When Tommy Thomas was appointed attorney-general (AG), the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government received a lot of flak because Tommy was a non-Muslim assuming a top senior government post.
In light of that issue, a legal expert said Malaysians should be more open to the appointment of non-Muslims as senior government officials because there’s no reason to criticise the hiring of these people. I agree 100%!
Source: FMT
Shad Saleem Faruqi, who is also a law professor at UM, said that we must be ready to embrace equality and someday, accept a non-Malay as a prime minister. He was quoted as saying,
“It is entirely possible that at some point in time we will see a Sarawakian, Sabahan or a non-Malay being catapulted as prime minister.”
“All he or she will need is the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.”
Source: Simi
He later added that the senior government posts were never restricted for a certain race, religion or gender, as written in the Federal Constitution. Shad explained that a non-Malay can assume positions like the chief minister and Menteri Besar but a Malay is usually picked for the position because of “demographic realities”, FMT reported.
“But bear in mind, conventions are not law,” he noted.
Contrary to the claims of some people, Shad assured that the Federal Constitution has safeguards to protect Malays’ and Bumiputeras’ position in Malaysia.
Source: Malaysia Dateline
He then commented that the backlashes received after the appointment of the AG, finance minister (Lim Guan Eng) and the chief justice (Richard Malanjum) were completely unnecessary.
Shad explained,
“There is absolutely no place for race and religion in issues like this.”
He’s right, you know!
If you didn’t know, Tommy is the first non-Malay AG in more than five decades and Richard is the first non-Malay and East Malaysian chief justice. Finally, Shad suggested that Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations should be used as a platform to celebrate and promote equality.
Shad had certainly made some interesting points! Equality is important for us to become a formidable country because it encourages more teamwork and unity.
What do you think of Shad’s statements? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: Law Experts: M’sia Had Non-Malay AGs Before, No Issue with Tommy’s Appointment
