Gov't urged to be more open to demands from Malay-Muslim NGOs

The new government should be more open to demands made by Malay-Muslim NGOs out to defend Islam and protect the rights of the majority in Malaysia, said Ummah secretariat chief Aminuddin Yahaya.

Aminuddin told the Pakatan Harapan government that they had only obtained about 42 percent of the popular vote in the 14th general election despite securing enough seats to form the new federal government.

"Do not attempt to provoke the spirit of the majority of Malaysians with concerted attacks on the Federal Constitution," Aminuddin said at a press conference after the Himpunan Kebangkitan Ummah (Rise of the Ummah) rally at Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Ummah is a group of Muslim organisations.

The rally today attracted over 1,000 supporters and was backed by some 300 Malay-Muslim NGOs.

Also present were Umno and PAS leaders, as well as former minister Rais Yatim who is now a Bersatu member.

It was unclear where Aminuddin obtained the popular vote count from, as the Election Commission has not issued an official popular vote breakdown for GE14.

Various media outlets have published their own calculations – including Malaysiakini, which calculated that Harapan won 48 percent of the popular vote.

Ignored concerns

Compared to the previous BN administration, Amiruddin (photo) claimed that the current government has largely ignored concerns and demands raised by Malay-Muslim NGOs.

"So if they (Harapan) are treating us worse now, then this is not a new Malaysia...We hope that this new government would be better and more constructive.

"We have submitted six demands to the Institutional Reforms Committee but not a single one was entertained," he claimed.

Amiruddin further claimed their demands could have been ignored due to the influence of National Human Rights Society chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, who sits on the committee.

"We feel disappointed because we know in the IRC there is Ambiga. Maybe that's why they (IRC) ignored our demands," he said.

Bigger rallies possible

Aminuddin said today's rally was a sign of the people's unhappiness towards the government, and hinted that more of such gatherings would be held nationwide.

"We do not discount the possibility that there will be a series of bigger rallies in other states unless the government takes measures to correct the situation," he said.

Ummah chairperson Ismail Mina Ahmad, meanwhile, said the government should view their NGOs as "partners" in the nation-building process.

"The NGOs should not be viewed as an enemy," he said.

Ismail stressed, however, that they will not compromise on any alleged attempts to undermine the constitution.

A total of 20 speakers today raised their concerns over a host of issues, including proposed recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), alleged 'threats' from the LGBT community, calls to strengthen the status of Bahasa Malaysia, as well as alleged loss of Malay reserve lands.

At the end of the rally, Aminuddin read out Ummah's 10-point resolution, which underscored their overall demands for greater protection for Malay-Muslim rights, as well as calling for action against those they accused of being guilty of attacks on their rights.

Aside from NGOs, the rally today was attended by leaders and members of PAS and Umno, representing two of the largest Malay-Muslim political parties in Malaysia at present. - Mkini