PAS, PKR continue to demolish 'Malay supremacy'

Hadi, left

KAJANG - Despite threats and warnings by several right-wing politicians, the so-called 'Malay supremacy' concept continues to be questioned by Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

In his latest remarks, PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang lashed out at UMNO for insisting on 'Ketuanan Melayu" as a basis of its rule, saying the party no longer could boast of having leadership qualities like its past leaders.

“If there’s a ‘tuan’ (master), there will be slaves,” said Hadi.

Saying it was natural that the leadership of Malay-Muslims had come to be accepted by the country's different communities, Hadi however lamented that the Malays had failed to show good leadership.

"Unfortunately the Malay leadership has not been performing, is not responsible and does not show the face of good leadership," he said.

PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution (left) ‘thanked’ UMNO and its right-wing offshoot Perkasa for reminding Malaysians of the danger of narrow racial politics.

Saifuddin said the millions of ringgit spent to promote prime minister Najib Razak's 1Malaysia concept had been squandered as the two groups reverted to their racial politics.

“No matter how much was paid to international consultants, the narrow racial politics brought by UMNO and Barisan Nasional will not go away simply because it has become their flesh and blood,” said Saifuddin, in a reference to the government's controversial image consultant APCO who is tasked with packaging the 1Malaysia concept.

Saifuddin also took a swipe at UMNO and Perkasa for "hiding behind the Malay rulers institution" whenever they found themselves intellectually challenged.

“Actions like this are in fact an insult to the institution of the Malay Rulers as they do undermine the respect accorded to the position of the Malay Rulers which protects all citizens irrespective of race, religion or political belief,” he added, and repeated calls by party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for Malays to become dignified instead of falling prey to UMNO's culture of cronyism and corruption.

- Harakahdaily