Malaysiakini.com（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
1. Tengku Faris: Non-Malays should not seek equality, 12 April 2008
by Andrew Ong
Kelantan Crown Prince Tengku Faris Petra said today that Malays had given into granting non-Malays citizenship and the latter should therefore not seek equality or special treatment.He said this during his keynote speech at a forum titled “Malay unity is the core of national unity” organised by the newly formed Barisan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu in Kuala Lumpur today.
Speaking to a crowd of about 1,000 people, Tengku Faris said the Malay rulers would be an umbrella to foster unity among all Malaysians, based on the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara.
“Therefore, the rakyat must unite and never raise issues regarding Malay rights and special privileges because it is a quid pro quo in gratitude for the giving in of citizenship (beri-paksa kerakyatan) to 2.7 million non-Malays into the Tanah Melayu federation.
“Thus, it is not appropriate for these other ethnic groups to have citizenship, only (later) to seek equality and privileges,” said Tengku Faris, who read from a 11-page prepared text.
However, the crown prince stressed that in an effort to unite the Malays, non-Malays also have rights that must be protected, such as in areas of religion.
As an example, Tengku Faris said non-Malays are allowed to practice their respective religions in peace. They must however do so in accordance with the law and “not be provocative towards Islam”.
“The Malay rulers are the head of the Islamic religion and Malaysia is a Islamic country (negara Islam), not secular. We have our own formula (as a country) which is different from others,” he added, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
He added that the effort to instil Malay unity and defend Malay special rights does not mean that other races would be ignored.
“In fact, if Malay rights and special privileges are taken care of and is not disturbed, it would ensure national harmony. It does not just benefit the Malays but all ethnic groups,” he said.
In his speech, Tengku Faris said the 12th General Election results have shown that the Malays are being “challenged” and thus Malays unity is of the outmost priority.
“The election results have shown that the Malays are disunited and are only seeking temporary material gains,” he said.
As the constitution provides that the Malays are the natives (penduduk asal) of Malaysia, Tengku Faris said every Malay must defend the constitution and Islam and this can only be achieved through Malay unity.
“We have to make an effort to unite. Don’t spilt up. Avoid polemics that can distance us. Ideology (and) having different interpretations does not contribute to Malay unity.
“Discussing about polemics such as Islamic state, secular state, welfare state... confuses the people... Resulting from this confusion, Malays are becoming more disillusioned,” he added.
2.The myth of second-class non-Malays, 17 April 2008
by Dr Mana
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Tengku Faris: Non-Malays should not seek equality.
It was in 1957 that we achieved independence. The British agreed to give independence to Malaya with the provision that the three major races could work out an amicable solution to sustain unity and harmony in the country. The Chinese and the Indians were given the rights to citizenship and the Malays were endowed with their special rights as stipulated in the Constitution.
Most of the Chinese and Indians of those days could hardly speak the definitive language of the country – Malay. The vernacular schools were retained and many Chinese and rural Indians chose these schools for their education. The government has not done enough to make the national school the definite school of the country – an absolute failure on the part of the government to unite the people.
The country has evolved since, though. Politically, we have failed to achieve what is ideal for a progressive country after 50 years of independence. We are still divided by the types of school our children attend to, the types of schools meant for people of different ethnic groups and the opportunities given to certain race groups in the country. Many have misused these privileges.
This is due to the political fallacy that has made many Malaysians still economically divisive by race and religion. Unfortunately, the politicians are those who have failed them with their own para-holistic ways to deal with many national issues.
For the country to progress, we need this fallacy to be corrected. The recent General Election saw a revolt of some sort by over 50 percent of the electorate who felt that racism is no more the formula to resolve our political and economic woes. In time to come, seemingly, we would see a generation of people who would undividedly call themselves as Malaysians and not Malay, Chinese, Indian or Others.
Unfortunately, there are still some unfashionable politicians who still harp on narrow racial and religious issues to gain power. This, alas, is no more viable as the general perception of Malaysians has changed.
Most Chinese and the Indians of today - including those who came from close neighbouring countries before Merdeka - are the second or third generation people of Malaysia. They have evolved into inheriting a Malaysian identity, but unfortunately some politicians would prefer to deny this fact for their own political mileage. They do not show loyalty to the countries their great-grand parents came from.
It is a social myth to say that the present generation of non-Malays should be treated as second-class to any other race in the country. The present breed of Malaysians has indisputably shown their loyalty to this country. They have learnt the definitive language of the country; they are also culturally immersed and their loyalty to the King is unquestionable. Malaysians of all races have involved into a nation of people with shared values, contributing to the economic well being of the country. Many have defended the country against undesirable elements and safeguarded the country from subversive groups to bring peace for all and sundry. In other words, many have even sacrificed their live for the love of Malaysia.
All Malaysians born in this country hence should be regarded as people of one nation. We should work politically and economically together to see that there is no more politics that harp on racism. Political parochialism to benefit a few power hungry politicians should no more be tolerated. All Malaysians should be treated equal irrespective of race, creed, religion or political affiliation for the country to progress. Talents of all Malaysians should be exploited to bring progress to the country.
More could be done if the national education policy is genuinely carved to cater for all Malaysians to be racially united.
Divide and rule was the colonial way of suppression. It will not work anymore in this country as people have become much wiser and know their basic rights as human beings – thanks for the enlightenment after 50 years of independence.
The poor in the country has to be given special treatment in order to uplift their economic well being irrespective of race. We should not question the Malay rights as stipulated in the Constitution but this should not be taken as a passport to deny the other races their rights and privileges as Malaysians. A civilised society would not condone the fact that there are people of superior and inferior race. Islam does not condone this doctrine either, as it is against the fundamental rights of all human races.
