Sarawak leaders pan Wan Fayhsal’s ‘Malay only’ PM idea

(From left) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Larry Sng and Dr Kelvin Yii say Malaysia should choose leaders who are able to take charge of the country.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak leaders have criticised the proposal by Bersatu MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal to amend the Federal Constitution to restrict the prime ministership to Malays.

State minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said leaders should abandon ethnocentric perspectives if they want Malaysia to progress and gain international respect.

The Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister emphasised the need for the country to move beyond such rhetoric, especially after more than six decades of independence.

“It’s unfortunate to see we still have within our midst leaders who play the racial and religious (card),” he told FMT.

“Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country. If we want to progress and be respected within the country and beyond, we need to do away with all this racist outlook.

“We expect Malaysians, especially the leaders, to adopt a more open and mature outlook. We desire leaders who think as Malaysians.

“We seek leaders who refrain from discriminating against minorities, those who believe in merit-based acceptance to lead Malaysia, rather than being chosen based on race,” he told FMT.

Karim’s comments came following Wan Fayhsal’s challenge to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to introduce such an amendment to the Federal Constitution to ensure that only Malays can become the prime minister. He said he will support such a move.

The Bersatu Youth chief argued that the approach would help instill confidence among the Malays towards the government, especially in light of the recent remark by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang that the Federal Constitution does not prohibit a non-Malay from becoming the prime minister.

Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution states that the only requirement for someone to be the prime minister is that he or she must be an MP who, in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s judgment, is likely to command majority support.

Julau MP Larry Sng cautioned against politicising such issues, asserting that it would not benefit the country’s progress, and would only widen the gap between races.

He also questioned whether this meant natives from Sabah and Sarawak would be barred from leading the country in the future.

“Bumiputeras from Borneo who are non-Malay should be allowed to lead one day. Therefore, any amendment limiting the premiership to one race is discriminatory in nature,” he told FMT.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii emphasised that the vision of the country’s founders was to build a nation where every Malaysian could contribute.

“This includes the possibility of assuming leadership, even the top position, and be measured by their abilities and contributions to the country we call our own,” he said.