Shahrizat: Do not question the loyalty of minorities

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno members have been reminded not to question the loyalty of other minorities towards the country.
Its chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the Malays and Bumiputras have the responsibility to live harmoniously with other minorities and to respect their rights as stated in the Federal Constitution.
She expressed hope that no one will question the citizenship and nationality rights of races such as the Chinese and Indians who are born here.
"If we do not want them to question our privilege as Bumiputras, we also must respect them as a citizen with rights in this country," said Shahrizat in her policy speech while addressing more than 900 delegates from 191 divisions nationwide at the Wanita Umno General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
Shahrizat also pointed out that Wanita Umno will not tolerate any group that openly presents threats to the social contract.
"In this assembly, Wanita Umno would like to state that we will not compromise with anyone who tries to question Islam as the official religion, the special position of Malay Rulers, special rights of Malays and Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputras, as well as Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, which is stated in the Federal Constitution," she said.
Touching on the Sedition Act, Shahrizat said, Wanita Umno will join forces with grassroot members and non-governmental organisations to start a campaign in getting one million signatures to be submitted to the Prime Minister not to abolish the Act for the sake of safety, peace and national unity.
She said there are a "silent majority" who are worried about peace and harmony in the country if the Act is abolished.
Shahrizat added that the government should proceed with formulating the National Security Act but at the same time maintain and improve the Sedition Act 1948.

In her speech, Shahrizat also reiterated the wing's stand for the party to allocate one Umno vice -president seat under the 3+1 formula.
She said an amendment to the party's constitution is necessary for women's participation in order to move Umno forward.
Shahrizat also called on the members to close ranks and stay united to build the country as a team.
"As long as I hold the position of Wanita Umno chief, I will not allow anyone to undermine the power of the party's women wing," she said to cheers and applause by the delegates.