Malaysian PM goes into damage control mode, defends “Malay first” deputy

KUALA LUMPUR - While Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has left no stone unturned to publicize his 1Malaysia concept which aims at alleviating differences among Indian, Chinese and Malay communities, his own deputy has been embroiled in a controversy after saying that he was a “Malay first, then a Malaysian.”

Razak had to issue a clarification saying that deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement does not contradict his 1Malaysia concept.

“But Muhyiddin is also saying that is he committed to 1Malaysia, so I don’t see that as a contradiction,” The Star Online quoted Razak, as saying.

Razak pointed out that if a person says that he is a Malay, he is not against the 1Malaysia concept.

“Similarly, if you are a Malaysian Chinese, it does not mean you don’t think like a Malaysian or subscribe to the concept of 1Malaysia,” he said.

He, however, said: “What is the meaning of having the 1Malaysia concept if we do not consider ourselves to be Malaysian first?” he asked.

On Wednesday, Yassin had said that he was a Malay first, then a Malaysian.

Yassin’s statement came in response to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s challenge, who had asked the deputy prime minister to resign if he refused to admit he was a Malaysian first and a Malay second.

Muhyiddin has defended his “Malay first” comment by saying that Lim had a wicked intention behind the challenge, as it was aimed at creating a rift between him and Razak. (ANI)