Now MIC joins call to remove ‘race’ from official forms

The MIC has expressed support for a proposal to eliminate the need to name the race of an individual on all official forms in Malaysia.

The party's deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam (pic), said the move would not only raise the spirit of patriotism and love for the country but also foster greater unity among the people.

"It is a good suggestion because it will bring Malaysians much closer under one banner.

"It will also instill a spirit of 'Malaysianess' that gives priority to becoming a Malaysian race, that is more than being a Malay, Chinese or Indian," the health minister told a media conference after attending the ministry's monthly gathering in Putrajaya today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's DepartmentTan Sri Joseph Kurup had suggested that the government take the major step towards creating a single national identity by omitting the "race" category from all official forms in the country.

He said it was sad that Malaysians were still divided by racial and religious identity even after 50 years of independence.

A few years ago, People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas also voiced the need to create a "Bangsa Malaysia" (Malaysian Race) to strengthen understanding among the people. – Bernama