Patriot: Zahid’s comments ‘puzzling’

KUALA LUMPUR: National Patriots Association (Patriot) president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji has said it is “puzzling” for Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to call on all parties not to “disturb” the Federal Constitution, particularly in regard to Islam, the position of Malay rulers and the Malay language.

Mohamed Arshad questioned Ahmad Zahid’s motive for making such a statement at a time when Umno is going through a turbulent period, with its members leaving the party and its leaders facing criminal charges.

“It is a diversionary tactic aimed at keeping a dying party relevant through its pretense to defend Islam, the Malay race and the rulers. It is puzzling that he has become overly concerned about the issues he raised when in fact no party, especially the non-Malays, has ever questioned the Federal Constitution relating to those issues ever since the Constitution was first adopted.”

He said Patriot holds that the issues of race, religion and the rulers as stipulated in the Constitution are sacrosanct, and are not to be questioned.

“If Ahmad Zahid’s statement is aimed at non-Malay groups and groups opposed to Umno, then Patriot sees it as having no relevance.” – by Vathani Panirchellvum