'Chinese have China, Indians have India, Malays only have Tanah Melayu': Sanusi

 

N SEMBILAN POLLS | The state election campaign has intensified following controversial remarks on race and religion by Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor, which drew sharp condemnation from Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Speaking at a rally in Jempol, the Kedah Menteri Besar claimed that the political power and economic foothold of the Malays are deteriorating rapidly and risk being completely lost within a decade unless drastic changes are made.

He also likened certain Malay leaders to “Buang”, the traitorous character in the classic film “Sarjan Hassan”, accusing them of compromising their principles and aligning with certain parties for personal gain.

Sanusi also launched broadsides against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, alleging that DAP’s “Malaysian Malaysia” agenda threatens the position of the Malay community.

“Malays have no other land. Malays only have this Tanah Melayu. Indians have India, Chinese have China, Cambodians have Cambodia, and the Siamese have Thailand. Where do the Malays go? Malays are only here,” he told an audience of over 300 people.

Expressing concern over the Malay community’s economic stake, which he claimed remains stagnant at 18 percent after 50 years, he called for a reunion between PAS and Umno to defend race and religion.

Insulting and divisive rhetoric

The remarks sparked criticism from Kampar MP Chong Zhemin, who described Sanusi’s rhetoric as an insult to millions of Chinese and Indian Malaysians.

Chong emphasised that non-Malays born and raised in the country are not foreign nationals but legitimate citizens whose sole allegiance lies with Malaysia.

Kampar MP Chong Zhemin

“Our ancestors helped build this nation. Generation after generation, we have worked, paid taxes, served the community, and defended Malaysia’s interests. No political leader has the right to question our loyalty,” Chong said in a statement.

He added that using inter-communal relations as political fuel is a dangerous, extreme tactic that threatens the country’s social cohesion.

Consequently, Chong urged the relevant authorities to investigate Sanusi’s remarks under applicable laws for incitement and stirring inter-racial hostility.

He demanded that Sanusi retract his statement and issue a public apology, while calling on BN leaders, particularly those from MCA and MIC, to clarify their stance, given that the comments were made on a joint BN-PN platform.

‘Seditious’

Joining the backlash, Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong condemned Sanusi’s remark as inherently racist and seditious.

Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong

He stressed that every Malaysian, regardless of ethnicity, holds the same blue identity card and that ancestral roots or linguistic abilities must never be used to link citizens to foreign nations.

Woo also firmly rejected any notion that non-Malays hold allegiance elsewhere, asserting that Malaysia is the sole homeland for all its citizens.

He then warned that accusing Chinese and Indian Malaysians of having foreign homelands is a dangerous falsehood aimed at undermining national identity.

Calling for immediate accountability, the youth leader urged the police to take swift legal action against Sanusi and cautioned that unchecked rhetoric of this nature poses a serious threat to the country’s peace, unity, and multi-ethnic harmony. - Mkini