DAP's proposal to accord the Orang Asli rights on par with Malays and other bumiputera contradicts the party's urging to abolish the bumiputera status, says Perkasa Youth.

DAP's veteran MP Lim Kit Siang yesterday urged for a constitutional amendment to extend special privileges in education, public service, scholarships, business and protected reserve land accorded to Malays and other bumiputera to the Orang Asli.

He said this is as the latter are Malaysia's "first and original bumiputera".

However, Perkasa Youth chief Azrul Akmal Saharudin said Lim's proposal goes against the party policy to abolish the division between bumiputera and non-bumiputera, as stated on DAP's website.

As such, he challenged the DAP to abolish its policy to remove the said policy to prove it is serious about extending rights to the Orang Asli.

"(The policy to abolish bumiputera status) goes against the spirit of article 153 of the federal constitution.

"Does the DAP have the guts to take up this challenge?" he asked in a statement.

"We remind the DAP not to play with words in an attempt to confuse Malays and the bumiputera, but walk the talk.

"We want the DAP to realise that Malays and bumiputera are smart enough to see through their false talk spewed to gain political support," he said.

'Fair doesn't only mean equal'

According to the DAP website, the party upholds article 153 which accords special position of Malays and protection of legitimate rights for non-Malays.

"At the same time, DAP continues to strive towards achieving equal opportunity and equal rights for all Malaysians, regardless of gender, race and religion.

"(The DAP also calls for) abolition of the division of “bumiputera” and “non-bumiputera” and the implementation of ethnic equality," the website reads.

Azrul Akmal said affirmative action is needed for the Malays and bumiputera to ensure fair division of the economic cake.

"This is important to ensure unity and socio-economic safety," he said.

"Fair does not only mean equal but to ensure everything is put in its rights place.

"The affirmative action for Malays and bumiputera, including the Orang Asli, is to ensure they can stand at equal footing with the non-bumiputera who no longer need economic crutches," he said.

The term bumiputera, coined by second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein does not exist in the federal constitution, but is often used by Malay rights proponents as an extension of article 153.

Article 153 refers to "reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits etc, for Malays and natives of any of the states of Sabah and Sarawak".

It does not include the Orang Asli, a catch-all term for the indigenous people of peninsular Malaysia.

Article 153 covers quotas for "scholarships, exhibitions and other similar education or training privileges...accorded by the federal government" and "permit or licence for operation of any trade or business required by federal law".

However, the article also states that no person should be deprived of permits or scholarships due to article 153 if he/she should reasonably obtain it.

It also states that the article does not breach article 136 which safeguards impartial treatment of civil servants regardless of race.