YOURSAY | ‘The so-called ‘social contract is here to stay.’

COMMENT | Social contract: A concept non-existent in Constitution

Newday: Whether we like it or not, the so-called “social contract” is here to stay for at least the short term.

Something built over 60 years cannot be deconstructed in months or even a year. It is absolute political suicide for this government if it happens now.

It is still less than a year into this cobbled-together government. Unity in purpose and goals is still a work in progress.

Perikatan Nasional is still clear in its purpose to toss out the government, no matter the cost.

Under PN, the “social contract” would be further reinforced.

We must have patience and do what we can to ensure that this government stays in power and solidifies our position against the extreme Malay nationalists who wish to dismantle our Constitutional democratic system into a theocratic state.

Only then can we start equitable reform of the system.

Lawyers for Liberty, in some ways, is helping to sabotage the start of this process by pursuing this now.

What is its motive in this extremely volatile period of our political landscape?

Apanama is back: LFL director Zaid Malek, who cares about the Federal Constitution and Reid Commission reports? These two will not bring in votes.

Only “social contract” (always skewed to the majority side, almost 90 percent) and "Ketuanan Melayu' bring in votes.

Yes, the Reid Commission report mentioned reducing and ultimately ceasing the preference in 15 years. But it should be preserved as far as 'Ketuanan' is concerned and it should even be increased to get even more votes.

Zaid needs to understand the reality. The government exists due to votes. Do not spook. Just follow. Look at the bigger picture with the current lesser evil of the two.

Senior Citizen: I disagree. Zaid said it well. I had high hopes for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but he has proven he is a mere mortal.

The question asked by the student questions during a dialogue session at Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang in Kepala Batas on July 6 is an uncomfortable truth which should have been better handled.

To the young girl who asked Anwar uncomfortable questions, continue being brave.

Koel: Education is one of the biggest problems in our country. Most of it is caused by incompetent politicians gambling with our children's future using racist tropes.

Perhaps schoolchildren should be given this article so that the next time a supremacist coward trots out this nonsense, they will have more reasons to call him or her out.

The Prime Minister’s Office must immediately suspend all further visits to educational institutions, especially those with minority children and young people if he is incapable of responding to their questions civilly and compassionately.

Milshah: It is strange to have bumiputera and special privileges in the Constitution if there is no social contract.

Why would the founding fathers of the different communities agree to differentiate the different communities and give special privileges?

There must be an agreement or understanding that led to the inclusion of the said provisions into the Constitution. The essence of the social contract is there.

Kilimanjaro: This notion of a social contract was first mentioned by the late Abdullah Ahmad, the journalist and Umno politician.

The special privileges were meant for a limited period only and not to be forever.

Privileges are privileges and it was specifically noted at the time that it was to help because the Malays were lagging.

It was not for the elite or super-rich Malays.

In equal measure, the poor of all races should be offered the olive branch or is it your idea of a Malaysia that lets the poor non-Malays rot?

It is the abject failure of Malay leaders who have been the prime ministers all the time on whom you should park the blame for failing the Malays instead of advancing antiquated arguments like hiding behind a non-existent social contract.

Just a Malaysian: Indeed, ‘ketuanan’ and social contracts are here to stay.

With the increasing Malay population and increasing poverty in the community, any leader wanting to reach the top must support these twin pillars of inequality.

There will never be any real reforms until the masses have suffered tremendously on the scale of Sri Lanka.

Only then can common sense prevail for the country to garner the best brain, irrespective of race and religion, to rebuild this country.

Through massive pain, the masses may get rid of snake oil salespersons and elect real statespersons to run the country.

If you listen to the speeches by many PN leaders, it is no longer asking to maintain the social contract.

It has moved on to question even the existence of non-Malays as citizens of equal rights in this country.

It is talking about removing the rights of non-Malays in questioning the 'Tuans' and non-Malays involved in running this country.

It is demanding subservient non-Malays living on the goodwill of the 'Tuans'. In that respect, Anwar's ‘social contract’ is a big plus.

Fair Play: At the personal level, Anwar is a specialist singing bird with a wide range of vocal cords.

He is an expert at singing different songs to different audiences and at different times of the day and night.

Sadly, this is the very nature and foundation of Malaysian politics.

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