Federal Constitution enshrines equality for every Malaysian

Press Statement Issued by the MCA Publicity Dept

Reference is made to the counter statements by various individuals implying that the MCA President’s earlier statements made on behalf of the party in response to the remarks by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra were seditious.

MCA wishes to clarify that we recognise the special position of the Malays as stated in Article 153 and in no way wishes to challenge that position as stated under the Federal Constitution. In fact, it is the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard BOTH the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak AND the legitimate interests of all other communities.

We also wish to emphasise and reiterate that all Malaysians - Malays and non-Malays alike – enjoy same and equal fundamental rights and liberties as enshrined under Part II of the Federal Constitution.

For that reason, while recognising the special “position” of the Malays under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, MCA wishes to stress that all Malaysians enjoy equal “rights” under the Federal Constitution.

It follows that no one race should feel superior or inferior in this country. It is on this basis that our President’s earlier statement was issued.