Clear agenda needed to prevent another 'whining' Malay rally: Zaid

Summary

• Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim says the May 24 rally must not become a public spectacle of whining and complaining about alleged threats.

• He adds that Malay dignity can only be restored with an honest examination of the hypocrisy of Malay leaders.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has called for a clear agenda for the upcoming Malay-Muslim rally to prevent it from turning into an embarrassing display of whining and complaining about alleged threats to race and religion.

“Instead, it must be a forceful message of change, to realise the full potential of the country; a country free of Mafia operators and where law and order rule.

“Malay dignity can only be restored by an honest examination of the hypocrisy of our leaders and a willingness to embrace new values of leadership,” he added on X.

For the movement to be meaningful, Zaid said the Malays need to be united in voting for the right political parties, just as the Chinese are united.

Additionally, he emphasised that the Malay-led political parties need credible leaders who can assure the multiracial population that the new government will be fair to all races and keep them safe.

“Promise the people to protect Petronas’ rights as custodian of our national assets in oil and gas at all costs. Oppose the earlier decision to confer on Sarawak the sole aggregator of oil and gas (in the state).

“Oppose and take action on any Sabah and Sarawak politicians who threaten secession from the federation. The federation and our national interests come first. Oppose and remove any leader from Putrajaya who abandons national interests.

“Demand a complete overhaul of Malay-led institutions like MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, so that they cease to be a political weapon of the Malay political elites

“The business interests of the Malay rulers need to conform to the provisions of the Constitution, ethical standards of transparency, and freedom from conflicts of interest,” he added.

Zaid said the Malay-led government must be God-fearing and demonstrate that the police and other enforcement agencies are capable of enforcing the laws fairly, without fear or favour.

“The dismantling of the monopolies relating to agriculture and items connected to food production.

“The dismantling of the powers of the prime minister to the extent necessary to give real effect to the interests of the rakyat,” he added.

‘Erosion of Malay-Muslim rights’

A coalition of Malay and Islamic NGOs will be holding the rally in Kuala Lumpur on May 24 to protest what they describe as the government’s failure to uphold the interests of Malay-Muslims in Malaysia.

Coalition secretariat chairperson Syed Hassan Syed Ali said the initiative was driven by growing concerns within the community over what they perceive as the erosion of their rights.

Syed Hassan, who also serves as president of the Malay-rights group Perkasa, said the rally is expected to draw up to 20,000 participants and representatives from more than 1,000 NGOs.

He added that around 700 Malay-Islamic NGOs have already confirmed their participation.

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