'Now the time to build confidence, not spook the Malays'

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said Hindraf 2.0's demands to open up Universiti Teknologi Mara (Uitm) to all races comes at a time when Malays are still wary of the new government thus creating a "negative perception".

Anwar, in an interview with Astro Awani, said while he did not see Hindraf 2.0 airing its views as wrong, now was the time to build confidences while debates on such matters could happen later.

"I do not see it as wrong for anyone to air their views but in my opinion, it is too soon to make demands that would make it appear that under this new government, the Malay community has to concede all their past benefits.

"It gives a very negative perception. The Malays are worried, the government has only been formed so if we demand that they surrender, it is too soon.

"What is important now, for me, is to instil a strong confidence that we will defend the rights of all people without sacrificing bumiputera interests as enshrined in the federal constitution," he said in the interview.

Hindraf 2.0 is led by P Uthayakumar, whose younger brother P Waythamoorthy is leading the Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM).

PHM is a strategic partner of Pakatan Harapan but Hindraf 2.0 is not officially linked to the coalition.

Waythamoorthy had also urged to brother to adopt a less confrontational method.

Anwar said time was needed if such matters such as Uitm are to be debated.

"If we want to debate, give time (for) people to be confident so that we will not compromise on existing policies," he said. -Mkini