Kuala Lumpur - A group of 250 Malay non-governmental organisations have joined hands to form the Malay Unity Action Front aimed at safeguarding the rights and interests of the Malays in the context of the country`s multiracial populace. It`s chief Osman Abu Bakar said the front, formed on March 20, was established to chart the direction of the Malays in view of the current political, social and economic development affecting the community.
The front would also seek to uphold the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, the special privileges of the Malays and Islam as the official religion of the federation as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, he told a media conference here today. He said the front would hold its first programme, to be known as Perhimpunan Perpaduan Melayu (Malay unity assembly), in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Merdeka Hall of the Putra World Trade Centre on Saturday.
A forum on "Enhancing Unity for the Country`s Prosperity" to discuss issues affecting the Malays, would be the highlight of the event which is expected to be attended by more than 3,000 people including academicians, politicians, professionals and graduates, he added.
The panel members for the forum are Datuk Prof Muhammad Uthman El-Muhammadi, Datuk Dr Hasan Ahmad and the Federation of National Writers Associations chief Tan Sri Prof Emeritus Ismail Hussein. Former Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Datuk A. Aziz Deraman will be the moderator. Osman said resolutions passed at the assembly would be sumbitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, and the Council of Malay Rulers as well as the country`s leadership for actions.
Source: malaysia.news (12 April 2008)
