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Malaysian leaders must protect all ethnic groups, says UMNO VP
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Malaysian leaders must protect all ethnic groups, says UMNO VP

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A Malaysian leader urged Malays and bumiputeras, as the majority, to be responsible for protecting all ethnic communities, including minorities.
  • He emphasized that Malaysia's strength lies in its multicultural society, a foundation built since independence that requires continuous preservation of inter-ethnic harmony.
  • Leaders should ensure all communities receive attention regardless of their ethnic background, fostering unity rather than focusing on a single group.

Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Vice President of UMNO, has stressed the crucial role of Malaysia's Malay and bumiputera majority in safeguarding all ethnic groups within the nation. Speaking in Jempol, he highlighted that Malaysia's identity as a multicultural society, established at independence, necessitates the ongoing protection of inter-ethnic harmony.

The Malays and bumiputeras, who are the majority in this country, must be responsible for taking care of all ethnic groups, including minority communities.

— Datuk Seri Johari Abdul GhaniStating the responsibility of the majority ethnic groups towards minorities in Malaysia.

Johari stated that leaders, particularly those from Malay and bumiputera communities, must actively ensure that every segment of society receives due attention, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origins. He cautioned against approaches that prioritize only one ethnic group, emphasizing that such a strategy is not conducive to nation-building.

Malaysia was built as a multicultural society from the moment of independence, and harmony between races must be continuously preserved.

— Datuk Seri Johari Abdul GhaniHighlighting the foundational nature of multiculturalism in Malaysia and the need for ongoing efforts to maintain harmony.

"Malaysia was built as a multicultural society from the moment of independence, and harmony between races must be continuously preserved," Johari remarked. He explained that while UMNO is a Malay party, it operates under the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition during elections to encompass a diverse representation of races and religions. This inclusive approach, he noted, has historically included numerous parties within BN, reflecting the nation's pluralistic fabric.

If we want to be leaders in this country as Malays, bumiputeras who are the majority in Malaysia, we must be responsible for taking care of all ethnic groups in the country, including these minority ethnic groups.

— Datuk Seri Johari Abdul GhaniEmphasizing the duty of majority leaders towards all ethnic communities.

His remarks come amid discussions about national unity and ethnic relations, underscoring the importance of inclusive leadership in a diverse nation like Malaysia. The emphasis is on collective responsibility to maintain the delicate balance and ensure that all communities feel represented and protected.

Building a nation cannot be done with an approach that only focuses on one ethnic group.

— Datuk Seri Johari Abdul GhaniCritiquing exclusive approaches to nation-building.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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