It's 'textbook racism', says LFL on Bersatu Youth chief's statement

PETALING JAYA: The statement by Machang MP and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (pic) to amend the Constitution to limit the position of Prime Minister to Malays only is "textbook racism" and unconstitutional, says Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).

"In heightened global tensions and criticisms of apartheid policies in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is unthinkable and outrageous that a sitting MP suggested something akin to apartheid by legalising racism," said LFL director Zaid Malek.

"Any such amendment would be struck down by the courts eventually, as legislating racism into the Constitution would offend its basic structure," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 15).

Zaid said this means the Constitution cannot be twisted and mutilated to such an extent that it no longer carries the values of democracy and equality that were built into it at Independence.

"It should also be remembered that Malaysia would have no moral authority left to speak out on the international stage, whether on Palestine or any other matter, if such an amendment is made.

"Any such amendment would also clash with Article 8 of the Constitution itself which enshrines the principle of equality before the law.

"Introducing such a racist and divisive amendment into the Constitution would ultimately destroy the very meaning of the Constitution and the principles it upholds," he said.

Zaid said tampering with the Constitution is dangerous, reckless and unnecessary as limiting the role of the Prime Minister along racial and religious lines may fracture the fine balancing achieved by the Constitution.