Ti: Constitution coloured by racial religious provisions

PETALING JAYA: Racism is inherent in Malaysia and is made worse by the Federal Constitution, institutions and administrations that are coloured by racial and religious provisions, says MCA’s Ti Lian Ker.

Commenting on National Civics Bureau (BTN) Chief Ibrahim Saad’s statement that racism in Malaysia peaks around elections, Ti said it was unfair for any one to say that politicians were solely to be blamed for racism in the country.

He told FMT that the inability of BN leaders to contain racial and religious taunts had given rise to the perception that it could not tackle extremism in those areas.

This perception had been amplified by some high-ranking BN leaders who made “foot-in-mouth” statements, he added.

“I have said again and again that Umno, MCA, MIC and other component parties are there to water down racism.

“Historically, we have built bridges and inter-racial goodwill by virtue of our cooperation, understanding and compromises.”

Ti, who is an MCA Central Working Committee member, said BN component parties had walked a tightrope of inter-racial and inter-religious conflicts over the years, but in recent times, a freer media and a lack of education had been exploited by those seeking to destroy the harmony in Malaysia.

He said education was key in overcoming racism in the country, as was amending the Constitution to “free” ourselves of racism. Until this happens, race-based component parties would have to take the blame for racism in the system.

Ti also dismissed Ibrahim’s statement that Malaysians were less racial today than in the 1970s, noting racial and religious minorities were more courageous in challenging or questioning all injustices or discriminatory acts.

“This has been deemed to be a challenge to the ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ concept by some, hence the racial charges.”

Yesterday, at a forum, Ibrahim said issues of race were most often instigated by certain quarters during election campaigns in a bid to increase their political power.

He also voiced confidence that racism in the country could be kept under control and even eradicated.

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