Exclusive Interview With UMNO Youth Chief: It Is The Malay Leadership
He pointed out that the so-called Malay supremacy or Malay dominance was an outdated ideology, as well as a phenomenon that does not exist.
By TAY TIAN YAN and HWN YAUL LEN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
There is no such thing as Malay supremacy or Malay dominance in Malaysia, but Malay leadership is an indisputable fact, said UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said that whether it is Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Rakyat, Malay leadership is the reality and even if Pakatan Rakyat was the ruling party, the prime minister would still be a Malay.
He pointed out that the so-called Malay supremacy or Malay dominance was an outdated ideology, as well as a phenomenon that does not exist.
He stressed that Malaysia ruled by BN is not dominated by Malays. Instead, it is “led by Malay under the true spirit of partnership”.
During an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Khairy commented on the argument that non-Malay’s dissatisfaction over the Malay dominance concept suggested by Malays was one of the factor that made BN lost support of the people.
“I don’t think the so-called Malay supremacy or Malay dominance can still exist in today’s Malaysian society; however, if you are referring to Malay leadership, it is an undisputable fact.
“Even for Pakatan Rakyat, when they have to choose a Prime Minister, the candidate must be a Malay. In BN, UMNO is as well playing a leading role,” said Khairy.
Khairy did not deny that some Malays are still coming out with Malay dominance arguments. He believed that they must change their thoughts and ways of expression.
He pointed out that Malay dominance is not referring to the supremacy of Malays. In fact, it is referring to Malay rulers.
“We address Malay rulers as Tuanku because they are Raja Melayu of all. Malay dominance is referring to these Raja Melayu and it does not mean that all Malays are masters,” he said.
He believed that no one, including Chinese, will question the Malay sovereignty of the Malay rulers.
“We must stress that it is a Malay leadership under a faithful cooperation.
“Similarly, Pakatan Rakyat is led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He is the opposition leader and I believe that Pakatan Rakyat accept to have a Malay Prime Minister,” he said.
He stressed that the meaning of leadership is totally different with the meaning of dominance and supremacy.
