Who are the actual traitors?

UMNO leadership is vigorously spreading propaganda that manipulates symbols of race, religion and royalty with the intention of perpetuating narrow-minded views on communal relations. This is not the first time that I have become been branded a Malay traitor.

There have been many similar attempts in the past and this latest effort is a clear indication of UMNO’s increasing level of desperation.

I have no intention of being drawn into a personal dispute with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiuddin Yassin.  I only intend to respond to this issue based on facts and principles.  It is important for me to stress that my views and Pakatan Rakyat’s position is very clear despite not being covered in the UMNO controlled mainstream media.

The statement by the Pakatan Rakyat leadership signed by Tuan Guru Haji Hadi Awang, YB Lim Kit Siang and myself on 8th September 2008 clearly states Pakatan Rakyat’s commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in the Federal Constitution.  These include the status of Islam as the Federal Religion, Bahasa Melayu as the National Language, while allowing for the use of other languages, the sovereignty of the institution of the Malay Rulers, the special rights for Malays and Bumiputeras and the rights of all other races as guaranteed by the Constitution.

We strongly believe we have clear and principled arguments to refute the politics of race and hatred of UMNO leaders who abuse symbols of race, religion and royalty simply to retain power and to conceal their own crimes, corruption and abuses of power.

Betrayal of people’s trust by UMNO leadership continues with the squandering of billions of Ringgit of public funds to pay huge commissions related to military procurements, and appropriation of shares, contracts and licenses that have been allocated for Bumiputeras but have instead been diverted to the families and cronies of the UMNO leadership.

We must not forget that it was UMNO leadership that affronted the institution of the Malay Rulers in 1983 and 1993. And they were also the ones who scorned Islam by issuing additional gambling licenses and selling the nation’s mountains, hills and islands to the same gambling tycoons. The UMNO administration is willing to pawn off the interests of the farmers and Malay small traders by selling Bernas shares to foreign companies.