Unfair to blame non-Malays every time there’s a problem, says Leiking

Penampang MP Darell Leiking.

PETALING JAYA: Penampang MP Darell Leiking has criticised the chief organiser of the Malay Dignity Congress, Zainal Kling, for his opening speech at the meeting.

Leiking said it was unfair to put the blame on non-Malays and threaten their citizenship whenever an issue involving Malays emerged.

He said such an attitude would only lead to a divided and polarised Malaysia, though those who made such remarks may enjoy momentary vindication or a feel-good factor.

Zainal said in his speech at the congress this morning that Malaysia is for Malays and reminded other communities of the social contract they have with Malays.He said the Malays were the rightful owners of the land and could always suspend the social contract with non-Malays.

In response, Leiking said: “I am wondering who is attacking the Malays or whether there is any covert conspiracy to downgrade the Malays, as Zainal has alleged it to be.

“But blaming non-Malays or caving in to protectionism (threatening the non-Malays) will certainly not lead the Malay communities to progress or develop.”

Continuous attacks on non-Malays would be unhealthy, he said, because Malays already enjoy the benefits and privileges provided by the Federal Constitution.

“Non-Malays have to work harder than Malays while, at the same time, they are expected to contribute to the development of the country.”

Leiking said the “social contract through inheritance”, as how Zainal had described it, could be deemed to be non-existent in that context since Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya had jointly formed Malaysia.

He said the issue of inheritance of the social contract should no longer arise because, through the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Malaysia was not only the land of Malays, “but the land of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, Bajaus, Ibans and Dayaks”.

“So, I hope Zainal will understand it clearly that Sabah and Sarawak did not ‘join’ but ‘formed together as separate entities’ the federation of Malaysia,” Leiking said. “He should make a detailed research on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 before using the social contract in Malaysia as his basis of argument.” - FMT