What Malaysian Politicians Have To Say About Obama's Speech On Racial Discrimination

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today that the government has been fair to Malaysians of all religions, but refused to comment on the continuation of the government’s pro-Bumiputera policies.

Zahid, also Umno vice-president, said suggestions that non-Muslims are marginalised are a matter of perception. “We have given equal chances to non-Muslims,” Zahid told reporters after an event.

"Equal opportunity is given to non-Muslims and the government is fair to all religions," Ahmad Zahid said. "I do not think that there are any obstacles to practising religion in Malaysia. "Being biased in favour of one religion is something to be avoided because mutual respect between all religions is a necessity. "If we respect other religions, the same respect will be shown to the religion which we practise," he told a press conference today.

themalaysianinsider.com

He refused to be pressed on how non-Muslims can have equal opportunities given the government’s affirmative action policies for the country’s Bumiputera majority. “I don’t want to respond to your question,” he said

Umno lawmaker Nur Jazlan Mohamed questioned today a recent suggestion from US President Barack Obama that the Malaysian government was marginalising its non-Muslim minorities by prolonging its Bumiputera preferential policy.

malaysiaedition.net

Taking a combative position, the Pulai MP noted that the western superpower too practised affirmative action policies towards its African-American population but which escaped being put under the world microscope, unlike Malaysia.

themalaymailonline.com

“Who is he talking about? Even in the US there is affirmative action for the blacks, but nobody publicised it,” Nur Jazlan said, when asked for his view on the visiting US president’s remarks yesterday that prejudices against people from different religions and races have no place in the modern world and must be removed.

themalaymailonline.com

“So who is being marginalised in Malaysia?” Nur Jazlan asked. He continued, “Even if we have affirmative action, maybe he was referring to the Bumiputera policy.”

Ibrahim said Obama’s statement was not true as 60 per cent of the country’s economy is in the hands of the non-Muslims. “If what Obama said is true, then why non-Muslims hold 60 per cent of the country’s economy? Who owns the skyscrapers, warehouses and shop lots in the city areas?,” he asked in a press statement, Monday.

astroawani.com

“The government is also supporting the vernacular schools although some claim that it is against the Constitution. So, whoever says that Malaysia denies the rights of non-Muslims is both crazy and silly,” he added.

astroawani.com

“I want to ask Obama, how are the Israelis treating the original inhabitants of Palestine?” Ibrahim asked, quoting the famous Malay phrase “bercakap tidak serupa bikin“, which loosely translates to one’s words do not reflect one’s actions. “Why didn’t Obama advise the non-Muslims to respect the majority Muslim population? “The social contract is what determines the success of Malaysia. Obama, just like any other American President, is not being transparent,” Ibrahim claimed.

therakyatpost.com

“Those who say that Malaysia is denying the rights of non-Muslims are irrational and delusional. This will only strain racial ties. “By coming here and making a one-sided statement will only serve to strain racial ties as it leads to factual errors and misunderstandings,” Ibrahim said in a statement, today.

therakyatpost.com