PPBM slams Malay groups over non-Malays’ citizenship
PPBM Youth chief calls new Malay-Muslim movement a disgrace for wanting to erase the Malaysian identity that unites all ethnic groups.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman today hit out at a newly-formed Malay-Muslim movement that wants the government to review the status of non-Malays who became citizens between 1957 and 1970.
In a strongly worded statement, the PPBM founding member said he was disgusted at the racially insensitive and provocative act by Barisan Bertindak Melayu Islam (Bertindak).
“I am a Malay and Bertindak in no way represents the collective will of the Malay community. If anything, they’re a disgrace to the Malay community.
“I am a Malay but I’ll always be a Malaysian first,” he said, adding that it is the Malaysian identity that unites all ethnic groups under one common umbrella in the country.
“Malaysia celebrates unity in diversity.”
Bertindak is made up of 22 organisations, including Perkasa, the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia, Muafakat, Yayasan GPMS and Pembela.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Bertindak, Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, had alleged that the granting of citizenship to non-Malays in the years after Malaysia gained her independence had violated the stipulated terms under the Federal Constitution, thus warranting a review.
At a press conference, Khairul said that Schedule 1 of the Federal Constitution required the taking of an oath of loyalty prior to citizenship being granted to any individual.
“However, this procedure was bypassed between 1957 and 1970, making it possible for 1.75 million people to gain Malaysian citizenship,” he had said.
Syed Saddiq said it was irresponsible of the group to try and disrupt the nation’s moral fabric by making a move to strip away the citizenship of fellow Malaysians.
“We have lived with one another as one people for decades. We have eaten together, gone to school together, worked together and even fought wars and conflicts together, yet these ungrateful Malaysians seek to erase the history of unity which unites us all under the Jalur Gemilang.
“I am sure that these ungrateful Malaysians in Bertindak were also taught by non-Malay teachers before. I am sure that they have non-Malay friends. I am sure that they’ve been treated by a non-Malay doctor before.
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“Yet, they seek to strip these Malaysians of their citizenship,” Syed Saddiq said.