ALL QUARTERS SHOULD STOP TALKING ABOUT MALAY SUPREMACY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister
Shafie Apdal urged all quarters including members of parliament to stop talking
about Malay supremacy as it can create suspicion within the society.

He said Malay supremacy did not mean that there existed a
master and slave situation among the various races.

"For example, I call the chairman Tuan Pengerusi but this does not mean
that
I am a slave but as a mark of respect for the chairman who conducts this
meeting," he said when winding up debate on his ministry's budget in Lower House
of Parliament Tuesday.

Shafie said Malay supremacy referred to the country's sovereignty
based on a
constitutional monarch and history showed that it originated from Malay
States.

As such, Malay supremacy should not be twisted or
politicised.


He said the government had made numerous efforts to strengthen racial unity
since independence in 1957 and after the May 13 riots in 1969.

They include implmentation of the New Economic Policy (NEP), setting up
national schools, National Service (PLKN), creation of National Unity and
Integration Department and National Unity Advisory Panel, appointment of
officers from various races in public sector and hosting six Malaysia open house
events.

To a suggestion by Mohamad Aziz, a National Front MP that Malaysia open
house be scrapped as it did not foster unity, Shafie said it was a national
programme promoting unity via cultural shows and exhibitions.

"More than 30,000 people from all races attended each Malaysia open house.
It had also created awareness and respect among the young."

On the National Fatwa Council's decision to ban yoga for Muslims, he said
the body had the right and responsibility to decide whether yoga was bad or good
for Muslims.

-- BERNAMA