Selangor Sultan: Malays Must Unite And Prevent Further Division

The strongest ever statement from a Malay ruler regarding Malay unity

(The Star) – Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris called upon all Malays to unite and prevent the community from being further divided.

In his address during the breaking of fast, as well as the opening of the Taman Seri Muda mosque in Section 25, Shah Alam near here Wednesday (May 29), the Ruler said Malays had become weaker.

“I would like to invite the Malays to reflect and think deeply of what could have caused the community to become weak in its own land,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.

The Ruler reiterated that the spirit of unity was seriously waning among the Malays.

He added unity amongst the Malays was crucial, and hence has to be strengthened to protect the interest of the community and its future generation.

“Unity is the foundation of a nation’s development.

“A community that is divided will bring destruction to a nation,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.

He added the division among the Malays appears to have widened, given the many groups that profess to strive for the rights of the community.

Sultan Sharafuddin said the matter worsened when the groups constantly criticised and humiliated each other.

“Exchange of slander between two parties as well as jealousy, betrayal and hatred is akin to have become a culture amongst the Malays,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.

He said the situation is aggravated when some Malay leaders mock and criticise their own race openly without any qualms.

“The division amongst the Malays has reached a worrisome level, and this problem saddens me greatly,” he said.

According to Sultan Sharafuddin, when Malays are divided and live in chaotic conditions, there will be others who profit from the situation.

He also said his call for the Malays to be united did not mean that he was a racist.

As the ruler of Selangor, he added, he was responsible and entrusted to preserve the unity amongst all his subjects, especially the majority, who were Malay Muslims.

The Ruler also urged Malay leaders, regardless of which group they were from, to stop their culture of political rhetoric and labelling the Malays negatively.

Nonetheless, said Sultan Sharafuddin, there was a need for the Malays to admit their weaknesses, which can however be overcome with good thoughts, absence of jealousy and revenge as well as close cooperation, helping each and not being selfish.

He said leaders; especially those who are Malays have to play their part to help the community effectively without insulting them, as this tends to make them (the Malays) become weaker and lose confidence.