DPM: BN TREATS ALL EQUALLY
‘As a multiracial country, we will not marginalise people’
THE Barisan Nasional (BN) government has always treated all races equally, despite Malays and Muslim forming the majority in Malaysia’s multiethnic and multireligious society.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said even if the Malay population increased from year to year, it would not change how the government served the people.
‘The current percentage of Malays and Muslims is at 68 per cent, and by 2050, it will increase to about 80 per cent.
“But as a multiracial country, we will not marginalise other races,” he said before some 1,200 people at a breaking-of-fast event at Rafe’ah Mosque in Taman Uda here yesterday.
Present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim. Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz.
Zahid said Malaysia practised moderate Islam values, thus, anyone who accused Malaysia of being a secular country should refer to the Federal Constitution.
He said the Constitution had stated that Islam was the religion of the federation, but other religions were allowed to be practised.
Later at the event, titled Penerapan Nilai Murni (Instilling pure values), Zahid presented Ramadan contributions to 26 orphans and 74 needy people.
Kedah was the fourth state in Zahid’s visit under the programme after Terengganu, Negri Sembilan and Selangor.
He later joined congregation of Masjid Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Kedah to perform tarawih prayers followed by a moreh feast.