Unity Key For Malays In Addressing Current Social Challenges

By Amanina Mohamad Yusof

PUTRAJAYA, May 8 (Bernama) -- Unity among the Malay Muslim community must be strengthened to address a range of social challenges that have become a concern in recent times, said Musyawarah Nasional Social Pillar chairman Datuk Prof Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran.

He said historical records indicated that 30 to 40 years ago, the strength of the Malay community lay not in business or education success, but in cohesive support for government agendas without quarrelling over trivial issues.

“We stand together in any agenda put forward by the Government. We do not argue, quarrel or clash over minor issues, as we see today.

“Those who are not comfortable with us will take advantage of divisions that occur. So we must defend it (unity). If this is our homeland, then we must return to the formula that has worked well since independence in 1957,” he told Bernama.

Mohammad Shatar said the position of the Malays since independence in 1957 has been safeguarded through strong unity and solid support for national leadership.

“Our presence here today is the outcome of unity and support from the community and the Government at that time, and we must remember that this is Malaysia’s formula, which is greatly admired by other countries.

“We, as a Malay Muslim community, must remember this and hold on to it, and never allow ourselves to be divided by minor differences,” he said.

Mohammad Shatar, who is also Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) chief executive officer, said today’s divisions have allowed certain parties to take advantage of the situation to question matters enshrined in the Constitution, including the position of Islam, the rights of the Malays and the institution of the Malay Rulers.

He said the present situation is significantly different from that of 20 to 30 years ago, with a growing number of issues that have raised concern among the community, including polemics involving the Constitution, the monarchy, the social contract and religious sensitivities.

“Looking at today’s situation, many issues are being raised by certain parties as if they do not understand the social contract, laws and regulations in the country, including the Constitution. They often bring up issues that cause concern among the majority of the people in this country, mainly Malays and Muslims.

“In the past, no Malaysian would have dared to question the rights of the Malays or the powers of the Rulers, because at that time the Malay Muslims were united. Whatever the Sultan decreed would be obeyed and duly implemented without question,” he said.

He also stressed that unity should not be interpreted as denying the rights of other races, but rather understood within the framework of the Federal Constitution, which upholds balance and harmony among all communities.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Shatar said that social issues plaguing society today include social ills and perceptions of injustice in the enforcement of laws.

This perception, whether true or not, must be addressed seriously as it affects public confidence in institutions,” he added.

He further said that efforts to empower the community cannot be left entirely to the government, but must also be driven by awareness and proactive action from the community itself.

“We cannot rely only on the government. The community also needs to play its role, including making use of available opportunities and avoiding an over-reliance on assistance,” he said.

On the Musyawarah Nasional to be held this Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, Mohammad Shatar said the convention would serve as a platform to discuss issues of concern to the Malays and possible solutions.

He said that the main focus areas included strengthening unity, increasing social awareness and promoting action that reflects current realities, particularly among the younger generation.

“Musyawarah Nasional spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is intended to provide impetus and perspective on what is happening today and the actions that need to be taken,” he said.

Musyawarah Nasional, which Ahmad Zahid announced in his policy speech at the 2025 UMNO General Assembly, was established as a strategic consensus space to bring together community figures, scholars, professionals, industry players and civil society representatives to examine core issues that shape the direction of the race and the country.

-- BERNAMA