DAP leader Sheikh Umar defends ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ clause, says not unconstitutional

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — DAP’s “Malaysian Malaysia” slogan in Clause II of its party constitution is not in violation of the Federal Constitution, central executive committee (CEC) member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali told a news portal last night.

He was responding to a suggestion from a bitter foe-turned-ally for the DAP to amend its constitution to woo Malay voters who disagree with its ideas on secularism, Free Malaysia Today reported.

“There is no issue with ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ as that spirit aligns with the essence of the Federal Constitution

“Elements, such as (Malay) language, Malay privileges, religion and more are already explicitly provided in the Federal Constitution,” he was quoted as saying.

Sheikh Umar who is also the Johor DAP vice-chief said the slogan should not be seen as threatening the country’s diverse cultures.

The former Paloh assemblyman said DAP followed the requirements for an organisation's registration as well as the Federal Constitution when it was formed.

“Until today, DAP operates as a legitimate political party and participates in general elections,” he was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said his party stopped working with the DAP when the latter insisted the Islamist party embrace secularism.

PAS and DAP were previously partners in the same Pakatan Rakyat coalition formed in 2008, the forerunner to the current ruling Pakatan Harapan.

Prior to that, PAS and DAP had teamed up to form Barisan Alternatif in the reformasi era of the late 1990s to take on the Barisan Nasional coalition in the general elections.

Last Wednesday, Umno supreme council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed called on new ally DAP to amend its party constitution in order for the federal government coalition to gain support from Malay voters.

Nur Jazlan said Umno is having difficulties in doing so due to the perception of DAP’s purported “extreme” views on a secular state and “Malaysian Malaysia” slogan.

Despite Nur Jazlan’s claim, Clause II in DAP’s party constitution only describes the Federal Constitution as a secular document and a “secular framework as the supreme law of the land”

Another article under the clause promoting national integration also called for the party to “infuse a national spirit and unity amongst all races to forge a common identity of a united Malaysian Malaysia”.

Since DAP became part of the unity government, both the party and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have insisted that it respects the positions of Malays, Islam and Malay Rulers in the country.