Muslim Malays agitate for more protection

Muslim Malays agitate for more protection

Protesters hold a banner during a rally to celebrate the government’s cancellation of plans to ratify a UN anti-discrimination convention. ICERD stands for International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. (AP Photo)
Protesters hold a banner during a rally to celebrate the government’s cancellation of plans to ratify a UN anti-discrimination convention. ICERD stands for International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. (AP Photo)

KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of banner-waving Muslims dressed in white rallied in the Malaysian capital on Saturday demanding protection of their rights, at a time of growing racial tensions in the multi-ethnic country.

Big crowds gathered in downtown Kuala Lumpur, chanting “God is great” and waving banners that read “Long live the Malays”. Large numbers of police were on the streets and major roads were closed.

Race and religion are sensitive in Malaysia, which is home to sizeable ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, and the Muslim Malay majority appears to be feeling increasingly insecure under a new government that is more representative of minorities.

The rally was originally intended as a protest against a plan by the government, which took power in May after defeating the scandal-mired old regime, to ratify a UN convention that aims to eliminate racial discrimination.

Authorities abandoned the plan after opposition from conservative politicians and Malays, who feared the treaty could erode privileges they have long enjoyed.

But Muslim groups pushed ahead with Saturday’s demonstration, which alongside the UN convention has become about the bigger issue of defending Malays’ position in society and Islam.

“I hope the other races don’t challenge the rights of the Malays. As a Muslim, I want Islam to be the first [priority]in Malaysia,” protester Arif Hashim, 26, told AFP.

Authorities did not immediately have an estimate for the size of the rally.

Malays — who make up 60% of the country’s 32 million people — have been given substantial help, such as financial handouts, for decades but critics argue the system needs reform.

The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) — the party that ruled Malaysia at the head of a coalition until its election defeat in May — has backed the rally. Former prime minister Najib Razak, now facing multiple corruption charges, attended the rally.

Analysts say Umno is using the event to divert attention from its troubles including the indictments against Najib and his wife in connection with the multi-billion-dollar looting of the state investment fund 1MDB.

The party, long a champion of the Malays, has been engulfed in scandal and infighting since being ousted.

Policies favouring Malays were introduced after riots between members of the Malay and Chinese communities in 1969 that left nearly 200 people dead.

Disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor attend a mass rally led by Muslim Malay activists in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. (Reuters Photo)

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