Johan Ariffin of G25 has urged Malays to ignore political rhetoric that aims to make them feel insecure.
Referring to Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah Saifuddin’s remark last weekend at a forum on Malay insecurities, Johan told FMT that he agreed with Saifuddin that the Malays’ fear for their future was created by politicians’ imaginary threats to make the Malays feel more dependent on the politicians in power for their welfare and security.
FMT quoted him as saying: “This is a common ploy employed by our politicians. They know that fear leads to irrational thinking and actions.
“Despite the Malay dominance in our country, politicians use the government media daily to pepper Malays with imaginary fears that other races or religions are threatening the status quo.”
Johan pointed out that Islam had been accepted as the country’s official religion, and that Malays were in full control of the country – from the executive branch of government to the security services, civil service and judiciary, which were all Malay-dominated.
He added that it was plain to see that Malay rights were not in danger.
“Why are Malays scared of their own shadow? As rational and right-minded persons, we should treat political rhetoric as just talk,” Johan said.
The FMT report said Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa was also in agreement with Saifuddin, who viewed the current power elite having gone against the wishes of the nation’s founding fathers.
“They have turned the clock anti-clockwise, going back 50 years, just because they want to stay in power,” Mujahid said.
Citing the recent ban on the Better Beer Festival, he alleged that politicians in power were using the race card not only to gain support but also to incite sentiments, the news portal reported.
Although he was not in support of the festival, he said the action taken should have been in the context of existing laws.
“By capitalising on sentiments, they are creating a society which promotes hatred.
“They keep highlighting the issue as Islamic versus non-Islamic, which is not right,” Mujahid said.