KUALA LUMPUR – Former cabinet member M. Kula Segaran wants the current federal government to state its stand on whether only Malays can be appointed as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) under its helm.
This is after Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan suggested during his ministry’s wind-up for Budget 2022 yesterday that non-Malays cannot become the head of the police force.
In a statement today, Kula Segaran said Saravanan’s remark in the Dewan Rakyat was dangerous, unfair, completely incorrect and misleading.
“Nowhere in the federal constitution is written what Saravanan has asserted in Parliament.
“In fact, even the position of prime minister is to be filled by any citizen of Malaysia as long as one has the majority support as an MP,” he said.
Kula Segaran said Saravanan should have instead highlighted that the proper criteria of appointing an IGP should be based on qualification and meritocracy.
“Is this what is being discussed in the cabinet? Will this be made policy if the Barisan Nasional (BN) government strengthens its grip on Putrajaya? Do the other races and other Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak not matter when it comes to top jobs?
“These are important questions that must be addressed by the federal government consisting of BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“It must state its stand and if it is not in line with that of Saravanan, a public rebuke and apology to all races must be made.”
On the same note, Kula Segaran said Saravanan’s party MIC must also issue a rebuke on this irresponsible statement for stirring racial sentiments.
In his speech in the lower house yesterday, Saravanan had said that since Malaysia is made up of various racial backgrounds, priority must be given to certain races.
“For example, some here are saying all races must be given equally. Can a non-Malay be the IGP in this country ? No. We must follow the pattern of our country.”
Then, Kula Segaran had pointed out the error and sought the minister to withdraw and correct his statement, noting that anybody can be the IGP just as anybody can be the prime minister.
Saravanan, however, persisted with his statement, saying that since Malaysia is a diverse country, the people have to be sensitive with the racial positions of the different groups.
“We must distribute based on racial composition. I didn’t say (non-Malays) can’t be IGP, but we must understand the sensitivity of this country,” he said. – The Vibes, December 1, 2021
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