This is the second of a three-part series on Article 152 and 153 of the Federal Constitution (click here for Part 1). Here, Malaysian Digest enquired the opinions of three Members of the Parliament - Datuk Idris Haron, Haji Salleh Kalbi and Nurul Izzah Anwar - on what are arguably the most controversial articles of our Constitution.

Speaking to Umno MP for Tangga Batu, Datuk Idris Haron (below), he vindicated that both article 152 and 153 were agreed upon by all parties during the construction of the Federal Constitution in 1957. To Idris, these two articles on the privileges of Malays and Bumiputera signify the country’s spirit of tolerance and acceptance since there are very few democratic nations at that time that offer minorities opportunity to be candidates during general elections.

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“In Malaysia you can see that with the spirit of unity and diversity where we are not only diverse in beliefs, our ways of life and descendents, but also in the physical appearance and skin colour. While we appreciate the diversity among us, we are always in the position to find the commonalities among us,” Idris said.

“That’s why when anyone that comes with the crazy idea to amend this article 152 and 153, they don’t really see our present way of life. We can see that even minorities like the Indians are not only given the opportunity to contest in the election but they are also representing their people (in political parties),” he added.

Idris continues by stating that the two articles compliment the spirit of 1Malaysia and that is why its slogan is ‘Unity in Diversity’ - because we appreciate each others’ differences. The Malays, Chinese and Indians are sensitive towards each other to a certain extent where each race accepts and respects one another’s beliefs. According to Idris the spirit of tolerance are extremely high for a racial mix that is somewhat contrasting. Idris put diets of the respective races as an example of our distinct differences: “Malays who are predominantly Muslims can’t eat pork while the Indians believe that the cow is a sacred being and not to be eaten.

“We are always in the position to give and take so there may be some setbacks for the Malays, Chinese and Indians, but one thing that we are better at than rest is we aim for one mission that is for this country to be in peace and calm, with no racial riots and no demonstrations. That is why we should preserve both article 153 and 152,” said The MP who was born in Pekan Asahan, Melaka on 13 May, 1966.

Meanwhile, Umno MP for Silam, Haji Salleh Kalbi (below) stated that when Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia through the Cobbold Commission, it was agreed that the rights of the Bumiptera (indigenous Malaysians) would be protected through Article 152 and 153. He is also in the view that the Bumiputera would be left behind if these articles were to be amended.

“You can see what happened to the aborigines in Australia and the native Indians in America where they were only given small pieces of land by their respective governments. They were even prohibited from using their (respective) native languages. It’s ridiculous. That is because they don’t have such articles in their (respective) constitutions,” he said.

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On the other side of the political spectrum, PKR MP for Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar’s main concern is for Malaysians to focus more on finding ways to create greater harmonization between races instead of politicising the issue of Malay rights and privileges.

“It’s been stated that in a manifesto signed by all three Pakatan Rakyat component parties (PKR, DAP, PAS) last December and it was agreed upon that at the end of the day whatever that is enshrined in the Constitution is really important and reflects Malaysia and what we should stand for and what we should be focusing more on existing laws that contradict to the spirit of the constitution,” Nurul Izzah said.
 
Nurul Izzah also took shots at extreme right-wing pressure group Perkasa which she believes is detrimental to the multi-racial spirit behind the Constitution.

“I’m just concerned and saddened by the efforts of certain groups including Perkasa that are trying to destroy the identity of the Constitution. When it (Article 152 and 153) was created, I don’t think that it is meant to degrade any particular race in the country. The manner and angle that they (Perkasa and similar groups) are using is actually making things worse,” she said.
 
Nurul Izzah also conveyed that she is dismayed by the actions of certain parties that politicise and exploit Article 152 and 153 to further encourage bigotry among Malays.

“What’s so sad for the Malays is that imagine they are trying to focus the blame on these two articles whereas I think the blame should squarely be on politicians and personalities that are using the issue of Malay rights on the narrow minded,” she added.