Muslim NGO chief: Leave if you don't agree with constitution

The leader of a group of Islamic NGOs has called on those who don't agree with the Federal Constitution to find another country to live.

Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah defenders movement, Ummah) chairperson Ismail Mina Ahmad also said that those who seek to change the constitution should be opposed.

"We urge all citizens to defend and respect the Federal Constitution. All attempt to give a (different) interpretation or to confuse or change (the constitution) must be opposed.

"So whoever doesn't agree with the Federal Constitution, they can go find a country that suits them and go live there," Ismail Mina said in his keynote address at the Ummah Uprising convention in Kuala Lumpur today.

The NGO leader, however, did not elaborate what he meant by disagreeing with the constitution.

Meanwhile, on another subject, Ismail Mina said only the Malays had sacrificed their lives for Malaya.

"This is not racist but I'm talking about history. The ones who fought off Siam were the Malays.

"Later, who fought the Portuguese conquerors if not the Malays, even though non-Malays were already (living in Malaya) then," he said.

He added that it was also the Malays who also fought the Japanese, British, and the Bintang Tiga (three stars, communists).

"During the Bintang Tiga rule, the Malays were killed. I am reading history.

"Who were the members of Bintang Tiga I will not say because I fear getting sued. Just read history," he said.

He then questioned why non-Malays, whom he claimed became citizens because the Malays were magnanimous, would want to become prime minister.

"Now they want to be prime minister. They just haven't asked to be a sultan yet," he said.

While Ismail Mina did not mention any specifics, the ruling Malay party Umno has often claimed that DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang aspires to be the prime minister.

Lim has denied such allegations.- Mkini