No reason to question top officers' integrity due to race, says Anwar
Race should not be a factor to cast aspersion on the integrity of those appointed to top government positions, according to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that officers who conducted their affairs in a professional manner must be supported.
"Of course, there are concerns among the Malays that should be addressed like poverty, inequality and marginalisation, but it has nothing to do with race," he told reporters in Penang today...
Race should not be a factor to cast aspersion on the integrity of those appointed to top government positions, according to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that officers who conducted their affairs in a professional manner must be supported.
"Of course, there are concerns among the Malays that should be addressed like poverty, inequality and marginalisation, but it has nothing to do with race," he told reporters in Penang today.
During a speech in Semenyih last Saturday, BN secretary-general Nazri Abdul Aziz said Muslims should hold the positions of attorney-general, chief justice and finance minister in order to uphold the Federal Constitution and Islam.
He also pointed out that the non-Muslims do not swear on the Quran when taking their oath of office.
Apart from this, Nazri said Malays should not be faulted for thinking that the authorities are not prosecuting anyone in connection with the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim since the attorney-general Tommy Thomas and the suspects are of the “same skin colour.”
Anwar said while some Malays have expressed similar views, he suggested that those appointed continue to work hard to prove their critics wrong.
The Port Dickson MP pointed out that in the West, Christian officers swore on the Bible while Muslims swore on the Quran when assuming their positions.
"There is no reason to suspect or suggest these people would be biased in their decisions, no reason to question their integrity.
"There were Malays entrusted with positions (in the past) and did their work well, but others were incapable, unjust and corrupt, some non-Malays too.
"Therefore, it is important to ensure that people entrusted with the posts conduct their jobs professionally, whether Malays, Chinese, Indians or others," he added.
Asked how he would deal with the likes of Nazri when he succeeds Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, Anwar replied: "We are in a more democratic environment now and must respect others, but we must be given the right to counter those arguments."
Nazri's remarks courted flak from various quarters, including leaders from the BN component party MCA.
Anwar don’t be so lembek. Call a spade a spade. You had Malays in the three jobs. All the 3 Malays made a fool of the people by being corrupted. Only goes to show that race is not a factor but integrity of the people holding the post. Nazri is one of those who should be hailed for sedition and for a long time
Sorry YB Annuar. You've to face reality in Malaysia today and also forever. Race is a factor not only in integrity but also in efficiency - and that is the truth about the sad state of affairs.
so Anwar agrees appointment of non malays to top position do cause unease among malays !!!!