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Monday, April 21, 2008

Not proper to question Malay rights, Nik Aziz tells Ong and Karpal Singh

(BERNAMA): PASIR PUTEH, SUN: Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat says it was not proper for the MCA and DAP to question Islamic-oriented Malay rights.

He said such rights were provided for in the Federal Constitution, hence they should not be raised.

"But PAS will reject the rights if they are solely for Malay interests," he told reporters after opening an ice factory, here today.

He was responding to the statements by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and DAP chairman Karpal Singh that questioned the speech which touched on Malay dominance by Kelantan prince, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur on April 12.

The two leaders regarded the speech as way out of royal line and trying to drag the monarchy institution into the country's politics.

In relation to the issue, Nik Aziz, who is also PAS' spiritual leader, said the party could not support Malays who themselves rejected Islamic interests.

"It's better to be friends with the Chinese and Indian Muslims who are loyal to the religion," he said.

Nik Aziz said the country's sovereignty must be protected but must be based truly on the struggle for Islam by the Malays.

On another matter, Nik Aziz said he hoped the federal government would proceed with the development projects planned before the March 8 general election.

These projects include the road construction from Kota Baharu to Kuala Krai as the state government has already approved the land acquisition for the project.

However, Nik Aziz hopes the state government will be given the power to appoint more reliable contractors for the projects.

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