MP says burning of Utusan newspaper an insult to the Malays

(Bernama) – A backbencher today described the burning of the Utusan Malaysia newspaper by some Malays recently as an insult to the race itself.

Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) said the official organ of the Malays during the struggle for independence was a noble media but sadly, it was being humiliated by the Malays themselves.

“I wish to ask the Malays who had burnt the Utusan Malaysia several weeks ago whether they were aware that their action was most insulting to the Malays.

“Utusan Malaysia was established 73 years ago, in the year 1937. It was the official organ of the Malays in demanding for the country’s independence; this was the newspaper that educated the Malay mind to move forward.

“Do the Malays want to insult a newspaper that had contributed significantly to the progress of the Malays?” he asked when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address at the Dewan Rakyat.

Mohamad’s speech was interrupted by several members of Parliament including Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) who expressed disappointment at the action of the Malays in burning the mainstream newspaper.

“Here, we are not defending anybody, but we are stating that the truth remains the truth. Could they have been influenced by non-Malay leaders?” asked Bung Moktar.

Mohamad said that since its establishment, Utusan Malaysia had never neglected to uphold the rights of the Malays, and at the same time it had never denied the rights of the other races in the country.