S'gor Umno Youth wants bumiputera quota guarantee in URA
The government should establish a specific ratio for Malay residents in development projects under the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA), said Selangor Umno Youth.
Its chief Imran Tamrin stressed that any potential legislation should protect the position and interests of the bumiputera in urban areas.
'We urge for a...
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Focus Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
No buy-in from Malays to Tun M's Malay unity alliance movement; even Akmal says 'No thanks'
SUCH is the reception that twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad gets after having mooted a movement to unite Malays with Bersatu and PAS in a bid to resolve issues faced by Malays that he alleges the current government has failed to address. A big 'slap in the face' would probably have to be that even the firebrand Malay rights defender in UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has turned down the centenarian's invitation to UMNO members to join his Jawatankuasa Sekretariat Orang Melayu (Malay People's Secretariat Committee). 'But the same people also wanted to ban UMNO when they were in power … Now when they are not in power, the style is different,' he reacted in a Facebook post. 'Thank you, Tun, we appreciate your invitation but we still have not forgotten what happened. If you want to unite this nation, let it come from a sincere heart because you love the religion of the nation, not just want to get a position for yourself.' Although Dr Mahathir claimed that the movement is not politically motivated and will serve as a platform to resolve issues faced by the Malays by grouping them under a payung besar (big umbrella), he did caveat that the ultimate objective can only be achieved if it regain control of the government. Also present at the unveiling of the movement were Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and vice president Radzi Jidin as well as PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Opposition-slant UMNO member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim foresees the Malay unity alliance initiative as merely another effort to consolidate Malay political forces which has thus far failed to achieve meaningful electoral success. 'This is unsurprising. Major parties like UMNO and PAS continue to prioritise their own agendas, often at the expense of broader unity,' observed the former de facto law minister on X. Dear Tun Dr Mahathir, You have been relentless in your pursuit of uniting the Malays, and I fully understand your concerns about their future and well-being. Your commitment to the cause is admirable. However, the effort to consolidate Malay political forces has, so far, failed… — Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) June 5, 2025 'Bersatu has lost momentum. The anticipated exodus from UMNO never happened and the party now finds itself adrift. While still commanding its loyal base, PAS has not adapted sufficiently to meet the expectations of a more informed and demanding electorate.' Zaid went on to counter propose 'the formation of a leadership cohort: a group of 20 capable Malaysians, preferably under the age of 50 with demonstrated integrity and success in their respective fields – politics, business, academia, civil society and entrepreneurship'. 'This group should be publicly presented as the nucleus of a future national leadership,' he pointed out. 'Crucially, this group must come from a broad and inclusive spectrum. They must not be the usual suspects – party officials with worn-out ideas and questionable reputations – but fresh, untainted voices with the courage to speak and act in the national interest.' The bottom line is not only that man-on-the-street Malays have wised up by not wanting to fall for yet another sinister initiative in the guise of uniting them but even blamed Dr Mahathir for disuniting them at the end of the day: – June 6, 2025 Main image credit: Malay Digest (@malaydigest)/X
Focus Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Claim that Malay language is under threat merely political rhetoric, say analysts
EXPERTS have described the allegation that the Malay language is being sidelined under the MADANI Government as unfounded and contradictory to the administration's ongoing efforts to strengthen the national language's status. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi views the MADANI Government as more progressive and consistent in promoting Malay as the primary medium of administration and national discourse, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. 'The claim that the Malay language is losing its role is merely a political strategy,' he said, commenting on a statement made yesterday by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who alleged that the Malay language and the position of the Malays are facing mounting threats under the current government. According to Awang Azman, the statement is also inconsistent with Dr Mahathir's administrative history, notably when he introduced the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy in 2003. 'The policy provoked an intense backlash, as many parties, including the Movement to Abolish PPSMI, criticised it for diminishing the Malay language as a medium of knowledge and education,' he said. Awang Azman stated that calls to unite the Malays must be accompanied by concrete actions that are consistent with the principles of justice, inclusivity and respect for Malaysia's cultural and linguistic diversity. Echoing this view, National Professors Council Fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan pointed out that this is not the first time Dr Mahathir has used the 'Malay issue' to advance his political objectives. 'There is no such thing as the Malay language being under threat. It is only a small minority who view Malay as unintellectual, but in reality, it is they who lack intelligence. 'The current situation is much more stable compared to when the ICERD issue (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) and the recognition of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court arose in 2018 duringDr Mahathir's administration, which at that time sparked concern among the Malay community,' he said. Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Law, International Islamic University Malaysia, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz, emphasised that the rights of the Malays, including the status of the Malay language as the official language, are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. 'The King and the ruling government are responsible for implementing the relevant provisions. If anyone claims that the government is failing to uphold these provisions, they must present clear evidence. 'This issue concerning the rights of the Malays has long been used as a political argument by various parties, but its status remains steadfastly protected within the framework of the Constitution,' he said. Shamrahayu stressed that every government is responsible for ensuring the ongoing fulfilment of Malay rights, adding that any neglect of these provisions contradicts the spirit of the Constitution. ‒ June 6, 2025 Main image: Tech Wire Asia
Focus Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Taking a leaf from Tun M, Ramasamy moots umbrella body to champion non-Malays' political, economic rights
LEGAL and constitutional protections are no longer enough to safeguard not just the Malays – but all Malaysians – from the looming spectre of economic and political decline. Twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently proposed the formation of an umbrella organisation to defend and promote Malay economic and political interests. His concern: the Malays face an uncertain and troubling future despite formal guarantees. Dr Mahathir believes that the current administration under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lacks sufficient Malay support to effectively defend their interests. On other occasions, Dr Mahathir has even suggested that the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition is politically dependent on the DAP, thus raising doubts about its ability to act independently or inclusively. But Dr Mahathir's alarm shouldn't just concern the Malays. The future of all Malaysians – including the Chinese, Indians and native communities in Sabah and Sarawak – is being called into question. UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin has pointed to legal provisions and the role of Malay rulers as safeguards. But these are formal structures without agency. Without proactive and visionary leadership, they cannot ensure the well-being of Malays or non-Malays alike. 'Fate of non-Malays equally worrisome' Although Dr Mahathir stopped short of detailing the exact economic, social or political threats, his warning speaks to a broader fear: the current government's inability to manage national affairs effectively. And while his message was targeted at Malays, its implications apply to every ethnic group in Malaysia. Dr Mahathir's emphasis on Malay solidarity seems calculated – an attempt to build a united front against the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar-led Madani government. Whether Malays will rally under his new political umbrella remains to be seen. Many have already shifted their allegiance from the PH coalition to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition which appears to support Dr Mahathir's latest initiative. While Dr Mahathir's concern is centered on Malays, the fate of non-Malays under the PH-led government is equally worrisome. Anwar's much-vaunted reform agenda has all but collapsed, replaced by political manoeuvring, favouritism and family politics. The so-called reformist seems more focused on securing legal and constitutional immunity than delivering real change. Meanwhile, the DAP – once the voice of disillusioned Chinese Malaysians – has retreated into the politics of silence and complicity. Among Indian Malaysians, their disillusionment with multi-racial parties within the PH coalition which began in 2023 has since accelerated. Perhaps it is time for non-Malay communities to consider their own umbrella coalition – a political force to defend their rapidly eroding rights in an increasingly fragmented and directionless Malaysia. The writing is on the wall: without meaningful reform and inclusive governance, the entire nation – not just the Malays – faces an ominous and uncertain future. – June 6, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image credit: UKEC
