'Malays, don't be cowards': Utusan strikes again

"What the Chinese, Indians and PAS want now is greater political and administrative powers. Not justice and democracy.

"In view of this, the Malay political power held by Umno since independence must be destroyed. This can be achieved when PAS and Anwar Ibrahim support DAP."

The above is an excerpt from the latest article published by the Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia - which is no stranger to controversy - that ruffled many feathers

The comment piece penned by Noor Azam appeared on page 10 of the broadsheet today under the heading ' Melayu jangan jadi bacul ' (Malays, don't be cowards).

Among others, the author also pointed out how some quarters were fanning racist issues to create 'anger and hatred' among the people towards whatever authority that lies in the hands of the Malays.

'Totally subversive'

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang found the article to be a bitter pill to swallow.

The veteran politician accused Utusan and another Umno-owned daily Berita Harian of being "totally subversive" of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia slogan.

" Utusan has come out with an article which spouts unabashed rank racism, incitement and sedition.

"Dare ministers from MCA, Gerakan, MIC and from Sabah and Sarawak component BN parties put the rank racism, incitement and sedition in Utusan and Berita Harian as the No 1 agenda in cabinet?" he asked in a statement.

Lim said if any Chinese or Tamil newspaper had published an article of the same nature with rank Chinese or Tamil racism, the situation would be very different.

"There can be no doubt that not only the writer would have been instantly arrested by the police and charged for racist incitement and sedition but the newspaper concerned would have been banned immediately.

"Is the BN government having one law for Utusan and Berita Harian while another law for Chinese and Tamil media publications?" he added.

Raise issue at cabinet meet

The Ipoh Timor MP also asked if the non-Umno ministers would raise the issue at tomorrow's cabinet meeting.

He said Key Performance Index (KPI) Minister Koh Tsu Koon should ask the cabinet to set clear indicators for the 1Malaysia concept – in taking stern action against media which incite racism and communalism regardless of what variety.

"Otherwise, what is the use of having KPIs?" he added.

Lim also cited an article penned by Zainul Arifin which appeared in Berita Harian 's Sunday edition Berita Minggu two weekends ago.

He said the article, pertaining to the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, made the "utterly irresponsible, abhorrent and baseless allegation" against DAP and Pakatan Rakyat for harbouring the agenda to weaken Malay-controlled institutions like the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

"Zainul could even be so irresponsible as to resort to blatant race-baiting as when he demanded of Khalid Ibrahim: 'Why does the Selangor menteri besar, a Malay, doubt the ability of those of his own race to act fairly and sincerely?'" he said.

"Not a single Umno leader condemned Zainur for spouting unadulterated communal poison demolishing Najib's 1Malaysia concept.

"Equally unfortunate, not a single minister from MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP or the Sabah and Sarawak component BN parties dared to raise the issue in cabinet," he added.

When Umno's newspapers openly flout the 1Malaysia concept, Lim asked how is the prime minister to convince all Malaysians that his cabinet and administration are committed to the concept.

DPM defends Utusan

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin defended Utusan to run the article, saying that many have challenged the special rights of the Malays, the rulers and the constitution.

"We cannot overlook such matters. This is a dangerous situation and what Utusan reported may be a response to the situation.

"Maybe there are people who brought up issues that ought not be brought up," he told reporters.

Stressing that he wants to avoid any untoward incidences, he hoped that the public will not make any racial remarks and warned that action can be taken against them.

"Most importantly, people should not challenge the rights of any race as it is enshrined in the Federal Constitution," he said.

The deputy premier added that he will not take sides as it is important to maintain peace in the country and for all races to respect one another.

"But now, we see the emergence of politically motivated groups that question these fundamental rights," he said.

Describing them as "irresponsible", he said that certain quarters make racially-charged statements to instigate people.