Najib’s defence of ‘red shirts’ an insult to Malays, says PKR Youth

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (pic) calls Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's controversial actions and failure in government as reasons that the reputation of Malays have been hurt. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 22, 2015.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s defence of the "red shirt" rally, or Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu, is an insult to the community, PKR Youth leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said today.

Nik Nazmi also said the statement was further proof that Najib had abdicated his responsibility to lead the nation, and was instead more interested in saving his own political career.

"Najib, in claiming that the 'red shirt' rally was to 'defend the dignity of the Malays', is not only throwing the non-Malays under the bus but also insulting the intelligence of the Malay community. This does not embody Islam's mission as a blessing to the world.

"If anything, it is his controversial actions and failures in government that have hurt the reputation of the Malays, not only nationally but also on the world stage.

"All Malays, from the kampungs to the cities, should wake up to the fact that Najib is only interested in his self-preservation,” Nik Nazmi said in a statement today.

After the "red shirt" rally led by the National Silat Federation (Pesaka) on Malaysia Day, Najib had defended the gathering, saying that it was also to defend the country’s leadership from being condemned and humiliated.

Najib also said the Malays were being patient despite several illegal rallies organised in the past to challenge the dignity of the Malays, and that the Bersih 4 rally on August 29 and 30, where pictures of himself and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had been stomped on, was the last straw.

“The Malays will stand up when their pride is scarred, when their leader is insulted, condemned and humiliated. It’s enough, do not repeat such vengeful acts,” Najib had said recently at Pesaka’s Silat Assembly 2015 in Kuala Lumpur.

Nik Nazmi urged "moderates" in Umno, especially youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin to state equivocally whether they backed Najib’s stand on this issue.

"Leaders must not pander to the majority. They also have a duty to make all members of his or her society feel secure."

The PKR leader urged Malaysians to reject the politics of fear and embrace the need for positive political change in the country.

"We simply cannot go on like this. They (Malays) should realise that the fate of their faith, race and country, rests not with feeding the ambitions of political opportunists but in uniting with our fellow Malaysians to move our country forward,” he said.

The red shirt rally which was held to counter the Bersih 4 rally was marred by incendiary remarks and racially-charged banners and placards.

- TMI