Johor Umno Youth: Non-Malay membership proposed

Source: The Star

JOHOR BAHRU: Among the feedback gathered by the state Umno Youth from its grassroots was one that suggested revisiting the idea that the party should be open to non-Malay membership.

The division has been collecting suggestions from the grassroots that members hope the leadership will look into before the party branch elections begin in July.

Johor Umno Youth chief Razali Ibrahim said that there were 149 suggestions over how the party could move forward after the heavy losses in the March 8 general election.

“Everything you can imagine, from the most rational to the most extreme, was discussed,” he told reporters after an eight-hour meeting here on Sunday.

Razali said that the suggestions included revisiting the vision of Datuk Onn Jaafar who had called for Umno party membership to be open to all Malayans (then) and for the party to be renamed the United Malayans National Organisation.

“In his time, his vision could not be accepted, but maybe the suggestion can be received in this new political landscape,” said Razali.

He however was quick to point out that the suggestions mooted were not the stand taken by Johor Umno Youth, but that of the grassroots.

He also said that the grassroots perceived that the rakyat (citizenry) was disillusioned with what was reported in the mainstream media and turned to alternative sources like bloggers for news.

“They said that the mainstream media is the only channel through which the Government can get its messages across to the people, but asked what could be done if the people don't read newspapers or watch mainstream television stations,” he said.

Razali said that the grassroots were now waiting and watching closely the direction the top party leadership would take in response to their suggestions and views.

He said that the 149 suggestions from the meeting would be forwarded to Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Onn and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman within a week.

Not proper to question Malay rights, Nik Aziz tells Ong and Karpal Singh

Source: Bernama

PASIR PUTEH, SUN: Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat says it was not proper for the MCA and DAP to question Islamic-oriented Malay rights.

He said such rights were provided for in the Federal Constitution, hence they should not be raised.

"But PAS will reject the rights if they are solely for Malay interests,” he told reporters after opening an ice factory, here today.

He was responding to the statements by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and DAP chairman Karpal Singh that questioned the speech which touched on Malay dominance by Kelantan prince, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur on April 12.

The two leaders regarded the speech as way out of royal line and trying to drag the monarchy institution into the country’s politics.

In relation to the issue, Nik Aziz, who is also PAS’ spiritual leader, said the party could not support Malays who themselves rejected Islamic interests.

"It’s better to be friends with the Chinese and Indian Muslims who are loyal to the religion,” he said.

Nik Aziz said the country’s sovereignty must be protected but must be based truly on the struggle for Islam by the Malays.

On another matter, Nik Aziz said he hoped the federal government would proceed with the development projects planned before the March 8 general election.

These projects include the road construction from Kota Baharu to Kuala Krai as the state government has already approved the land acquisition for the project.

However, Nik Aziz hopes the state government will be given the power to appoint more reliable contractors for the projects.