UMNO is Desperate

Utusan ‘war’ warning shows Umno desperate, says Anwar

By Adib Zalkapli

August 18, 2010

Anwar: Various parties are trying to instigate one racial group against the other.

PETALING JAYA, Aug 18 — Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim slammed Utusan Malaysia today for its warning of impending war if the government fails to resolve racial issues in the country.

The PKR de facto leader also dismissed any knowledge of the existence of a "new constitution", which Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria claimed proposes the abolishment of the special position of the Malays and Islam.


“I do not normally entertain Utusan’s views. But this is the final attempt by a dying party to use racial sentiment. If the constitution exists, they should investigate,” Anwar told a press conference at the party headquarters here.
“This is their tactic to cover up corrupt practices and oppression,” he added.
Utusan Malaysia senior editor Zaini Hassan in his weekly column said a major war or ‘perang besar’ could erupt soon, if the government does not address racial issues that are being debated publicly.
Zaini wrote that such a war would dwarf the 1969 racial riot, which he described as a minor social unrest.
“Various parties are trying to instigate one racial group against the other. This includes attempts to amend the federal constitution into a new constitution,” wrote Zaini.

The Umno-owned daily also quoted former PKR leader turned independent MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim who claimed that his former party was behind the "new constitution", which was allegedly drawn up after Election 2008 in an attempt to win more Chinese support.
Anwar said the authorities should investigate if there is any attempt to draw up a new constitution.
“I do not believe that anybody would want to start a conflict unless it is for self-interest,” said Anwar.
“Just like the banner case, if it is true there is a new constitution, they should investigate,” he added referring to the Johor banner endorsing Datuk Chua Jui Meng as mentri besar which also carried the picture of the Sultan of Johor.

Anwar said Pakatan Rakyat parties had declared their commitment to the special position of Malays and Islam in the constitution through the coalition’s common policy framework which was launched in December last year.
“For us in Pakatan Rakyat, I along with Tok Guru Haji Hadi, Lim Guan Eng have signed an agreement accepting the existing provisions in the constitution,” he said.
MI