Malay rights should not be questioned, Umno MP tells Dewan Rakyat

(FMT) – Umno’s Tajuddin Abdul Rahman today said the rights of the Malays should not be questioned, adding that they are the original people of Malaysia.

“Some may not want to accept that this is Tanah Melayu, and maybe some people from the outside do not want to accept this,” the Pasir Salak MP said during his debate which continued after Parliament’s lunch break today.

Adding that non-Malays have rights as well, he said there was a difference between these and the rights of Malays.

“That needs to be accepted. The rights of pribumi should not be questioned,” he said, using the Malay word for native or original people.

Tajuddin, who is chairman of Prasarana Malaysia, also said there was no need to raise the issue of Malay rights in the sectors of economy or education, or in terms of business opportunities and jobs.

“This should not be questioned, but it must be given,” he said, adding that this is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

He said other races had rights as well, to freedom of religion, culture and education, and that non-Malays also had opportunities to work and conduct business.

Maszlee Malik (independent-Simpang Renggam) said the rights of Malays were accompanied by the responsibility to set a good example for other races, such as ensuring zero corruption.

However, Tajuddin said this happened everywhere including in developed countries.

He earlier told the Dewan Rakyat that his salary as Prasarana chairman was RM8,000 per month, not RM40,000 to RM50,000, as claimed by some.