Muhyiddin urges Malays to unite against threats from within

JOHOR BARU, June 23 — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin called on the Malays to rise and unite to defend themselves against threats from certain quarters within their own race. 

Muhyiddin said the Malays must be strong to face threats. — File pic

He emphasised that the Malays must be strong to face leaders who propounded ideologies which went against the grain of the religion, customs, lifestyle and culture of the Malay people because these leaders placed politics above helping their own race.   

“I feel it’s time to rise and strengthen ourselves today. I urge this as I realise the threats we’re facing are coming from within our own race, with ideologies which go against the religion, customs, lifestyle and culture of the Malay people which has been entrenched for so long,” he said in a speech at a chat session with leaders organised by the Association of Malay Heritage Johor (Warisan).  

Also present were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Warisan president Datuk Abd Rahman Yunos and more than 3,000 association members from the state. 

He said if the Malays did not unite to define their race, they would be isolated from the wave of development and even from the borderless world of today.   

“We cannot rely on welfare assistance, we must be independent. And this needs ability, support and co-operation from everyone across the board,” he added. 

He said the government was making efforts to ensure the Malay race was not left behind as mere spectators in the nation’s progress.  

He went on to urge Malay non-governmental organisations to work with the government to defend the race.  

“Leave development to the government but the effort to defend the fate of the Malay race should be shared by all Malay leaders to ensure we’re not left out of enjoying the prosperity of the nation,” he concluded. — Bernama