No way DAP a threat to Malay position, says don

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says it is “absurd” to think the DAP could ever threaten the position of the Malays.

“First of all, each citizen – and that includes politicians – must abide by the Federal Constitution. The position of the Malays is protected by that Federal Constitution,” said Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi.

3 December 2016

Sheith Khidhir Bin Abu Bakar

© Provided by MToday News Sdn Bhd Awang-Azman-Pawi.

He also pointed out that there were now several Malay DAP representatives, adding it was “highly unlikely” that these representatives would allow the position of the Malays to be jeopardised.

He said even if after all this the DAP still wanted to change the position of the Malays, other opposition parties would not allow it.

“Other opposition parties such as PKR, PAS and Amanah, having so many Malay members, will maintain a check and balance.”

Awang’s comments came after Prime Minister Najib Razak said in his keynote address at the Umno general assembly that the DAP would destroy Bumiputera rights and institutions reserved for the community should it come to power.

Responding to the statement, Penang DAP’s Zairil Khir Johari challenged DAP skeptics to look at what’s been happening to Penang under DAP’s rule.

“Tell us what Malay institutions have been dismantled and what Malay rights have been abrogated,” he said.

“Apart from our welfare programmes aimed at the Malays, the Penang state government has given prime land worth tens of millions for the purpose of building a shariah court complex and has also acquired non-Muslim land for the purpose of expanding a Muslim cemetery.

“Clearly both Malays and Islam are protected under our government.”

He dismissed Najib’s statement as an act of “desperation”.

“With his reputation and credibility gone, the only way to maintain power is to resort to scaring the Malays into fearing DAP.”

Meanwhile, DAP’s Syerleena Abdul Rashid criticised the content of the debate at the Umno general assembly.

“It is 2016 and Malaysians are well aware of pressing issues including the economy, depreciation of the ringgit, high unemployment and the rising cost of living.

“These issues should have been on the forefront of the assembly but they weren’t. That itself proves that Umno is too disconnected from reality and uninterested in helping Malaysians,” she said.

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/no-way-dap-a-threat-to-malay-position-says-don/ar-AAl45Jc