Shahril: Dr M’s non-Malay assimilation logic flouts religious freedom

 

Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s rationale for non-Malays to “totally assimilate” to become Malays defies the Federal Constitution, says former Umno leader Shahril Hamdan.

Shahril pointed out that constitutionally, someone who is Malay also has to be Muslim.

“There is one point that Mahathir left out, perhaps deliberately. He said that a Malay is considered someone who speaks the Malay language and adheres to the Malay customs.

“However, there is a third component listed in the constitution, whereby Malays are Muslims.

“So, constitutionally, it is almost impossible for non-Malays to be Malays (which would require) forcing them into Islam - which is not Islamic to begin with. It’s a contradiction,” he said during a Keluar Sekejap episode aired on YouTube today.

Shahril was referring to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution which lists the definition of “Malay”.

During an exclusive online interview with Indian satellite TV channel Thanthi TV, Mahathir said one should identify as Malay to have the right to call the country their own.

He further asserted that Indian Malaysians are not completely loyal to the country as they still identify with their country of origin.

When the host asked whether Mahathir expected the non-Malays to “totally assimilate” to become Malays, the latter replied in the affirmative.

“Yes... they should become (Malays). In the past, we have people of Indian, Pakistani, Arab, and African origin, who are now Malays.

“In the sense that they speak the Malay language at home, their culture is Malay.”

To this, the host asked whether Mahathir expects people of all races to identify as Malays, rather than Malaysians, Mahathir said that “it should be so”.

Language a thorny issue

Shahril expressed disappointment with Mahathir’s statement in today’s podcast episode, adding that it was wrong to question the loyalty of Malaysians just because they were non-Malay.

Meanwhile, his co-host Khairy Jamaluddin questioned the public’s commitment to a shared identity through the Malay language.

“I see language being the most disputed (by the public). It’s sprawled across social media - scenarios whereby passport renewal becomes an issue because (the applicant is) unable to speak Malay - and therefore an indication of someone being disloyal to Malaysia.

“It becomes an easy win for those who intend to set the narrative that those who are not fluent in Malay are disloyal to the country,” he said.

Khairy expressed hope, however, that there would be more efforts by the government to enhance the use of the language, apart from formal education.