Latest news with #non-Malays
Focus Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
Malaysiakini
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Ramasamy: Is it time for a non-Malay 'big umbrella'?
Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy is contemplating whether it is time for non-Malay communities to consider forming their own umbrella coalition to defend their 'rapidly eroding rights' in what he describes as a fragmented and directionless Malaysia. Commenting on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposed 'big umbrella' for the Malays, Ramasamy argued that the plight of non-Malays under the Pakatan Harapan and Anwar Ibrahim-led government is equally troubling.
Malaysiakini
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Ramasamy: Is it time for a non-Malay 'big umbrella'?
Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy is contemplating whether it is time for non-Malay communities to consider forming their own umbrella coalition to defend their 'rapidly eroding rights' in what he describes as a fragmented and directionless Malaysia. Commenting on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposed 'big umbrella' for the Malays, Ramasamy argued that the plight of non-Malays under the Pakatan Harapan and Anwar Ibrahim-led government is equally troubling.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Remembering sacrifices of forgotten war heroes
PETALING JAYA: While it is well known that Malaysia and Indonesia share a long and sometimes uneasy relationship, not many people are aware that lives were lost during the insurgency at the height of the Confrontation period in Malaysia's early post-independence years. The Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (Macva) said this episode remains a relatively underexplored part of the country's history, often downplayed or omitted by mainstream accounts. The association added that had Indonesia's first president Sukarno remained in power, the Confrontation might have escalated further, posing serious challenges for a young Malaysia still establishing itself as a nation. 'Something happened in Indonesia, which was then under Sukarno's control. Then came a coup d'état. Sukarno was overthrown, and the entire regime collapsed. 'I believe God saved Malaysia. It was a critical time,' said Lt-Kol (Rtd) Dr Liew Ngoh Chin. 'When we talk about this part of history, you won't find it in academic books. 'In fact, many university historians aren't even aware of the incident,' said Liew, author of Memoirs – Malaya and Borneo at War (Memoirs 2)', published by Macva, during the book's launch at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The book is a sequel to the association's first publication, Memoirs of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans (Memoirs 1), released in 2020. Both books document the experiences of armed forces personnel during some of the country's most challenging times. Also present were Macva president Lt-Kol (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit, better known as A.J. Wong and his predecessor Kapt (Rtd) Datuk Lee Kwang Lock. Lee said he hopes the publications will raise awareness among Malaysians, especially the younger generation, about the sacrifices made by armed forces veterans in defending the nation's sovereignty. 'These two books were produced to create awareness. Especially for the younger generation. Imagine if your generation isn't aware, what about future generations? 'If we don't publicise it, the public won't know or understand what we've been through, especially now that things are so peaceful,' he said. Lee added that Macva also aims to highlight the contributions of non-Malay veterans, in a bid to encourage greater participation from non-Malays in the armed forces. 'I was in charge of the Recruit Training Centre in Johor from 2004 to 2007. Every intake, we would get 700 recruits. If I got one or two Chinese to join the Navy, it was a blessing. As for Indians, we had maybe three or four. Too few non-Malays are joining the armed forces. That's the sad part. 'There's nothing wrong with joining the army; we know, because we've lived that life. It's a good life. Not rich, but comfortable,' he added. Wong expressed hope that historians would now take note of the events left out of the nation's official narrative, and that these stories may one day be included in history textbooks. Sunday's Memoirs 2 book launch drew nearly a thousand attendees, including army veterans, their families and military enthusiasts.
Malaysiakini
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PKR's crumbling minority support
COMMENT | Incumbent PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli recently acknowledged something that many non-Malay voters have known for some time - support for the party is slipping. It's not a new phenomenon, but it is one that has deepened since the 2022 general election. For years, non-Malays, particularly the Chinese and Indian communities, stood firmly behind PKR and Pakatan Harapan. Their support was based on the belief that this coalition represented the promise of reform, inclusivity, and a Malaysia beyond racial politics. But less than two years into governing...
