KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 - Opposition parties Pas and PKR said today the reminder issued by the Conference of Malay Rulers yesterday is a warning to Umno not to incite racial hatred.
"I believe it was intended for the race based political parties and also media like Utusan Malaysia, which has been promoting racial hatred, through their reports and even short stories," said Pas vice president, Datuk Husam Musa.
A short story published by Utusan Malaysia last week has been criticised as incitement and a thinly-veiled attack on Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
Husam, who is known to be a protege of Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, said that Umno should not misinterpret the Rulers' reminder and exploit it for its own political gain.
"Umno should get the message from the Rulers not to cause racial tension, and as the ruling party it is in the best position to do so," he told The Malaysian Insider.
He added the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, has agreed to defend the Federal Constitution, specifically on the Malay language and the special position of the Malays and Bumiputeras.
"Pakatan Rakyat is a multi racial coalition, we always want to maintain racial harmony. There are Malay, Chinese and Indian members in DAP and in PKR," he added.
PKR information chief, Tian Chua also expressed a similar view, adding that it was a fair statement.
"It is a reminder not to politicise the issue, no political force can claim to be defending the rights of any race," said the Batu MP.
"In a way this is also a warning to Umno that this issue is none of your business. It is the Monarchy that is supposed to look after the Malay rights," said Tian.
The Conference of Malay Rulers yesterday issued a rare press statement urging everyone not to question the provisions in the Federal Constitution relating the special position of the Malays.
"It is not proper to dispute and question this Social Contract and more so to subject it to a review or change because it is the primary basis of the formation of Malaysia
"Therefore, it is appropriate for the Malay Rulers to remind that there should never be any attempt ever to test and challenge issues related to the Social Contract," said the statement.
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