Controversial academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has rued about the lack of non-Malay Muslims being appointed to high positions.

One day, he hopes to see a Chinese leading PAS or Umno.

As for MCA, Ridhuan considered the party to be too racist, to the point that its leaders even described the Federal Constitution of having clauses that cater for certain race and religion.

This was in reference to MCA central committee leader Ti Lian Ker, who had touched on the Federal Constitution in rebutting the National Civics Bureau chief’s argument that racism in Malaysia peaked during election season with certain quarters exploiting sensitive issues.

In his column published in Sinar Harian yesterday, Ridhuan noted how Christian organisations had no qualms appointing a Chinese Christian with the right credentials, but this was not the same with Islamic institutions and government positions, which are dominated by the Malays.

"So don't be disappointed if more Chinese embrace Christianity instead of Islam. Our actions are too racist.

"We talk a lot about Islam, but our actions are very Malay (in nature). (So) what unity are we talking about?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Ridhuan also pointed out there is much to learn from the Chinese community, and noted how the race had contributed to the spread of Islam in this region.

He said there are lessons to be derived from the Chinese, such as in issues of economics and unity.

"We do not want to learn from the Chinese, often chiding and insulting them instead.

"Yes, I too criticise the ultra kiasu Chinese. But for the Chinese who are successful, and not enemies of Islam, we have to learn from them.

"But we look down upon them, especially the Cina mualaf (those who converted to Islam)," he lamented.

Ridhuan, a Chinese Muslim convert himself, said he found his new faith some three decades ago, but had never asked anything in return.

"The ultra kiasu have accused me of getting all sorts of rewards for being more Malay than the Malays themselves when in fact I received nothing from the Malays or Umno," he added.

Meanwhile, Ti told Malaysiakini that he found it absurd that someone like Ridhuan could accuse MCA of practising racism.

“If you look at MCA, despite being a race-based party, we have championed unity and inclusiveness, whereas Ridhuan has only harped on divisiveness,” he said.

The MCA central committee leader said perhaps Ridhuan is venting his frustration for not being rewarded for his efforts.