Islamic bureaucrats and unscrupulous politicians from continuing to desecrate their values of education and culture. 

 

"The Malays can no longer depend on those who have traditionally protected or defended their race and religion, for they have all become wealthy and greedy. 

 

"The Malays have to take up the cudgel and fend for themselves for a change," he said in apparent reference to Umno.

 

'False teachings'

For example, Zaid said Malays must be exposed to various interpretations of Islam that are consistent with a modern world rather than only following versions dictated by authority.

 

He added that he expected religious authorities to accuse him of "false teachings".

 

"But that's the risk we must take if we want to save the Malays," he said.

Zaid said Malays needed to think independently and critically about economic, political and social issues.

 

"Is Umno really helping the Malays economically, as they claim to? 

 

"Is PAS really taking them to heaven, or is the party just a political tool to bring the ulamaks to Putrajaya?" he said.

 

To facilitate this, Zaid said he will be launching an online platform for such discussions dubbed Alpha Malays National Organisation (Amno).

 

"Amno is a grouping of Malays who are putting this Internet platform together to encourage Malays to narrate their views and experiences, so that other Malays can benefit from this exposure. 

 

"They just have to participate in activities and write about their experience - positive ones which can have a constructive effect on Malay thinking," he said.

 

Zaid said it may be uphill task to build a new generation of Malays that is independent but he said moderates must at least give it a try.