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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Article 153 blamed for institutionalising racism


Speakers at a forum blame the Article for allowing racism to be institutionalised in favour of the Malays.
KUALA LUMPUR: Article 153 of the Federal Constitution is being used to institutionalise racism in Malaysia, said Human Rights Party adviser N Ganesan.
Speaking at a forum here yesterday, he claimed that the Article served as a vehicle to institutionalise racism in favour of the Malays.
The Article states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is responsible for safeguarding the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities. It also establishes quotas for entry into the civil service, public scholarships and public education in favour of the Malays and natives.
Ganesan also argued that Article 153 created a “two-tier citizenship” for the Malays and the non-Malays, which was reflected in the New Economic Policy (NEP).
“The development plan excluded non-Malays systematically,” he told the audience.
The HRP leader also touched on institutionalised racism within the education system, saying there were two different systems.
“There are two education systems whereby in one, a (particular) race is given all the facilities to study whereas in the other, the non-Malays have to find their own way,” he said.
He added that it was institutionalised racism that allowed groups with underworld links such as Pekida and right-wing group, Perkasa, to flourish.
‘Article 153 can be questioned’
Forum moderator and academic Lim Teck Ghee, however, disagreed that only the Malays benefited from institutionalised racism.
“The economic fruits were also taken by the non-Malays who colluded with the system from MIC, MCA and Gerakan,” he said.
Suaram director Kua Kia Soong also blamed the Article for allowing institutionalised racism to take root.
“The amendments made in 1971 to Article 153, adding Clause 8(A) allowed further racism,” he said, referring to the clause which allows the king to order for the increase of Malays into the civil service and military.
Kua also claimed that Barisan Nasional and Umno were using Article 153 to defend racism.
The last speaker, Azmi Sharom of Universiti Malaya’s law faculty, said that Article 153 cannot solely take the brunt for institutionalised racism.
“Article 153 must be read together with Article 8, which states that we are all equal. Inequality has to be allowed by the Federal Constitution with elements of reasonableness,” he added.
He also told the audience that the king had the real power with regard to the appointment of the prime minister and dissolution of the Parliament.
Azmi also brushed aside notions that Article 153 cannot be questioned as claimed by Perkasa. “We can question the implementation of Article 153,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, the UM lecturer asked: “Why don’t you defend Article 136, Ibrahim Ali?”
Article 136 provides for impartiality regardless of race for government staff.

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