HONOUR SOCIAL CONTRACT, SAYS MAHATHIR

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said
there will be no dispute over rights if Malaysians continue to honour the social
contract agreed to by leaders of the various communities.

"We had a formula which had worked very well for 50 years. Why do you want to
change it? Why do you want to cause tension between races?" he added.

He was commenting on the presidential address of Najib Razak at the Umno General
Assembly here, where he said that the special rights of the Malays were
enshrined in the Federal Constitution and should not be questioned.

Dr Mahathir said that Najib's assertion on the position of the Malays was a
timely reminder to the people of the agreement among the leaders of the various
races and which had been upheld throughout the years since Independence from the
British.

The former Prime Minister said it was important for the people to adhere to what
was enshrined in the Federal Constitution and which could not be amended without
the consent of the Rulers.

Dr Mahathir said that people who tried to amend the constitution did not
appreciate what was involved.

He believes that any attempt to amend articles related to the rights of the
Malays was bound to cause racial tension.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that there had been confusion in discussions over the
issue.

"But today (Thursday), the Umno President had made clear (what the issue was
about) ...and there is no reason why anyone should raise matters to frighten or
ridicule."

He feels that Najib has, with his "enlightening Speech", helped to stop any
quarrel over the issue.
-- BERNAMA