Malays must break fear they’re under threat, says Johor MB
Malays must overcome the fear that they are under threat in the country if they are to move forward and contribute to nation-building, said Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian.
“Since a long time ago, Malays have been frightened with the assumption that their position is now under threat...
Malays must overcome the fear that they are under threat in the country if they are to move forward and contribute to nation-building, said Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian.
“Since a long time ago, Malays have been frightened with the assumption that their position is under threat.
“This is no more than nonsensical political rhetoric propagated by those who cling onto political patronage.
“Even though there are many educated Malays now, we still cannot convince ourselves that there is nothing to fear by the Malays who clearly have rights protected under the Federal Constitution,” he said in his speech at the "Rise of the Asian Tiger" convention in Shah Alam today.
Right now, Osman added, the Malays have two options - either to continue an “emotional and irrational” narrative until they burn themselves or to take a moment and move towards change together.
“If we want Malaysia to become an Asian Tiger again, the Malays cannot be complacent with all their rights and privileges which had contributed to the Malays being left behind,” he said.
He referred to a book titled The Colour of Inequality by the prime minister's economic advisor Muhammed Abdul Khalid, saying it depicted the "bitter truth".
According to the book, the main reason why economic equality hasn't been achieved in the country is due to the attitude of some Malays which has become like a "thorn in the sides", he said.
The 'true meaning' of bumiputera rights
Some Malays, he said, have even begun to question the relevance of the Malay agenda as they believe it has become an obstacle to the Malays' development itself.
"The bumiputera Malays of this era can no longer stay in their own shadows until they become obscure and drown in their comfort," Osman said.
He believed that Malays in this era of globalisation had become prepared enough to stand on the same platform as other races in various aspects.
Thus, he urged Malays not to be "narrow-minded" in "expressing the true meaning of bumiputera rights".
"As big-hearted Malays, we should respect and hold onto the principles of the supremacy of the constitution to fight against those who say that the social contract practiced by Malaysia is an outdated contract, to the point of touching upon the position of Malays and Islam in this country.
"Defending the rights of Malays and bumiputera is not something that is 'racist'. The context should be understood more specifically by all the rakyat in this country, whether Malay or otherwise," Osman said.
