Former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba today expressed support for efforts to abolish the distinction between the bumiputra and non-bmiputra, a key appeal contained in the memorandum submitted by Chinese lobby group, Suqiu.

"We are gathered here to also support to see the economic distinction between the bumiputra and non-bumiputra abolished as proposed by Suqiu's No 4 appeal," said Ghafar, the MP for Batu Berendam, Malacca, at a Malay Action Front (MAF) gathering today.

"We hope there comes a time when we will never again talk about the backwardness of the Malays," he added.

Ghafar was the last speaker at the "Malays will not perish from this earth" gathering organised by newly formed MAF at Putra World Trade Centre.

Suqiu, also known as the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Elections Appeals Committee, issued a [#1]17-point appeal[/#] just before the 1999 general elections.

The controversial memorandum resulted in a rebuke by Umno Youth last month, leading to a series of secret meetings that culminated in Suqiu agreeing to "put aside" seven of its 83 sub-points which allegedly questioned Malay special rights, including the one on bumiputra-non-bumiputra distinction.

Sub-point 4 of the appeal states that steps be taken to abolish in all aspects, the "bumiputra/non-bumiputra" distinction.

Racial tension

The MAF gathering was initially planned to be held at Kelab Sulaiman, Kampung Baru where Malays were said to have gathered in March 1946 to protest against the set-up of the Malay Union and the British colonial government.

A similar gathering was also held in 1987 when the Malays allegedly felt their position was threatened by other races before Operasi Lallang resulted in the detention of 105 political dissidents under the Internal Security Act for allegedly causing racial tensions.

Ghafar said that while he supports the call for Malay unity talks proposed by the Umno leadership, he felt what was more important was improving the economic status of the Malays.

"It is more important to bring the Malays back to their initial position. It is no point talking about Malay unity when we are beggars in our own country," he said as the crowd of 3,000 cheered him on.

"What we need is a united Malay race that can compete with foreigners," he added.

He said that although the country is working towards Vision 2020, it would be pointless if the Malays were merely spectators.

"What role do we play when the country progresses according to Vision 2020 - is it the role of writing 2020 on songkok, roof tops or that of a song writer?" quipped Ghafar.

"When year 2020 comes, we will be gathering and carrying banners that say the country has progressed and the Malays will be the ones who are singing the Vision 2020 song," he added.

Cooperating with other races

Ghafar said that the 30 percent economic pie that should be enjoyed by the Malays had not been achieved and had instead dropped to 19 percent during the last financial crisis.

He added that the percentage will dwindle even further until it was like the situation of the Malays during the British era if nothing was done.

"I support whatever efforts there is to review the present New Economic Policy so that whoever runs the government will ensure that the Malays are guaranteed a 30 percent stake," said Ghafar.

"We are not asking for a 100 percent share. If we could have 30 percent, we should be happy since there is a potential for that amount to increase,' he added.

He hoped to see a Second New Economic Policy that would be more beneficial to the Malays.

He thanked MAF coordinator Ibrahim Ali for proposing his name as one of the committee members for the task force to work toward ensuring Malay unity and Malay special rights.

He also assured that the gathering was not meant as a battle with other races and appealed to the Malays to fight for their rights by cooperating with other races like it was done during the pre-Merdeka days.

"We will not achieve anything if we fight with others. The Malays should live in the spirit of the Malaysian society (Hidup Melayu dalam konteks Hidup Malaysia)," said Ghafar.

"If Malaysia lives, the Malays will live on. I believe other races, especially the Chinese will not be unhappy if the Malays want to enhance their position or improve themselves," he added.

Also present at the rally is Umi Hafilda, a key witness in the trial of deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.