4th September 2018
WHAT GOOD DOES THE ‘MELAYU BANGKIT’ RALLY HAS FOR OUR NATION?
The ‘Melayu Bangkit’ rally organised by UMNO leaders at Kampung Gajah, Pasir Salak, Perak on 1st September has courted controversy and criticisms by various NGOs and civil society. It causes tension, disharmony and social unrest among peace loving Malaysians. At a time when the nation is going through difficult economic and social stress, such a rally is least desired.
Patriot takes a serious view at the speeches made by UMNO leaders, notably Annuar Musa, Tajuddin Abd Rahman, Lokman Adam that accuse Pakatan Harapan leaders of failing to protect the Malay interests and that of the Malay rulers, fearing an eventual takeover of the federal government by a DAP-led or a non Malay government. These UMNO leaders obviously have lost their sense of reasoning. Their speeches are reflective of themselves being mentally challenged. They showed lost of respect for the elderly Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad by childish name calling, a conduct uncharacterised of the Malay culture where an elderly person is accorded due respect, setting a bad example to the young.
Patriot urges these UMNO leaders to conduct themselves as mature politicians and articulate national and social issues well, as this is the best way to redeem their lost credibility. They have to cease stoking and fomenting issues that can cause resentment among the Malaysian population. Otherwise the race-religious-centric party will see its speedy demise.
UMNO leaders ought to understand that the nation gained its independence from the British colonialist on the latter’s believe that a multi racial Malaya could survive the post independent period based on the examples of racial harmony, tolerance and unity set by our founding fathers.
The rights of the Malays and that of the Malay rulers are well entrenched in the Federal Constitution. If UMNO that had led the nation for the last 60 years still says that the Malays and the Malay rulers need to be protected, then there must be something seriously wrong with the previous government policies led by UMNO itself.
UMNO must know that it is their own failures that led to a situation where the Malays lost out in pursuit of their social and economic betterment, as compared to the other races, but with the exception of a few Malays due to their close association and kinship with the political leadership. We now know that there are already several Malays that are billionaires, but they prefer to remain anonymous.
In the pursuit of a new Malaysia, Patriot urges all parties, especially the UMNO leadership to set aside its feeling of animosity, if any, towards the newly elected Pakatan Harapan government. Abandon the unhealthy tactic to stir race and religious issues. By all means function as an effective opposition as check-and-balance to the ruling party.
The ‘Melayu Bangkit’ rally does not add value to the wellbeing and betterment of the nation and its people. Rather, it is a hindrance and a set back to our nation’s current strive for a united, progressive and prosperous Malaysian society.
BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)
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