Constitutional expert warns against Malay elite abusing quotas

Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi is concerned that the country's elite were using Article 153 on the special quotas for Malays to garner privileges for themselves, adding that there was a silent rewriting of the Constitution that was taking place. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 16, 2015.A renowned law academic has expressed concern that the country's elite were using Article 153 on the special quotas for Malays to garner privileges for themselves, adding that there was a silent rewriting of the Constitution that was taking place.

Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, speaking at a national unity conference in Kuala Lumpur, said that while the special position of the Malays was unique on one hand, there appeared to be a great deal of overzealousness in enforcing quotas even in areas where it was not allowed.

"And on the other hand there is under achievement, the non-Malays are saying you are overdoing it while the Malays are saying they have not reached their goal.

"So I think the answer is obvious, the elite are using Article 153 to garner privileges for themselves, resulting in the other Malays and natives not getting what they are supposed to get," he said when discussing the topic at the Nation Building and National Unity: Historical Perspectives conference.

- TMI