GPMS to proceed with anti-Suqiu rally
Susan LoonePublished: Jan 5, 2001 3:05 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) vowed to proceed with its rallies to protest against Suqiu despite the group's willingness to set aside its appeals which allegedly question Malay special rights.
GPMS secretary-general, Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad said that GPMS had not received any official statement as to whether Suqiu, also known as the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Election Appeals Committee, had really withdrawn those points.
"We are going ahead with tomorrow's rally. We are doubtful whether Suqiu's actions are true or not," Syed Anuar told malaysiakini.
"We also have to consider the points which have been set aside. We have to look into all the points very closely before we decide to call-off the rallies," he added, when contacted in Terengganu, where the first rally will be held tomorrow.
At a joint press conference today, Suqiu and Umno Youth said that they have agreed not to discuss seven of the 83 sub-points contained in the controversial 17-point election appeals.
The seven points involved Malay special rights, quota system and the call for abolishment of the Bumiputra and non-Bumiputra distinction.
However, the two parties have agreed to discuss the other 76 sub-points which, among others, included issues of human rights, justice, environment, housing, and the rights of workers and other marginalised groups.
Suqiu's sincerity questioned
However, despite the recent development, Syed Anuar said that he was not confident about Suqiu's sincerity in the matter.
"They (Suqiu) did not stand by their words before. They lied (kelentong) that they would set aside the appeals after the meeting with the prime minister but publicised them again in Lunas," he said, referring to the recent by-election in November last year.
He added that GPMS will discuss the matter and hold a press conference tomorrow to decide whether to call off the following rallies, which the group said they would consider doing if Suqiu were willing to retract its "sensitive" appeals.
On Tuesday, GPMS said that it had obtained a police permit to hold the rallies to protest against Suqiu. After its first stop in Terengganu, rallies will be held in Malacca on Jan 14 and Penang on Jan 15.
Syed Anuar confirmed that so far 4,000 people representing 40 non-governmental organisations have registered for the gathering tomorrow, to be held at the youth and sports complex in Pasir Panjang.
He said GPMS had extended invitation to PAS and Keadilan but had not received any response yet.
The group had promised to come up with a 100-point demands to counter Suqiu's appeals but said it will forward them to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for approval first.
Two main features of the demands are the proposal to gazette the prime minister's position for Malays only and to increase the quota for Malays in local universities and private colleges to 70 percent and 60 percent respectively.
GPMS secretary-general, Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad said that GPMS had not received any official statement as to whether Suqiu, also known as the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Election Appeals Committee, had really withdrawn those points.
"We are going ahead with tomorrow's rally. We are doubtful whether Suqiu's actions are true or not," Syed Anuar told malaysiakini.
"We also have to consider the points which have been set aside. We have to look into all the points very closely before we decide to call-off the rallies," he added, when contacted in Terengganu, where the first rally will be held tomorrow.
At a joint press conference today, Suqiu and Umno Youth said that they have agreed not to discuss seven of the 83 sub-points contained in the controversial 17-point election appeals.
The seven points involved Malay special rights, quota system and the call for abolishment of the Bumiputra and non-Bumiputra distinction.
However, the two parties have agreed to discuss the other 76 sub-points which, among others, included issues of human rights, justice, environment, housing, and the rights of workers and other marginalised groups.
Suqiu's sincerity questioned
However, despite the recent development, Syed Anuar said that he was not confident about Suqiu's sincerity in the matter.
"They (Suqiu) did not stand by their words before. They lied (kelentong) that they would set aside the appeals after the meeting with the prime minister but publicised them again in Lunas," he said, referring to the recent by-election in November last year.
He added that GPMS will discuss the matter and hold a press conference tomorrow to decide whether to call off the following rallies, which the group said they would consider doing if Suqiu were willing to retract its "sensitive" appeals.
On Tuesday, GPMS said that it had obtained a police permit to hold the rallies to protest against Suqiu. After its first stop in Terengganu, rallies will be held in Malacca on Jan 14 and Penang on Jan 15.
Syed Anuar confirmed that so far 4,000 people representing 40 non-governmental organisations have registered for the gathering tomorrow, to be held at the youth and sports complex in Pasir Panjang.
He said GPMS had extended invitation to PAS and Keadilan but had not received any response yet.
The group had promised to come up with a 100-point demands to counter Suqiu's appeals but said it will forward them to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for approval first.
Two main features of the demands are the proposal to gazette the prime minister's position for Malays only and to increase the quota for Malays in local universities and private colleges to 70 percent and 60 percent respectively.
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