PETALING JAYA: The Malays form the majority population in the country and will remain that way, so there is no need to play up racial sentiments any more, says Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister scoffed at attempts by the Opposition to cause disharmony in the country.
“Some people are talking about how the Chinese want to take over Malaysia but we must understand that the birthrate among Malays is the highest while many Chinese professionals are unmarried.
“Just look at some of our MPs who are not married like Liew Chin Tong (Iskandar Puteri), Teresa Kok (Seputeh), Vivian Wong (Sandakan) and Wong Shu Qi (Kluang).
“When I go to villages and talk to (Malays) my age, I ask them how many grandchildren they have. Some said 20 while some have 15 grandchildren. The percentage of the Chinese (population) is much lower than that of the Malays,” the 69-year-old Kota Raja MP said during an interview at Menara Star here yesterday.
According to researchers, the bumiputra proportion of Malaysia is set to increase from 69.1% in 2020 to 72.1% in 2040, while the Chinese population will fall from 22.8% to 20% and Indian population from 7% to 6.4%.
Mohamad said Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who had wanted the Federal Constitution amended so that only a Malay Muslim can become Prime Minister, was merely trying to gain popularity.
“It’s just a sentiment to show as if they are championing Malay issues.”
Asked about those calling for the Amanah leadership to be more assertive in championing the Malay agenda, Mohamad said this should only be done the right way, which is by following the Quran.
He said Amanah must not act like the Opposition and play up racial sentiments.
“It’s easy to simply hurl insults at other races, but if we want to show what Amanah is, then that is a little difficult because we must explain why Islam is a blessing to all.
“I dislike racial sentiments and racism. I prefer to follow the Quran, especially the verse which says ‘challenge each other in all things that are good’.
“If the Chinese can open workshops, why can’t the Malays? If the Indians can open restaurants, so can the Malay.
“We should instil the spirit of healthy competition, not racial sentiments. While we insult the Chinese, we still look for Chinese mechanics when our cars break down on the way home for Raya holidays,” he said.
Mohamad also urged the Malay community to be more open in learning about the other races in Malaysia.
