Malay rights a hot issue in Malay press

Public shares disapproval of Penang and Selangor governments' possible interference with pro-Malay New Economic Policy in letters to the editor

The Straits Times
Friday, March 21, 2008

By Jeremy Au Yong

KUALA LUMPUR --- Malay economic privileges have become a hotly debated issue in the aftermath of the general election following the opposition's declaration of its intention to roll back the excesses associated with such policies.

There have been street protests, while the Malay press has been publishing letters lashing out at the plans of two opposition governments -- those in Penang and Selangor -- to clamp down on political patronage.

Their plans have quickly become seen as dismantling the New Economic Policy, which favours the Malays in education opportunities, soft loans, government employment and contracts.

A reader, Mr Ab Jalil Backer, wrote in Umno-linked Utusan Malaysia yesterday that many Malays who gave their support to the Malay leaders in the opposition had not given them the mandate to question pro-Malay policies.

He said many Malays had benefited from these policies. 'The question is whether all Malays are ready to put down their ego and admit this?' he wrote.

Another letter published in the same paper came from a reader who said he had voted for the opposition so that Malay opposition leaders would safeguard the rights of their community.

Yet another wrote: 'Malays have sold out their own race. Just look at what will happen to Malays in Penang. I feel the state will become a second Singapore if the government does not stand firm.'

The letters are a sample of the flood of correspondence published in the Malay media -- which is influential in the community -- since the March 8 polls.

Some appear to suggest that the poor showing of the Barisan Nasional and Umno was a sign that Malay political dominance was weakening.

The local English dailies, such as The Star and the New Straits Times, however, do not seem to suggest that the sentiment among Malays towards the NEP issue is anywhere near boiling point.

So where does public opinion on the NEP lie? Political observers say the reality on the ground is somewhere in the middle.

Mr Ahmad Ikmal Ismail, a senior Umno Youth leader, said the anger over the plans to reform the NEP was not about to boil over. But he also disagreed with claims that much of that anger was being manufactured.

'I have received many text messages and phone calls from friends, colleagues and the public in general to voice their concern and anger on this matter. Even the normal and apolitical Malays are voicing their concerns,' he said.

He added: 'You must not look at the NEP as one that benefits only Malays.

'The main agenda of the NEP is to address the social problems that came with the division of races according to economic activities brought about during the British rule and to eradicate poverty. It ensures all citizens are assisted. I hope the opposition will respect these policies.'

Pollster Ibrahim Suffian from the Merdeka Centre believes that Malays are prepared to give the opposition a chance.

'I don't think the NEP issue has changed sentiments that much. A lot of people are apprehensive, but there is no sense of unrest. Even among the Malays, they want to give the new administration time to deliver on their promises,' he said.

Such differences in reactions to the NEP issue is exactly what a group of 25 Malay non-governmental organisations intend to address, in setting up a Malay unity action body yesterday to help unite Malays to safeguard their interests and the sanctity of Islam.

The panel's protem chairman, Mr Osman A. Bakar, said it was important to make the Malays realise what would happen to them if the disunity seen in the wake of the polls is not addressed immediately, reported Bernama.