YOURSAY ‘And please, do not stop here but keep building up the momentum.’

Ex-envoy urges moderate Malays to take stand

David Dass: All moderates from all ethnic and religious groups should now find courage and inspiration to speak up. There used to be many individuals within Umno who represented moderation and who championed diversity.

We forget that Tunku Abdul Rahman, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak Hussein, Hussein Onn, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Musa Hitam, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Radzi Sheikh Ahmad were Umno minsters.

Even Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in his good days, was also a champion for modernity and he had little time for religious extremism. These were giants.

Are we going to allow these midgets from Isma and Perkasa write the agenda for our nation? Well, the 25 Eminent Malays have brilliantly articulated a statement we can all agree with. So come out strongly and support them.

YUNoAnon: To the 25 eminent Malays, your reminder and action is greatly welcomed and appreciated.

It is very unfortunate that the government tries so hard to differentiate and separate us by enacting useless laws and policies, yet lie about attempting reconciliation by wanting to close down vernacular schools and claim it is the one single factor that is stopping national unity.

Sirach: Former Foreign Ministry director-general Ahmad Kamil Jaafar and the other 24 eminent Malays deserved the full admiration of all Malaysians for making a stand for what is right.

The agents of disunity and intolerance must not be allowed to prevail. Where do you stand, Mr Prime Minister? Surely, silence will not do this time.

Headhunter: Thank you, G25. And please, do not stop here but keep building the momentum and broaden your support base. From the reaction and positive response so far, the vast majority of the rakyat are definitely with you.

This new wave is very important and critical in forging national unity and your voice is a clarion call to the Najib regime that we will no longer tolerate a small group of extremists that his government is silently supporting and encouraging.

We have to show the likes of Perkasa and Isma that they don't have the majority of Malay support as they claimed to have.

At some point in the near future, call for open mass support by organising walks and ceramah. We have to show the politicians that we have had enough of their lies, deceit and corrupt ways.

And thank you for trying to save our beloved nation from self-destruction.

Speak for All: Ahmad Kamil, I respect you for saying this: "Transgenders are also God's creation, and we have to protect God's creation in whatever form."

You are true to the religion that you profess. Syabas and God bless you always and your family.

Flamescanner: I wonder if the current crop of top civil servants shares the same perception or views as their retired counterparts; or has BTN (Biro Tatanegara) done permanent damage to the current generation?

Man on the Street: There is something unique about these 25 eminent Malays. Just trace their educational background.

I am very sure most of them are from English-medium schools from colonial times. That has created moderation in their views.

The main cause of polarisation and extreme views occurring now is basically inherited from our education system which was developed by the Umno-led government to serve their political agenda.

This present system of education is heading towards an unhealthy direction. Therefore, pockets of extremism from all races will continue to exist in our society until we come up with a new system of education which creates moderation as demonstrated by the 25 eminent Malays.

Pemerhati: Extremists like Isma and Perkasa, against whose activities and statements the 25 eminent Malays spoke, are Umno’s subsidiaries to create polarisation, extremism and discord as Umno feels such a situation would enable it to hold on to power.

Umno’s top people are terrified of losing power as they know that they will be brought to justice for the various wrongs and crimes (e.g. stealing billions through corruption and Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder) they have committed.

Thus PM Najib Razak and Umno are likely to use every dirty method they can think of to hold on to power. In view of this reality, Najib and Umno will regard the 25 as their opponents and a hindrance to their efforts to stay in power.

If the 25 wish to counter the Umno-generated extremism in some meaningful way they have to continuously and regularly counter the vitriol emanating from Umno’s subsidiaries.

Their occasional statements are likely to have little effect as they will inevitably be criticised, ridiculed and drowned by Umno’s subsidiaries.

Legit: The reality is that you cannot change anything when you are not in a position of power and influence. These 25 eminent Malays are now all retired but were all holding powerful positions before but they did not do anything then to correct the direction the country was going.

If you are really serious, get those who are currently in these powerful positions to say and do the things you are professing to do. Now that will have some effect and drive the nuts in Perkasa, Isma, Jais, Mais and what not into oblivion.

EmEmKay: Every time, I read a statement from the ‘25 Eminent Malays', tears well up in my eyes.

Thank you, Sir, for the concern and understanding, we should all work together to create a truly united and progressive Malaysia for our future generations.

We must put a stop to attempts made by extremists to sow racial discord and to tear our nation apart.

One statement will not heal 50 years of racism

May more Malays join the Group of 25

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