Interview with Jamaluddin Yusof, Pekida President
(NST) Q: Non-Muslims and some Malay Muslims think that Pekida is a Malay extremist group as you have been at the forefront of several protest and counter protests.
A: We deny this, we are not Malay extremists. We are an NGO that is registered with the Government that struggles for our race, religion and country. We understand and accept that Malaysia is a plural society with many ethnicites.
We cannot deny that the ethnic communities must be united and they cannot be communalist and ethno-centric. We are not assobiah (tribalistic). We are an NGO that serves society not just our members.
We are focused on community-oriented programmes such as giving out aid to single mothers and orphans at the district and village level.
Q: But at the same time, you are heavily involved in Malay political issues such as voicing your concern on Malay rights.
A: We are very much involved because we need to strengthen the Malay political position whether it be Pas or Umno. Malays cannot afford to be weak. We have to be cognizant of Malay political strength but we are not partisan.
If the Malay's position is threatened then the position of Islam is threatened and we need to rise up if that happens. This does not mean that we sideline others or deny them their rights.
They have the right to education to doing business. We believe in the social contract.
But when there are people who do not want to accept the social contract then we must voice out the rights of the Malays.
We understand the situation in Malaysia and we cannot just tell non-Malays to to go back to their countries. Islam does not allow that.
Q: You are also a strong proponent of ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) which is not something very popular with non-Malays and some Malays.
A: Ketuanan Melayu is important because if we do not become tuan (masters) we become hamba (servants). We have power sharing where the Sultans and the Prime Minister are Malays and the Cabinet has ministers from all races. But Menteris Besar are another thing. Some of them make ridiculous decisions.
Q: Speaking of the protests you've voiced to state governments like those of Penang, Selangor and Perak, it seems that all the ones Pekida does not agree with happen to be Pakatan Rakyat State administrations.
A: If not for the issue of trying to build a Hindu temple in the middle of a Malay neighbourhood in Selangor, we would not complain. But the (Selangor Government's) decision is inappropriate, why couldn't they just have built it in a Indian area? This problem also got the attention of other NGOs.
There has been too many contentious decisions in Selangor as if those who are in power are not firm. Even though a Malay is the Menteri Besar it seems that his hands’ are tied. Some of his state executive council members do not agree with his decisions.
In Penang, we had asked for business opportunities to be fairly distributed to all. In Georgetown for instance, we understand that the majority is Chinese so it's difficult to give to Malays. What we are asking is that in Malay majority areas, opportunities should be given to Malays. We are not asking for equal distribution or 50-50 distribution, but suitable distribution.
We understand, if a Malay gets a stall to operate in a Chinese area, he might not get business so it would be more suitable to give to a Chinese businessman.
Q. Do you feel that the political and economic position of Malays in society is threatened?
A: Look at Perak, where (the previous Pakatan Rakyat administration) gave 999-year leases to Chinese new villages. Other places, you can only get a 66 or 99 years. It was a shock to Malays and it looks very unwise. There are Malays in Parti Keadilan Rakyat who are angry with the decision.
We have to voice our worries. If we make 10 demands, we will only get three or four of them. We cannot afford to be complacent before acting. People will not respect us if we stay quiet.
Q: But isn't the political strength of Malays manifested in Umno and its control of the government. Umno has also helped many Malays become successful businessmen.
A: Umno's help towards the Malays does not really reach the grassroots. at the village level. Not every Malay gets business opportunities except those with big companies and class A contractors.
There have been changes to the Malay's socio-economic position and the Government has helped much. But it is still not enough and Malays have a long way to go. Malays still need help.
There is too much red tape in the implementation of policies for Malays. If RM1 is allocated for a programme, only 30 sen reaches the kampung.
Q: But are Malays not better off now than they were decades ago?
A: There are changes, yes. There are many Malay graduates now, many of them are educated and many are in good jobs. But we still need to maintain peace and harmony. I am afraid that in the 13th general election, we will lose power. If a Malay leader loses power but is replaced with another Malay, that is o.k. But what if this is not the case?
Q: You mentioned the need for Malay Menteri Besar, were not the Pakatan Perak and Selangor MBs Malay? Does this not already mean that a Malay is the political leader in a State?
A: Not necessarily because (in the two States) it happened because of their individual constitutions. The law specifies that it must be a Malay Menteri Besar like in Perak. But in Selangor it looks like that the administration is only doing things so that they can remain in power. In Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s case (the party of Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim), they received a lot of Chinese and Indian votes in the last general election so now they are bending over backwards to please the non-Malays.
The way they are going about it is like having a blanket that is too small to cover your whole body. You pull it up to cover your face, your feet are exposed. You want to cover your feet there’s not enough for your face. So you can’t please everyone. The temple issue was just the latest example of this.
Q: Legal experts argue that Malay power is actually enshrined in the Constitution and in the office of the nine Malay rulers. So Malays should not worry about losing their rights and special position.
A: These laws can be changed and the rulers are symbols to the Malays. Its no use having only symbols when the Malays are not strong enough to defend their Sultans. If Malay strength is not there, how can you say that the Malays are not threatened? Malaysia can one day turn into a republic and then the Sultans will not be there to protect the Malays.
So NGOs have to follow developments in Malaysian politics and play their roles. We cannot just sit back and watch.
