Embracing multiculturalism, meritocracy will not weaken Malays but build resilience, says Syed Saddiq

SHAH ALAM - Muda believes that multiculturalism will not weaken Malaysians, in fact, it will strengthen the country.

Its president, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was responding to a statement by the former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who claimed that supporting an ethnically diverse nation was against the Federal Constitution.

"As the Muda President, I would like to send an unequivocal message that the new generation of Malay leaders in Muda will prove you wrong.

"By embracing meritocracy, we are not weakening the Malays but rather building a more resilient new generation that focuses on uniting all Malaysians instead of dividing them based on the colour of their skin, race or religion.

"As leaders, our goal should be to unite Malaysians," the Muar MP said in a statement.

On July 3, Mahathir accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration of attempting to turn Malaysia secular and multi-ethnic.

He previously said in a Facebook post that promoting multiracialism was against the Federal Constitution as he said the Constitution endorses "Malayness" of the country.

Saddiq said his party will stand for a new generation of leaders that not only accept but aembrace and celebrate diversity and multiracialism.

Just like an attack on the Malays is an attack on all Malaysians, he said that an attack on non-Malays and non-Bumis is an attack on all Malaysians.

"As a country, when we succeed, we succeed together, and when we fail, we fail together. There is no other country to turn to if we fail.

"Unity amid diversity is the foundation of this country we call home. Our independence was achieved through the unity of our diverse population, transcending racial and religious boundaries.

Due to ongoing divisions and the continued popularity of the same old divided politics, he further explained that Malaysia has wasted its potential.

"Malaysia has lost so much potential due to continuous divisions and the perpetuation of the same old divisive politics.

"Malaysia should stand united and focus its efforts on enhancing its image as a great, developed country—one that all Malaysians proudly call home," he added.