Karpal wants time frame to abolish special privileges
By Athi Shankar, Free Malaysia Today
Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh wants an end to the special privileges for Malays and natives from Sabah and Sarawak.
He demands the federal government to stipulate a time frame to abolish the special privileges in line with its “1Malaysia” concept.
The veteran politician said Prime Minister Naib Tun Razak’s administration must expressly spell out the definition of the 1Malaysia concept.
He opined that the IMalaysia concept meant that there shall be no discrimination against any citizens.
The special privileges, he said, contradicted this concept since it had given an advantage to certain segments of society while handicapping others.
He said Najib’s 1Malaysia government had failed until today to clarify the expression and definition of his much-lauded concept.
He added that Najib has to state publicly whether his 1Malaysia government will perpetuate the special privileges, which are against citizenry equal rights.
“Special privileges put one 20 metres ahead than others in a 100-metre run.
“However, the IMalaysia concept meant equality to all. A beginning must have an end.
“Najib must stipulate a time frame to end it,” said Karpal, the DAP national chairman, at a press conference in his constituency today.
When the federal constitution was formulated, he said that its architects inserted the clause for special privileges for Malays and natives in Sabah and Sarawak because they intended the policy to last only for some 15 years.
However, Karpal said that the policy was being prolonged indefinitely.
He said the special privileges were originally intended to assist certain underprivileged and backward segments of society to compete with others on an equal footing.
He said the special privileges did not give special status to a particular community.
He added that the special privileg
