Anwar right to give reassurance on Malay rights, say academics

 

Anwar Ibrahim emphasised at his first press conference as prime minister that his administration would protect Malay rights and the position of Islam.

PETALING JAYA: Two academics say it was crucial for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to give an assurance that Malay rights and the position of Islam remain protected under his administration.

Syed Arabi Idid cited the predominantly Malay opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, while Mazlan Ali said issues related to Malay rights were played up by the opposition in the general election campaign.

Syed Arabi said it was important for Anwar to address the concerns of PN supporters at his first press conference, as well as declare that he was the prime minister for all.

“This also gives some reassurance to Umno and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) supporters,” he said, referring to the ruling coalition in Sarawak.

It was previously reported that non-Muslim GPS members were against the coalition forming an alliance with PN due to its tie-up with PAS.

”The previous (Pakatan Harapan) government gained the perception that it was dominated by non-Malays,” he told FMT.

Mazlan also said PN had highlighted the issue of the majority of those in PH being non-Malays.

The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst noted that Malay rights were already enshrined in the Federal Constitution, but said Anwar’s reassurance was to “quash the PN propaganda”.

He said the new prime minister had to “to ease the concerns” of the Malays who voted for PN. - FMT