NGOs led by Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) have come up in support of former Court of Appeal Judge Mohd Noor Abdullah, and claim that Malaysiakini’s coverage of his remarks was ‘malicious and intended to threaten racial harmony in Malaysia’.

In a statement, they said that Malaysiakini had intruded into the forum where Mohd Noor was a speaker.

They also said the hour-long speech had been manipulated by the journalist, who had “only lifted small portions of the speech”.

“The report is one-sided and resulted in readers feeling uneasy, to the extent that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had described (the) statement as racist,” the statement reads.

“It is unfortunate that those who commented in the news portal were not there to hear for themselves and to evaluate the speech as a whole. We question Malaysiakini’s motive in selectively highlighting the speech as well as interpreting it and portraying him as a racist.

“Is someone considered a racist if what is said is based on the constitution? Or are there parties that want to seize the power to amend the constitution which is deemed racist?’

GPMS and Universiti Teknologi Mara Alumni Association were the organisers of the forum.

The NGOs claimed that the speech as a whole was constructive and within the boundaries of what is in the federal constitution, and that this was in line with Mohd Noor’s expertise as a former judge.
Mohd Noor had begun his speech by asking permission to ‘tell the truth, nothing but the truth based on the supremacy of the constitution and the laws of the country’, the statement reads.
“He stressed that Malays need to understand their rights as enshrined in the constitution, as this forms the basis of a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural society in Malaysia.

“He asked those present to uphold the constitution as this is in line with Article 4 (stating that) the constitution reigns supreme compared with other laws which are in opposition to it.”

Mohd Noor, the statement says, then touched on the appointment of the prime minister. Under Article 43(2), there is no provision to make it compulsory for a Malay to hold the post.

He suggested that the constitution be amended to include a clause to make it compulsory for the PM and menteri besar to be a Malay on the basis that this ethnic groups forms the majority in Malaysia. ‘Don’t betray Malay, bumi rights’
Mohd Noor, who is also a member in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s Complaints panel, also touched on the issue of the Malay reserve land as contained in Article 89 of the constitution.

According to the statement, he suggested that land in strategic locations in towns be declared as reserve land so that Malays and bumiputera can share the prosperity and wealth of the country.

Mohd Noor further said that wealth is not evenly distributed and reiterated Article 153 of the constitution, via which the yang di-Pertuan Agong is the protector of Malay and bumiputera rights in Sabah and Sarawak.

He opined that Malay and bumiputera rights should not be betrayed through politics or the seizure of power, as Malays would rise and protect their constitutional rights.
The NGOs said the Malays have been patient and have not reacted aggressively since Independence to protect their rights and those of bumiputeras.

“As a result, Malays continue to lag behind (other ethnic groups). The imbalance has resulted in only 21 percent of Malays holding equity in the economy, while only one Malay is listed among the 10 wealthiest individuals in the country,” the statement reads.

“The wealth imbalance and racial composition may have serious social repercussions in the near future. Malays after awakening to their constitutional rights could rise up to defend their rights.

“We would like to remind Malaysiakini not to report selectively with the intention of (sowing) hatred among races. Such reports do not contribute to the national integration process.”