'Moronic' to remind only MCA on federal constitution, Aziz Bari told

An MCA leader has hit out at constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari for suggesting that the party should share blame for the current federal constitution which it is now complaining had accentuated racism.

Rather than take an academic approach, MCA religious harmony bureau chief Ti Lian Ker claimed that Abdul Aziz had chosen to be "moronic" in issuing the party with a reminder of its role in drafting the federal constitution.

"It is very simplistic and elementary for a constitutional law expert to disregard the complicated process of the Reid Commission in drafting the federal constitution of Malaya involving the Malay rulers, the British high commissioner, constitutional experts from Commonwealth countries, etc.

"Instead of highlighting that the Reid Commission appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had met 118 times and received numerous memoranda from individuals and organisations, including proposals from Alliance leaders and the Conference of Rulers; our learned constitutional expert, chose to be moronic...," said Ti in a statement.

He said this in response to Abdul Aziz who yesterday said MCA should not forget that it had took part – together with Umno - in the drafting of the federal constitution, unlike DAP, PKR or Amanah.

Abdul Aziz was responding to Ti's earlier suggestion, that the inherent racism in Malaysia is partly due to the federal constitution's provisions for race and religion.

Commenting further, Ti said Abdul Aziz should take off his "academic hat" and wear a "political hat" if his arguments and intentions are political.

"He seems to be more interested to blame MCA and protect DAP, PKR and Amanah instead of edging the nation towards the path of truth whereby we cannot use the present times and conditions to judge the past.

"Dr Aziz Bari should stop being condescending and start behaving like a respectable academician," said Ti.

He added that Abdul Aziz should also explain and enlighten the nation on how the federal constitution was and has evolved, particularly on compromises reached by parties involved in the drafting process. --Mkini