Malaysia belongs to Malaysians, Sabah AMK tells Zainal Kling

Sabah AMK information chief Razeef Rakimin has told off the academic Zainal Kling over the latter’s speech at the Malay Dignity Congress by insisting that Malaysia belongs to Malaysians.

Razeef (photo) said that contrary to Zainal’s assertions in his opening speech at the congress, Malaysia belongs to all the races that live in the country.

He said the “social contract” that Zainal cited was an understanding between Alliance Party representatives.

It was never a physical document and was superseded by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 when Sabah and Sarawak joined the federation, he said.

“The social contract is invalidated following the formation of Malaysia because, through the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Malaysia no longer belongs to the Malays only after Sabah and Sarawak joined to form the Federation of Malaysia.

“Malaysia belongs to all races on Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. It belongs to Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Bajau, Iban, Dayak and other bumiputeras. Malaysia belongs to us all, not any one race.

“The threat to suspend citizenships of non-Malays is uncouth and disgusting,” he said in a statement today.

Zainal, who is the chief executive of the Malay Dignity Congress secretariat, had opened the congress on Sunday with a hardline speech.

Among others, he claimed that Malays had inherited Malaysia as “their land”. He also made repeated references to the social contract and warned against those who were supposedly attempting to re-write it.

A police report had been lodged against Zainal, accusing him of inciting racial discord.

Meanwhile, Razeef questioned the need to defend Malay dignity, since Malays have been in power and enjoy various privileges.

“Is the failure of Malay leaders to uplift the Malays the fault of other races? And if other races work harder and become more successful, does it mean the Malays are oppressed? And if Malaysia is for Malays, what about us in Sabah? Does Sabah also belong to the Malays?

“This is why Sabah is not interested in race-based political parties, and we are not interested in programmes that stoke the flames of racism to the extent of legitimising speeches that threaten and insult other races,” he said.

He also urged Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to focus on other issues instead of talking about Malay dignity and insulting Malays in his speech at the congress.

These include focusing on economic problems, ensuring harmony amongst the people, and delivering Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto promises. - Mkini