Activist and former lawyer Haris Ibrahim has challenged Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin to a debate on the special position of the Malays under the Constitution.
In his blog, The People's Parliament, Haris contended that "the idea of 'ketuanan Melayu' violently conflicts with the final sermon of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) at Arafat".
He added, "There is, in my view, therefore, no room in Islam for any race supremacist notions. Second, that there is nothing in the Federal Constitution that supports this perennial claim by Perkasa, Isma and the likes to there being special rights thereunder for the Malays.
"Special position, under Article 153, yes, but not special rights," he stressed.
Haris also said that he was surprised when he read that the Oxford-trained Youth, Sports and Culture Minister had reportedly said that in the run-up to, and as part of the agreement that led to independence, the Malays had agreed to citizenship being conferred on non-Malays and that in return, the non-Malays "were prepared to accept the special position of the Malays, the Malay language as the national language and the sovereignty of Malay rulers".
Let's debate it
Haris then threw down the gauntlet to Khairy to debate on whether it was the 'special rights or special position' of the Malays that was at the heart of the problem.
"If we both agree that it is only the latter, we all have tea and go home," he said.
"But if, however, we differ, then we get it on... in the most cordial, friendly and civil fashion.
"KJ, you game? Your choice of moderator, KJ. Even your new found friend, Dr M, if you wish," Haris said.
The Rakyat Times Editorial team hereby offers the potential debaters its humble premises to host the debate.
We will even throw in tea, curry puffs and some kuih for this occasion.
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