KUALA LUMPUR: Concerns among Malays that the government's policies are becoming more inclusive and tolerant of others, potentially sacrificing their interests, are clearly misplaced, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In fact, under the current government, the Prime Minister said that the position of Malay rulers, Malay and privileges of Islam, and Bahasa Melayu's status as the official language of the country under the Federal Constitution will never be jeopardised.
"The government and I through our formidable coalition partners have made it very clear that constitutional guarantees are in place, that the position of the Malay rulers, Malay and Bumiputera privileges and Islam is the religion of the Federation and Bahasa Melayu language will never be compromised.
"In fact under this government, for the first time, when we took back the Bandar Malaysia (project) from a foreign entity, we made it clear that there is a minimum portion of 50 acres preserved as Malay reserve, the first time since independence.
"This instils confidence in me because not only Malays but also non-Malays, including my Cabinet, understand that this position and government policy makes it very clear that we are here to be fair, to consider every single Malaysian as one great member of one great family," he said in his speech at the Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA) annual dinner here on Saturday (Nov 30) night.
More to come.
