The Malaysian Insight

ORGANISERS of the contentious Malay Dignity Congress have defended a beleaguered public university vice-chancellor who spoke at the event, arguing that his speech had been “politicised”.

Zaini Hassan, who heads the congress’ secretariat, told The Malaysian Insight that there was nothing racist in Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim’s speech at the October 6 gathering.

He said critics trained their guns on Rahim because they did not dare attack Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the event’s guest of honour.

“(Detractors) are attempting a reverse psychology tactic on Malays. The congress was dedicated to strengthening Malays.

“They cannot attack the PM, so they attack the weakest. These types of tactics can weaken the nation. This thing became an issue because of political reasons.

“The education minister was also at the congress, but why was his presence not questioned?” said Zaini, who is former assistant chief editor at the now-defunct Utusan Malaysia daily.

He was commentating on the controversy that erupted over Rahim’s address, which asserted that Malay dominance ended after the 14th general election.

The speech triggered a solo protest by UM engineering graduate Wong Yan Ke, who revealed a placard during his convocation, urging Rahim to resign over his comments that were deemed racist.

The university has lodged a police report against Wong.

It was reported that Rahim said Malay political dominance ended after Barisan Nasional lost GE14, and that he warned non-Malays not to question the country’s “social contract”.

He had also said after 62 years of independence, the Malay economy still lagged behind.

“Malay-Bumiputera equity stands at 23.4%, non-Bumis hold 34.8%, and foreigners hold 37.2%. This shows the aims of the New Economic Policy have not been achieved.”

The congress was organised by four universities, namely UM, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara.

It drew leaders from across the political spectrum, such as Dr Mahathir, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali, Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Despite criticism from his own Pakatan Harapan colleagues, Dr Mahathir had insisted he had the right to attend the event as he was Malay.

Zaini said the congress was only for Malays and focused on the group’s issues, and that Rahim did not mention other communities.

PH activist Eekmal Ahmad said Rahim need not resign from his UM post, but added that the event’s focus was too narrow.

“I have read Rahim’s speech many times, and I don’t think there is cause for him to resign.

“However, I feel that his speech was mediocre. He did not take the opportunity to speak on a wider theme and offer solutions to Malays.”

Eekmal said he chose not to attend the congress because it was a forum to vent frustrations that had been expressed many times before. – October 23, 2019.