Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali said he felt only shame, not pride, at seeing the red shirts rally yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
“Words cannot describe the sense of shame and disgust that I felt seeing Malays in red shirts - men and women alike - chanting racist slogans and expressions of contempt and hatred
“Is this Umno’s best idea of restoring Malay dignity?” said Azmin in a statement today.
“Bussing in thousands of Felda settlers and party members from the states and setting them loose [...].
"Is this Umno’s best idea of shoring up support for the prime minister?
“Whipping up anti-Chinese, anti-DAP sentiment and engaging in acts of provocation like marching to Low Yat and Petaling Street?” he asked.
Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, then slammed Umno supreme council member Annuar Musa’s speech that racism was allowed in Islam.
“By saying that racism is in line with Islamic teachings and that such a rally, even though racist, is endorsed by the religion, they have added insult to injury and have committed great dishonour to Islam and Malay dignity,” he said.
Azmin said all the leaders involved in the rally have sullied themselves for not treating all races with dignity and respect.
“They should be seized with remorse and overcome by shame - if there is any self-respect left in them,” he added.
Nurul Izzah: Malay pride damaged
Meanwhile fellow PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar said the red shirts rally, eventually called ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ has damaged Malay pride instead of defending it.
"It was surely not Perhimpunan Pertahankan Maruah Melayu (rally to defend Malay pride).
“It is Himpunan Menjual Maruah Melayu (Rally to sell Malay pride)," she said, referring to the early name for the red shirt rally.
In her statement today, Nurul Izzah said the rally also went against the forgiving nature of the Malays, who place great importance on familial ties.
"As the majority race, the Malays should be the big brother to the other races and ensure that unity between the races is strong," she added.
Besides this, she said the red shirt rally was also against the spirit of Malaysia Day, in which Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak had united for a better future regardless of race and political leanings.
The Lembah Pantai MP then slammed Umno and Malay NGO leaders for making uncouth and racist speeches at the rally.
Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu was held in response to the Bersih 4 rally, which organisers deemed had insulted Malays.
The police estimated about 50,000 people attended the rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
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