A true, respected Malay speaks up for all Malaysians - Saddiq

At a congress in Shah Alam last Sunday, academics and politicians drummed up ethnic-nationalist sentiments in a bid to restore “Malay dignity”.

They issued warnings against non-Muslims and demanded, among others, that key positions in the government be reserved exclusively for Malays.

One political leader in attendance at the Malay Dignity Congress, however, said this was not the best way for Malays to get respect.

Instead, Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that a true Malay leader would speak up for all Malaysians.

“I believe the best way for Malays to be respected is to be respected not just among the Malays but respected among all Malaysians

“If you want to see a true Malay leader, it is someone who commands the respect of all Malaysians, who speaks out for all Malaysians, enhances unity and diversity, and ensures the culture of tolerance in Malaysia is good.

“It doesn’t mean that when you say these things, it makes you less of a Malay,” he told Malaysiakini in a recent interview.

He said this when asked about criticisms from non-Malays towards Sunday’s congress.

Among those who were criticised were Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who spoke at the event and courted flak from both non-Malays and Malays for allegedly disparaging both groups.

Defending his boss and party chairperson, Syed Saddiq said Mahathir’s speech was meant to spur the Malays to self-reflect and stop blaming others for their shortcomings.

He said this was in contrast with other speakers who blamed others for the failure of the Malays, demanded special treatment and denied the rights of others.

“In Tun’s (Mahathir) speech it was completely different. It was more of a moment of self-reflection, introspection, to find our inner strength and stop pointing fingers at others. To find ways for us to be stronger on our own.

“That’s the true meaning of restoring Malay dignity,” Syed Saddiq noted.

Previously, right-wing Muslim movement Isma chairperson Aminuddin Yahaya criticised Mahathir for his remarks at the congress, saying attendees had hoped for something positive but were forced to listen to the prime minister disparaging the Malays instead.

Mahathir also courted flak for describing the minorities in Malaysia as "foreign people" during his speech.

The premier had said the Malays were forced to accept these orang asing as the nation would not have achieved independence from the British.

Asked why he attended the congress, Syed Saddiq replied that he merely wanted to hear the prime minister’s speech.

“I really wanted to listen to my prime minister. I’m a Malay, I’m a Malay leader, the PM is as well, but I’ll always be a Malaysian leader,” he said. - Mkini