Malays urged to rise against corrupt leaders

Writer laments poverty of spirit and courage among potentially influential Malays.

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst has lambasted potentially influential Malays for their silence in the face of the alleged moral and material corruption of their leaders, particularly Umno President and Prime Minister Najib Razak.

In an article featured in Sinar Harian, Awang Mat Puteh calls for a redress of the “poverty of spirit and courage” among elite and educated Malays, including religious scholars, and condemns the voices of support for Najib.

“Never before in the history of this nation, whether before or after Merdeka, has a leader so tainted by scandals, whose morals are so questionable, been so exalted with praises that reach high heaven,” he writes.

He laments the lack of dissenting voices from among the elite, the educated and the professionals in their “Brook Brothers dress shirts.”

“Where are the renowned doctors and lawyers who go everywhere in their BMWs and Mercedeses? Where is the criticism from the vocal Arab-robed ulamas who appear day in and day out on television if they really believe in promoting good and preventing evil?”

Awang takes on a militant tone in his call for courage against evil, reminding the Malays of their rebellious past and invoking the names of the freedom fighters of history. “The past Malay leaders such as Datuk Maharajela in Perak, Tok Janggut, Mat Kilau and many others never lacked courage,” he says.

He says it is right to rebel in the name of justice, as has been done elsewhere against those who amassed riches for themselves, such as the last Shah of Iran, Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Ben Ali of Tunisia.

He condemns cowardice and the willingness to be silenced and says the Malays should take inspiration from renowned writers in the region.

“What is there to be afraid of? Remember the words of the great Indonesian novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer: in life we have only courage. If we abandon it, what else is left of the honour in living?

“Remember also Usman Awang’s words: Malay sons, your names have been summoned. Answer the call before your tongue is chained.”

Perhaps Awang would be gratified to learn that at least one Malaysian agrees with him, especially on the point about ulamas not doing their duty. This morning, FMT received an anonymous poem that invokes God’s wrath on Islamic scholars who have failed in their duty to check abuses and perversions allegedly committed by the country’s leaders.

The poem is written in Malay.

Janganlah lagi bersyarah agama
Sedang ulama mu semua pendusta
Membela pemimpin yang durjana
Pembohongan, kerakusan, perampokan harta negara dan rasuah berluasa
Inikah parti yg membela bangsa agama dan negara?
Maka tunggulah pembalasan
Bilamana kalian mempermainkan Alquran

Here is a rough translation:

Cease the fiery sermons
Your scholars are charlatans
Defending the corrupt leaders
Lies, greed, robbery and corruption rule the day
Is this the party that champions religion and country?
So await the retribution
For you have mocked the Quran