SHAH ALAM - The Malay Proclamation does not equate to ignoring the non-Malays, says Penang Bersatu leader Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq.
He welcomed everyone, be it the Malays or non-Malays, to read the proclamation that was signed by Bersatu and Pas leaders with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in early May, this year.
"It is just a proclamation that we want to state our rights. We did not ask for nonsense.
"What we are asking for have already been stated in the Constitution.
"The Constitution has stated that we, as Malays will take care of harmony and welfare of the non-Malays.
"This does not mean we are fighting for the Malays and ignoring non-Malays.
"It is nothing more than what is stated in the Constitution. The non-Malays should not be afraid, it will not repel them,” he said on Sinar Daily’s Top News podcast.
Khaliq said people might feel a certain way about it because they did not know the contents of the proclamation.
He said he welcomed the non-Malays to read it as it was an open letter.
The 12-point document written by Dr Mahathir aimed to protect the interests of and unite the Malay community to "restore the political power of Malays”.
According to the ‘Proklamasi Orang Melayu’ Facebook page, the signing with Pas leadership, which included party president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, took place at Dr Mahathir’s official residence on May 3.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, information chief Datuk Razali Idris and Supreme Council member Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid had also signed the document in their personal capacities, while the Kedah chapter of Pejuang became the latest to sign the proclamation.
Separately, former PKR vice-president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin had also met Dr Mahathir to discuss the initiative.