KUALA LUMPUR – If he gets the opportunity to lead Malaysia, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim vows to defend the interests of Malays, and at the same time, uphold those of other races.
Speaking at the online launch of the National Islamic Youth Movement’s 49th annual general assembly today, the PKR president said with the existence of multiracialism, it is important that human values and justice be maintained.
“If I am in charge, I consider it my responsibility to oversee my race, their welfare and their education, so they are not left behind or exploited for political gain.
“As such, I am accountable for issues concerning the Malays, and to elevate them.
“But if the principle of justice is given consideration, then I will never violate the ethics and law of justice. That means being just to the Malays, and to not discriminate others.”
He said being just is the true strength of Islam in a civilisation.
“Although we are Muslim by name, our body and actions are based on Islam. Our difference is that we are willing to solve any problems, and we do not just represent views that are archaic and obsolete.”
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said Anwar is not suited to the top job as he is a liberal, which does not bode well for the Malay-majority population.
In an interview with The Vibes last week, PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was explicitly stated by Dr Mahathir to Anwar at a meeting of Pakatan Harapan Plus parties in June.
Anwar today cited two books he recently read, on the importance of justice, moral considerations and ethics in a plural society like Malaysia.
The first is Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny by Amartya Sen, he said, which pointed out that defending the identity of a particular race, if not controlled with the principles of justice and morality, could lead to violence.
“Another book is Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers by Kwame Anthony Appiah, who stressed on the significance of ethics. Without it, everything else is considered bad and of lower class.”
The Port Dickson MP said it is important that Malaysians do not sweep issues of racism under the rug, maintaining that this continues to be a problem.
“Some consider this a zero-sum game, that if we reject racism, it means we reject Malayness (kemelayuan). These are shallow-minded arguments that are rejected by all religions.” – The Vibes, December 26, 2020
