“Non-Malays should not question Malay privileges” – Nazri Aziz
MCA and MIC called a press conference seeking Barisan Nasional secretary-general Nazri Aziz to resign from his position. They also threaten to leave the coalition if Nazri remains.
The whole issue sparked when Nazri went to campaign for Semenyih by-election. During his speech, he questioned the appointment of non-Malays in the nation top office, such as Lim Guan Eng as Finance Minister, Tommy Thomas as Attorney-General and Richard Malanjum as Chief Justice. He added that the non-Malays has been enjoying the special rights of having vernacular schools.
As we can see from Nazri Aziz top issues for the past month, all of them are about his insensitive remarks. Additionally, human rights NGOs, Suhakam and Amnesty International, joined in the attack on Nazri. Nevertheless, Inspector-General of Police Fuzi Harun announced that Nazri is currently being investigate under the Sedition Act.
Besides, from the influencers of Nazri Aziz, he seems to be alone in this affair. The only person from UMNO to address on his remarks is the party acting president Mohamad Hasan. However, Mohamad is not supporting Nazri.
The collaboration between UMNO and PAS has been successful lately, in Cameron Highlands and Semenyih. But they have been playing race card heavily for both by-elections. Thus, UMNO is heading toward the far-right position in the political spectrum.
Despite that, Mohamad Hasan still did not go full force in doing so. He seems to be calming down the other component parties of BN by saying that Nazri’s statements is his own personal opinion and does not represent the party.
Will UMNO use Nazri as a scapegoat to retain MCA and MIC in Barisan Nasional?