I'm not being racist, I'm just upholding Malay rights - Zahid Hamidi

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who has been championing the four key thrusts printed in the Federal Constitution as the national social contract, today said that he was not being racist or trying to deny the rights of other races.

Instead, he said he just wanted to uphold the rights and privileges of the Malays in the country.

The four main thrusts were Islam as the official religion in the federal region, Sultan as constitutional rulers, Malay rights and Malay Language as the national language.

"They (other races) want equality and what we want is fairness. Why matters concerning our rights, which are clearly stated in the Constitution, should be questioned? Are we racist if we try to defend our rights?

"Only the Malays can defend the rights of the Malays, but while doing so, we are not denying the rights of other races," he said when opening Parit Umno divisional delegates' meeting here.

Ahmad Zahid said, right now, there were certain quarters who were trying to disturb the four key thrusts, especially after witnessing several disputes that had caused disharmony among the Malays.

"Let's stop fighting, no matter whether we are in Umno, PAS or Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). We, as Malays, should stand united to defend the four key thrusts because they were too valuable and we don't want to be deleted from the Constitution," he said.

He also called on Umno members to set aside their differences and take initiatives to close ranks in a bid to assist the government in helping the people.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, also stressed that any quarters who tried to question and disturb the four key thrusts could be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.