Do Not Back Malays Into A Corner

This is from SinChew newspaper.

Exclusive Interview With The Gerakan Adviser

Despite Chinese are citizens in this territory, but their position are not the same as Malay's. Malay's privileges are protected by the Constitution, but non-Malays can still enjoy their civil rights, said Gerakan Adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

He said: “although we don't ask for the same status as Malays or Orang Asli, we still hope to be equitably treated by the government.”

He believed that as non-Malays has been unequally treated by the BN government for a long period of time, thus they vented their anger with their votes in hand.

Anyway, Lim reminded the Pakatan Rakyat state governments and the BN federal government not to back Malays into a corner and to excessively promote reforms as it may lead to another political cooperation situation. It may also eventually turn the existing positive situation into a negative development.

He gave examples that DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said to re-examine the social contract recently and the recent Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh's comments on the power of the Sultan of Perak might trigger Malay's discontent.

The Opposition should not think that they would be able to do whatever they like after they have successfully created a new political situation after the recent general elections as Malay's sentiments still have their limitations.

“It is very dangerous if non-Malay member parties of the BN coalition are forcing Umno while DAP is forcing PAS to concede in the Islamic Country issue,” said the party adviser.

Based on his 35 years of experience in politics, Lim advised member parties of BN and Pakatan Rakyat not to underestimate the power of Malays. Once they are forced badly, it will probably make various Malay political parties to cooperate and defend the rights of Malay together.

He stressed that it was a good thing for Pakatan Rakyat to promote the cooperation among various races. And the people will expect higher from the government in the future. But once requests are too much and the promotion of reform is excessive, it might turn the good situation into a negative one. (Sin Chew Daily)