Muhyiddin Malay First Stance In The Past Pn Cares For All Malaysians

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Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin has distanced himself from his past remarks about being Malay first, Malaysian second, in an effort to boost Perikatan Nasional's non-Malay appeal.
Speaking at the Indian Unity Festival at the Midlands Convention Centre in Shah Alam today, the former prime minister said the coalition will care for all Malaysians.
"I am a Malay Malaysian. But my thinking has never been to see myself as only Malay. I have to consider the Chinese, Indians and others, because I am a leader of Malaysia.
"I used to say I was Malay first. That is no longer important. I am a Malay who cares for all Malaysians," he said before more than 1,000 attendees at the event organised by PN component Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP).
Also present were Gerakan president Dominic Lau, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Bersatu associate chairperson Dr Chong Fat Full, NGO representatives, and former leaders from MIC and other political parties.
In 2010, Muhyiddin (above) said he was Malay first, but that this did not mean he was not a Malaysian.
The then deputy prime minister was responding to DAP leader Lim Kit Siang's challenge for him to state whether he identified as Malay or Malaysian first.
Lim claimed that Muhyiddin’s stance contradicted the 1Malaysia concept promoted by the government at the time.
No Indian community leader?
At today’s event, Muhyiddin also revealed that he was surprised by views from some of his friends in the Indian community who felt that Indian Malaysians have no leader representing them.
"Recently, I met some of my friends, many of whom happen to be Indian Malaysians. These are successful individuals from the Indian community.
"I asked them what had happened to the Indian community, who is their leader?
"They replied that there is no Indian leader representing them. For me, this was very surprising. It is something unusual," he added. - Mkini

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