Najib's bumi plan ILLEGAL, IMMORAL & RACIST - Surendran

I refer to the Bumiputra Economic Empowerment plan announced by PM Najib on 14th Sept 2013 at UITM. Among the benefits announced are contracts worth billions from Petronas; a new Amanah Saham Bumiputra scheme; Mara, Tekun, Ikhtiar, Superb funds; race-based housing; GLC participation etc.

All these benefits are solely for bumiputras! This new racial economic plan is unreasonable, unlawful, unconstitutional and racist.

Article 153 of the Federal Constitution which allows very specific and limited quotas for Bumiputras, does not permit wide-ranging race-based economic discrimination as set out in this new plan.

The Bumiputra Economic Empowerment plan thus falls foul of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution and is blatantly discriminatory. Nothing in the Constitution allows the government to set up massive funds, share schemes, housing developments and contracts, for the benefit of one race only.

Such racial discrimination is not only in breach of our laws and Constitution, but also international human rights standards. It also reeks of massive immorality.

Umno a danger to the nation

Further, the PM states that object of the setting up of the plan is to reward Malay support for UMNO in the recent GE-13.

This is nothing short of punishment of non-Malays for voting opposition, and an attempt at large-scale political bribery of the Malay community. The object of the Bumiputra Economic Empowerment plan is thus completely illegal,racist and criminal in nature.

Economic improvement plans must be on the basis of need, and not on the basis of the race of the recipient.

Najib and UMNO/BN are once again threatening to set back the development of this country and are deliberately encouraging racial division and disharmony.

Najib and UMNO/BN have become a positive danger to the unity, peace and prosperity of this country. And they have recklessly embarked on this plan for the narrow political agenda of UMNO/BN.

This disgraceful new plan is the worst ever Malaysia Day present for this country and its people.