KUALA LUMPUR: Malays will not be divided although they have a difference of opinion, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said.
“When the leaders quarrel, there will be supporters taking sides but this does not mean that the Malays are divided.
“The Malay mind is not so fragile nor its thinking so narrow because they can judge which is right or wrong,” he said when asked by Bernama to comment on concerns that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s obsession to drive out his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would affect Malay unity.
He said people who said the Malays were in disarray were those who were unhappy with the leadership’s openness.
“Actually, these groups are angry with the prime minister. They want to scare the Malays because they are afraid of the changes taking place, such as the government’s openness.
“They are so used to the old culture that they are uncomfortable with such openness although it benefits the people.”
On claims that 1,000 Umno members had left the party in support of Dr Mahathir, Zaid said the number was small compared to Umno’s total membership of more than three million.
“The people must ask themselves what are the main issues that caused the disagreement to come to this point.
“What wrong did Pak Lah (Abdullah) do? The prime minister was lambasted for losing five states in the last general election but that was not his fault alone, but all of us in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“Unfortunately, no one is talking about reformation or change in BN.
“What I hear is people asking Pak Lah to step down and transfer power. These are statements by power-crazy people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek dismissed a suggestion by an Umno veteran that the king intervene to reconcile Dr Mahathir and Abdullah.
“This is a political problem and of course, any Malay ruler will be concerned with Malay political problems. However, I feel there is no need for the king to be involved in politics,” he said.
Shabery, who is also the information minister, said Umno had experienced far worse challenges and had managed to overcome them without involving the rulers.
Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa had suggested that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin intervene as a mediator.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz also poured cold water on the suggestion.
“Royal intervention? No need la… they are not children. Don’t waste any time over it. If he (Dr Mahathir) wants to leave, let him. We do better without him.”
A more diplomatic Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Dr Mahathir was the type of leader who would not change his mind after a decision had been made.
“That’s his (Abdul Aziz’s) initiative, but for us in the supreme council, we know that once he makes up his mind, it is difficult to get him to reverse his decision,” said the supreme council member.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, however, said the suggestion was a good idea.
source : http://news.google.com.my/news?
Tags: Malaysia culture
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