Burning of Utusan an insult to Malays, says MP

A backbencher today described the burning of the Utusan Malaysia newspaper by the Malays recently as an insult to the race itself.

Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) said the official organ of the Malays during the struggle for independence was a noble media but sadly, it was being humiliated by the Malays themselves.

"I wish to ask the Malays who had burnt the Utusan Malaysia several weeks ago whether they were aware that their action was most insulting to the Malays.

"Utusan Malaysia was established 73 years ago in the year 1937. It was the official organ of the Malays in demanding for the country's independence, this was the newspaper that educated the Malay mind to move forward.

"Do the Malays want to insult a newspaper that had contributed significantly to the progress of the Malays?" he asked when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address for the opening of the third term of the 12th Parliament at the Dewan Rakyat.

Utusan upholds Malay rights

Mohamad's speech was interrupted by several members of parliament including Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) who expressed disappointment at the action of the Malays in burning the mainstream newspaper.

"Here, we are not defending anybody, but we are stating that the truth remains the truth. Could they have been influenced by the non-Malay leaders?" asked Bung Moktar.

Mohamad said that since its establishment, Utusan Malaysia had never neglected to uphold the rights of the Malays, and at the same time, it had never denied the rights of the other races in the country.

Meanwhile, Selangor Pakatan Rakyat will table a special motion to denounce Utusan and its columnist Awang Selamat in the upcoming state assembly for being "disrespectful" to state rulers.

courtesy of Malaysiakini