DAP wants Umno to stop sending sending mixed signals on race and quotas

By Neville Spykerman

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28- The DAP backs Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s reform plans but is concerned with the administration’s mixed signals on Malay rights.

Tony Pua, the party’s national publicity secretary, pointed out that while the prime minister spoke last night about removing quotas and merit-based national scholarships his deputy had promised on the same day that “Umno would fight to the last drop of blood to protect Malay rights”.

He said that although the DAP welcomes Najib’s announcement in Putrajaya last night, Barisan Nasional (BN) should stop the policy of divide and rule among Malaysians of all races.

During the dinner hosted by the MCA and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCCIM), Najib acknowledged that the quota system was flawed and did not benefit Bumiputeras.

Datuk Seri Muhyiddin Yassin was present at the same dinner but according to Pua, he had stirred up Malay racial sentiments in his speech earlier in Pagoh, Johor.

“Taken together with the Prime Minister’s own persistence in Malay-Muslim unity talks with PAS, it raises the question as to whether BN is continuing the policy of “singing a different song to a different racial audience”.

He said this flies in the face of the 1 Malaysia concept being preached by Najib.

Pua said that Umno continues to place Malay unity and Malay rights above all else under its “Ketuanan Melayu” banner while all other BN component parties and ethnic groups are subjugated to its authority.

However, he said the DAP was willing to fully support the prime minister to remove the inefficient and ineffective quota system and replace it with a policy which promotes meritocracy in all sectors including education and the economy.

The policy on meritocracy should be complemented with an affirmative

action policy based on needs and not race.

“We would fully support all efforts to improve the economic livelihood of all poor Bumiputeras and Malaysians.”

He agreed with the PM that the quota system under the New Economic Policy (NEP) has failed the Bumiputeras.

The NEP promotes a rent-seeking culture, cronyism and corruption while benefiting only those who are politically connected, he said.

“We call on the Prime Minister to put his words into action by delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament to call for the removal of the quota-based NEP.”

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written by rights for all, June 28, 2009

Umno need to pay its dues for what it did for 52 years. This does not mean the voters will vote them in droves immediately.

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written by Durian Besar, June 28, 2009

UMNO meaning being UMNO being liars, being corrupted.
They will never tell the truth.

That's UMNO.

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written by Leong Yook Kong, June 28, 2009

It is just that simple. Muhyiddin had offended the non-malay voters by calling them ungrateful after Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections. He feels ashame to appeal to them now and he has to make use of Najib to do so. He will soley concentrate on the malay voters. This is the way to lead a political life.

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written by B.U.N., June 28, 2009

There is certainly a man who speaks with forked tongue in our midst. Yesterday is was 1Malaysia. Today it is Malay Unity. Tomorrow, who knows what he will bring? Malay unity against what or whom, I ask? Surely it must be Malay unity for the good of the nation. But then, why not Malaysian unity for the good of the nation? Unless the man is unaware of the inconsistency it sounds to me like he speaks with one tongue to one group and another tongue to another. Surely this ought not to be so for in all religions we are told to speak and honour truth and to speak with one tongue. So, Najib, where do you stand for you are that man who speaks with forked tongue!

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written by monk, June 28, 2009

UMNO will fight to the last drop of blood to protect Malay rights (unquote)

Looks like UMNO will fight more for their self vested interests.

"Hang goat's head and selling dog's meat", aptly describes UMNO's hypocrisy to benefit itself behind a hollow banner.

Anyway, UMNO has the right to sink further at the next polls. 1Malaysia slogan has no credibility.

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written by sktan, June 28, 2009

malaysia should remove 5-10% bumi discount for houses! my malay boss (a multimillionaire) bought a big bungalow got 7% discount, just because he's bumi. i am chinese, bought a small intermediate terrace, get no discount. why is that malay given discount instead of me when I am way much much poorer than him?
If 1malaysia is to be a success, all races should be treated equally.

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written by bee yong, June 28, 2009

The main ingredient of politics is 'perception'. One need to make one race percept favourable and at the same time make the other race percept favourable in the same subject. In the end both parties do not get the percepted advantage while the politician get it all.

..., Lowly rated comment [Show]

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written by jsn, June 28, 2009

No one will believe what their said..

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written by limkamput, June 28, 2009

From now on, Malaysians are going to judge based on results, not mere words. The government is in position to do something. So we expect actions, not just promises and words. Do it now and show us you mean what you say. Otherwise, it is useless.

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written by Jason Sim, June 29, 2009

I daresay none of the opposition's comments and opinions regarding these events will be published in the mainstream newspapers tomorrow....

..., Lowly rated comment [Show]

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written by M S, June 29, 2009

Being an umno will always be an umno.
They will never change their attitude...liar, racist, corrupt, opportunist
The rakyats are just so tired and fed up for what they have done when they rule this beloved country for the last 52 years.
We will see how they survive the next GE.

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written by zoro, June 29, 2009

If the Non-Bumis still continue to be discriminated by the BN govt, then as a non-Bumi voter, I will not hesitate to vote for Pakatan in the next election.

1 Malaysia, 2 classes of citizenship = Not Fair !

Hello Najib, do you think you can fool the rakyat ? If you re sincere about 1Malaysia, then why do you still classify Chinese, Indians and Others under non-Bumis? We want everyone in malaysia to have equal rights and opportunities.

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written by Hafidz Baharom, June 29, 2009

A word to Tony Pua.

If you are really insisting to remove quotas for the Bumiputeras, then perhaps you can ask PAS about their decision to maintain and increase the housing quotas as the proposed during their Muktamar.

And if Pakatan Rakyat insists on BN to stop sending mixed signals, then perhaps they should form an official coalition and actually have all their component parties fight for the same cause, instead of they themselves sending out "mixed signals".

Otherwise, both the pot and kettle are black.

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written by Ben, June 30, 2009

By grouping the rakyat as bumiputra and non-bulmiputra, NEP is the main cause of racial polarisation. Bumiputra students are sent to study in fully residential colleges, mara junior science colleges, science school and UITM where they are almost totally out of bound to other races. The existence of STPM and matriculation system for pre-U students has led to racial polarisation. The racial imbalance in the government service is another result of NEP that has segregated the different races.

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