Report: In New Malaysia, some play old game to stir up Malaysian fears

Malaysians' growing concern about the threat of their rights and privileges can not be underestimated, writes the editor of the Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: While a new Malaysia is emerging, some groups "want to play the same old game" to cry that Islam and Malay are threatened, according to an opinion piece in The Straits Times. 19659004] Written by its editor in Southeast Asia, Reme Ahmad, the opinion piece noted that the rights of Malay Muslims were becoming increasingly anxious and that Malays were losing the benefits they enjoyed [19659004]. some groups, seems to resonate with rural Malay.

Reme said that the recent appointment of three non-Muslims as de facto de facto law minister, the Attorney General and the Chief Justice by the new government Pakatan Harapan still had He cited the head of the PAS information, Nasrudin Hassan, as saying to the Sinar Harian newspaper earlier this month: "Since these three positions are held by prominent figures who caused agitation among the Muslims, there is hope for the 39, future of legal welfare for Muslims? "

Reme noted that an umbrella group of non-governmental organizations called the Muslim defenders movement planned to hold a protest Saturday to protest against what he saw as efforts by the PH government will undermine the interests of the Malay Muslim majority.

"Let us gather with others of our religion to express our dissatisfaction with several developments that threaten Islam and Malayan rights, son of the soil of our beloved" While qu & # 39 It is easy to reject the statements of the Muslim Defenders Movement and others who adopt similar views to those of marginal groups, their call for a demonstration reflects a feeling that is fed by conservative Muslims and upset Malaysian nationalists by the two-month-old Pakatan Harapan government and its so-called "Baharu Malaysia" policy (New Malaysia)

. ] "The power of the message – that Islam and the Malays are threatened – should not be considered as so many idle boondoggles, not when Umno, flexing his Malay nationalist credentials, and his Islamist ally, Islam SeMalaysia Party (NOT "

With social media to help spread those messages, he said," What starts out as the views of specific interest groups could quickly become alternative facts repeated by many "

He also said that the fact that the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) would be confiscated his powers was also of concern to Muslims

to recognize the unified examination certificate (UEC) based in China , to tackle controversies related to the conversion of children to Islam in divorce and child custody cases, and to improve the use of the law. English in the This week, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Azmin Ali, said the government could review two key policies of Bumiputera – the new economic policy and the new economic model – which guarantee Malay quotas in jobs, the Education, housing and government contracts. and one can perhaps understand why the Malay Muslim community is distressed by what PH intends to do during its five-year term. "

Reme pointed out that former Prime Minister Najib Razak had declared that the PH government had allowed Bahasa Malaysia to be raped, and that Islam and Bumiputera's agenda did not go unnoticed. did not have a central place in their administration.

Najib said in a Facebook post in June: "I said that the Malays go" dibangsatkan "(being treated like a bastard) in their own country if Umno loses power. "

Reme said:" The arguments of opposition politicians like Mr. Nasrudin of PAS or Umno MP Najib might seem disproportionate, even ridiculous, to the Malaysian urban elites that make up the Bangsar crowd. But for other Malay people who do not share their liberal world view, the country is fighting for its Malaysian identity and its Islamic soul in a new direction.

"PH leaders, grappling with high government debt running a new administration, must quickly understand that they should be more circumspect when dealing with issues related to Malay and Muslim rights." [19659004] He added that a first test of basic sentiment might come in the partial election in Sungai Kandis where a PH candidate is confronted with an Umno leader and an independent candidate. NOT, meanwhile, asked its members to vote on the basis of the interests of Islam and Malays.

"Yes, there is a New Malaysia on hand, but some players want to play the same old game," Reme concludes.