When we are politically wrong we need to have it corrected and diligently find solutions to ensure that all Malaysians are treated equal.
3. Constitution guarantees rights for all, 17 April 2008
by Arianna
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Tengku Faris: Non-Malays should not seek equality.
As a native of Sabah, my position is similar to that of the Malays of Semenanjung. Thanks to the British colonial government for ensuring my native rights that even our Malaysian courts today must respect and uphold. That include my right to own land. I am proud of my native heritage and the privileges that comes with it and I, for one, would jealously guard this privilege. I am certain my Malay brethren feel the same.
So when Tengku Faris made his statements that echo Umno's, I cannot help but wonder why the Malay leaders are so insecure when other Malaysians start asking for equal treatment. What exactly are the Malay rights that the Malay leaders are so protective about? What exactly are the rights that they are afraid of losing? Housing, education, health care, employment, the rights to own land, free speech and faith freedom?
These are but guaranteed constitutional rights for all Malaysians. And there is no question at all that the government of the day should deny these to all Malaysians especially the downtrodden, irrespective of their race and religion.
For 50 years, the Malays are a privileged lot but why are so many of them especially in the rural areas, still poor despite the NEP? Is the NEP a Malay right that could bring them out of poverty and towards progress? We already know the answer is ‘no’ because it is a proven failed policy. Are the non-Malays responsible for the economic situation of our poor Malay brethren when they are a privileged lot and whose rights are protected by laws just as my native rights are?
Does it means that when non-Malays ask for equality in housing, employment, education, health care and a piece of the country's economic pie, they are biting into the Malay rights?
So pray, tell what exactly are the Malay rights? And why exactly are the Malays - or for that matter their leaders especially politicians - are afraid of losing them when the Malay rights are protected by law?
The way I see it, the Malay leaders are only afraid of their own shadows. They are just afraid of losing their so-called 'Ketuanan Melayu'. Leaders who are comfortable in their tempurung under the auspicious of 'Ketuanan Melayu' of the Sultan Melaka and Hang Tuah by-gone eras.
Malay leaders who are desperate to hang on to power and authority would rather invoke Malay rights rather than move with the times (like our non-Malay brethren), accept challenges and compete with the rest of the world.
Sadly, while they are doing this they drag the whole Malay community down with them. Even when they are in power and Malaysia has always been lead by a Malay prime minister for 50 years, they have not helped the Malays much.
And for their failure, they blame it on others and make the non-Malays the scapegoat for even asking for equalities that our constitution guarantees for all Malaysians.
4. Non-Malays not 'permanent residents', 18 April 2008
‘Does Tengku Paris know what is the meaning of being a ‘citizen of Malaysia. What is the reason for not giving non-Malays equality with the Malays? Are non-Malays exempted from paying income tax?’
On Tengku Faris: Non-Malays should not seek equality
Tan, Joseph K: It is sad to know this statement coming from a crown prince. Does he know what is the meaning of being a ‘citizen of Malaysia’? If he relates his statements to being a ‘Permanent Resident of Malaysia’, then it is acceptable as most countries in the world do discriminate. But what is the reason for not giving non-Malays equality with the Malays? Are non-Malays exempted from paying income tax?
Do non-Malays not contribute to the development of Malaysia? History tells us that a united people from within a country are able to prevent a country from being conquered by external forces. For Malaysia to survive, we need to be united even though we are from different backgrounds. As long as a person is a Malaysian citizen, he/she should treated as a citizen and not a ‘permanent resident’.
Rafique: Malays with Umno’s mentality comes in many different shapes and sizes. He just happens to be a royalty that’s all. I believe time and the younger generation is on the side of fairness for everyone, regardless of race.
Pin Pan Dan: I suspect the speech was not written by Tengku Faris but by some mischievous Umno hack warning the non-Malays not to push their luck too far in the light of the reverses suffered by the Umno/BN in the last general election.
It is definitely Umno propaganda rejecting the people's wish for a Bangsa Malaysia and determined to perpetuate racial politics in upholding Malay (read Umno) hegemony, never mind Malaysia is a multi-racial society where all citizens are equal. It shows Umno's call to reinvent itself as nothing but just plain hogwash.
A Malaysian View: It’s definitely not popular statements from Tengku Faris.. What is the motive of the speech? What makes him think that? Being a prince of the rakyat, it’s rather ‘unprofessional’ to make such a statement in public.
I am proud to be a Malaysian in a multi-racial and multi-cultural society where we can all live together. I respect every individual regardless of race or religion. We shouldn't recognise an individual based on race or religion - we should recognise them on how they can contribute to society.
Everyone should be treated fairly with equality. All of us are Malaysians. We are on the same boat living on the same soil, we succeed and prosper together as Malaysians, and we suffer together too as Malaysians. We are all God's creation. And we should unite as one and not only unite as Malays only.
Golateott: Dear Tengku, you have gone back in time of your choice. Now how far back in time would you allow us to have the freedom to go? No, not far if I can make a guess. No, I would not wish to bring you back there too either because you have already made it pretty clear your are not going to be happy to go that far back and likewise, I do not think you like to go to the future without demanding a certain part of time stood still as a personal insurance maybe.
Dr Nedu: It looks like Tengku Faris forgot the history of Malaysia. The independence was granted upon the unity of the races. Otherwise, we would have been colonised until today. He is therefore wrong.
We, the citizens of Malaysia, have got all the rights that a fellow Malay citizen has. The Malaysian political system has failed and the rakyat rejected this during GE12. He is trying to hide the weakness the system.
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