Promoting multi-ethnic Malaysia is unconstitutional, Mahathir claims in swipe at Anwar govt
KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday (July 4) accused the Anwar administration of attempting to turn Malaysia secular and multi-ethnic.
Former Malaysia Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Monday (July 3) accused the Anwar administration of attempting to turn Malaysia secular and multi-ethnic.
The former prime minister said in a Facebook post that promoting multiracialism was against the Federal Constitution, which he alleged endorses the “Malayness” of the country.
“Does the current government reject the Rule of Law including the Federal Constitution which never mentions Malaysia as a multi-ethnic country? On the other hand, the Federal Constitution emphasises the ‘Malayness’ of Malaysia,” he wrote.
Article 152 of the Constitution stipulates that the Malay language is the national language, while Article 153 addresses the reservation of quotas for the Malays and Bumiputera.
While the Constitution does not explicitly state that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country, Article 8 promotes equality among citizens and states that no one should be discriminated against based on their ethnicity.
Dr Mahathir accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of being influenced by 40 Democratic Action Party (DAP) members of parliament (MPs).
As reported by Malay Mail last year, DAP MPs only make up 27.8 per cent of the total government seats. Its proportion in the government is much lower compared to in 2018, when Dr Mahathir was prime minister.
Bumiputera MPs still make up the bulk of the government.
The position of Islam as the religion of the federation in the Constitution cannot simply be amended. Instead, it requires the support of at least two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat.
Dr Mahathir’s remark came after Bukit Gelugor Umno information chief Huzaidi Hussin had urged Dr Mahathir to cease dividing the nation by playing the racial card.
Mr Hussin said last month that there was no need for Dr Mahathir to continue stirring racial sentiments, as most Malaysians had moved on and were eagerly looking forward to witnessing Malaysia’s economic resurgence.
In response, Dr Mahathir said Monday that he was only voicing the provision in the Constitution, and defended that it was not illegal. MALAY MAIL
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