IT IS not that non-Malays in general – or those in the MCA and MIC in particular – fail to respect the constitutional provisions regarding the Malays, the official position of Islam or the monarchy. These provisions are not being questioned.
Therefore, there is no need for UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Mohamad Akmal Saleh to assert that UMNO is the sole defender of these constitutional tenets.
The MCA and MIC are not criticising UMNO for defending constitutional provisions on race, religion and royalty (the 3Rs) but rather for going politically overboard in championing Malay-Muslim interests to the detriment of others.
Akmal and others should not frame their actions as a mere defence of constitutional principles. The real issue is not in upholding these provisions but in how UMNO’s political manoeuvring often overshadows the constitutional rights of non-Malays.
Despite non-Malays comprising nearly 40% of the population, UMNO frequently acts as though they do not exist.
‘Junior partners’
This disregard extends to MCA and MIC whose political relevance has eroded significantly. By sidelining non-Malay interests, UMNO undermines both the spirit and letter of the Federal Constitution and the role of its long-time coalition partners.
It is not that MCA and MIC are incapable of re-positioning themselves but their historical deference to UMNO has reduced them to junior partners in a coalition where UMNO reigns supreme.
The political elite within MCA and MIC prioritised power, positions and perks over asserting the constitutional safeguards meant to protect non-Malay communities. This passive accommodation led to their steady decline.
Rather than confronting UMNO or advocating for their constituencies, MCA and MIC leaders have long chosen to remain silent.
Grumbling in private about their shoddy treatment achieves nothing. Except during elections – when their support becomes useful – UMNO no longer values these parties.
Today, DAP – once vilified by UMNO – has become its new political partner. This re-alignment has humiliated MCA and MIC, reducing their standing even further.
Ironically, DAP appears unbothered by the irony of aligning with its former adversary in pursuit of the 3Ps: power, positions and perks.
Curiously, firebrand Akmal has had little to say about UMNO’s partnership with DAP. Is he reluctant to reflect on this marriage of convenience because of what it reveals?
For MCA and MIC, the writing is on the wall: UMNO no longer wants them. The only question that remains is how much more humiliation they will endure before deciding to exit the decaying structure of Barisan Nasional (BN). – May 3, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Image credit: Aliran
