Zahrain challenges Anwar to ditch 'Datuk Seri' title
Independent MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim challenged PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to give up his 'Datuk Seri' title if he believes that the society must reject the concept of ‘ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay supremacy).
Independent MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim challenged PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to give up his 'Datuk Seri' title if he believes that the society must reject the concept of ‘ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay supremacy).
“I find it odd that they (PKR leaders) are rejecting Malay supremacy to show that they are Malay leaders of integrity,” said Zahrain (left).
Zahrain (Ind-Bayan Baru), a former PKR leader who had a fallout with Anwar, said that the comments made during PKR’s national congress last week “affronted” the Malay rulers, whose sovereignty was upheld in the federal constitution.
If those with titles in PKR refuse to return their titles and insisted on being “thick skinned”, Zahrain said he would personally appeal to the state rulers who accorded the titles to revoke them.
“I have known Anwar for many years and as far as I know, ketuanan Melayu was established by Anwar when he was the deputy president of Umno and the deputy premier, and also when he was Umno Youth chief,” he said.
In fact Malay supremacy was the “core” of Anwar’s struggle, he said, further accusing the opposition leader of having benefited from the rewards of the title when he was still in Umno and BN.
“When he was finance minister, he and many of his cronies received benefits, using their positions as Malays. So now, are they feeling regretful or jealous because they are no longer in power? Do they feel that they are losing out and is that why they are raising this issue?” he asked.
‘Rejection of ketuanan Melayu more hypocrisy’
The only way to prove that they truly are against the idea of Malay supremacy is by returning their titles and all other forms of rewards they had received, if any, from the state rulers, said Zahrain.
“If they have principles and integrity, they should do this. I challenge them to do so and only then can we respect what they have said. For now, however, this is just hypocrisy,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
At the PKR Congress last weekend, party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in her opening speech, called on members to drop the concept of Malay supremacy and adopt ‘ketuanan rakyat’ (people’s supremacy).
“Malay supremacy is a slogan used by a small group of Malay elites who are cheating the Malays as a whole for their own interests,” she had said.
It was echoed by Anwar and new deputy president Azmin Ali who urged for people power to become the basis of the party’s struggle.
In a related matter, opposition MP Yusmadi Yusoff (PKR-Balik Pulau) lashed out at Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah who described Wan Azizah and Azmin as desperate leaders for non-Malay votes.
The Malay rights group had labelled Dr Wan Azizah a “political prostitute” for rejecting the concept of Malay supremacy.
“Arman is a coward for insulting a woman leader who has championed the rights of the people since 1999 after her husband was imprisoned and at the same time struggled for the upbringing of her children,” said Yusmadi (right).
He said 'ketuanan rakyat' would protect the Malays and other communities equally while 'ketuanan Melayu' was “Umno’s way to protect their cronies”.
“As a man, I challenge Arman and every other leader who claims to uphold Malay rights to a debate,” said Yusmadi.
