Islamist MP wants Malays as finance minister, attorney general in Malaysia

An Islamist MP from the state of Kelantan is urging the government which is run by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to ensure that all top government positions are held only by Malays.

This would include the post of the attorney general and the post of the minister of finance, both held by non-Malays since the Pakatan Harapan came to power last year.

The Pasir Mas member of parliament Ahmad Fadhil Shaari presented his views on the religion cluster at the ‘Malay Dignity’ forum officiated by Dr Mahathir and attended by Islamic party leader Hadi Awang, Justice Party deputy leader Azmin Ali (who is also Economic Affairs Minister), Umno’s secretary-general Annuar Musa and Parti Amanah Nasional leader and Minister of Defense Mat Sabu.

In his statement, the MP said, “This includes positions such as Chief Justice, Attorney-General, Chief Secretary, Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Forces and other strategic positions such as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Menteris Besar, Finance Minister, Defence Minister and Education Minister.

“This congress also urged the Bar Council, Suhakam and liberal NGOs to not meddle in Islamic matters,” said Ahmad Fadhil, who represented Persatuan Peguam Muslim Malaysia (The Muslim Lawyers Association).

Lim Guan Eng from the Democratic Action Party is the Minister of Finance and Tommy Thomas is the attorney general.

The congress organised by four Universities in Malaysia also presented a photo opportunity for Islamist party leader Hadi Awang and Annuar Musa of Umno.

They managed to hold hands with Dr Mahathir, Hadi on the left of the PM and Annuar on the right while Azmin Ali was on the left of Hadi. They raised hands together in unison, showing Malay unity.

Anwar Ibrahim, the de-facto Prime Minister-to-be of Malaysia was not at the event. He was not invited because his party is not a Malay-based party but many questioned why his deputy leader was at the event?

Dr Mahathir said he attended the event not as Prime Minister but as a ‘Malay leader’, sparking comments within the Pakatan Harapan coalition since Anwar is also a Malay leader.

At the event, Dr Mahathir defended his presence at Sunday’s event, saying that as a Malay he had the right to attend it.
He also dismissed calls by some Pakatan leaders for him to give the event a miss.

Dr Mahathir also said he believed the gathering was necessary for the Malay community to take action and improve their lot in the wake of divisions among them.

He told the 5000-strong crowd the Malays are politically divided into many parties, including his party the Bersatu and this means the Malays needed the support of other communities to win elections. -/TISG