Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has voiced concern over growing unease within the Malay community, saying it reflects deeper questions about their position in their own homeland.
However, the Umno president stressed that acknowledging these concerns must not be mistaken for undermining national unity.
He said Malaysia has been through a prolonged period of transition since 2018, shaped by political shifts, post-Covid-19 economic strain, geopolitical uncertainty, global conflicts, and the rapid rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation - all of which have reshaped how people think, interact and plan for the future.
“It is in this environment that Malay anxieties have taken shape. They did not emerge suddenly, but accumulated gradually through prolonged pressures.
“Today, these anxieties are no longer merely perceptions. They touch on emotions, dignity, confidence, and broader questions about the position of our community in our own homeland.
“However, when we speak of Malay concerns, they should never be misconstrued as a rejection of unity. This is not about racism. It is about responsibility towards the core community that forms one of the pillars of the country’s stability, harmony, and prosperity,” he was reported as saying.
Zahid was speaking at the “Musyawarah Nasional” (national discourse) event, which was themed “Malay Concerns: What Are the Solutions?”, where he also proposed that the platform evolve into a “National Think Tank Lab”, becoming a space to test facts, separate perception from reality, and develop policy responses to current issues affecting the Malay community.
He said the initiative should go beyond airing grievances, instead bringing together intellect, data, experience, and resolve to address what he described as long-standing “ills” affecting the community.
Stronger safeguards for Islam, monarchy
The Bagan Datuk MP also called for stronger action against insults towards Islam and the institution of the Malay rulers, saying such matters must be handled firmly, fairly, and wisely to safeguard religious dignity, constitutional authority, and national harmony.
He warned that unease within the Malay community is deepening amid what he described as repeated provocations involving Islam and the Malay rulers.
Zahid cited examples including insults against the word Allah, jokes mocking halal practices, objections to the azan (call to prayer), and acts perceived as disrespectful towards the monarchy.
“Islam is the religion of the federation, and the Malay rulers are the pillars of national sovereignty. So when these two main pillars are disturbed, the people’s anxiety cannot be treated as a small matter,” he added.
While reaffirming respect for freedom of speech, he stressed that it must not be used as justification to insult religion, belittle the monarchy, or undermine the foundations of national harmony.
He further said it was timely to review and strengthen existing laws to ensure they remain relevant to current societal challenges.
Beyond religion and royalty, Zahid said Malay concerns also span the economy, education, national unity, and political stability.
Malay economic, education concerns
On the economic front, the rural and regional development minister noted that although Malays form the largest group of consumers and workers, their level of asset ownership remains relatively weak.
“This is no longer just about aid or subsidies. It is about asset ownership, market control, supply chains, and access to the future economy,” he said.
On education, Zahid highlighted a serious mismatch between graduate qualifications and industry requirements, urging greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway for youth advancement.
“The reality is that about 35.8 percent, or 1.96 million higher education graduates, are working in semi-skilled or low-skilled jobs that do not match their qualifications.
“This shows that the education issue is no longer just about access to university, but about the alignment between knowledge, skills, and industry needs,” he highlighted.
He also warned that rising racial sentiment and prejudice on social media could weaken national unity, calling for stronger efforts to preserve social cohesion.
“This unease is also evident when issues of language, identity, and national heritage frequently cause unrest, from debates over heritage food, to national promotional narratives that fail to highlight the Malay-Islamic roots, to the organisation of festivals that lack sensitivity toward local community values,” he said.
Zahid added that Malay politics must return to principles of unity, civility, and strategic thinking to ensure long-term political strength.
“Malay politics, still trapped by endless grudges, prejudices, and power struggles, will only shrink our position in our own arena. The Malays cannot continue to cheer in victory while losing their homeland.
“Malay politics must return to reason, civility, and strategy, not just to win elections, but to ensure that this race continues to hold the power to decide its own future,” he concluded. - Mkini
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