Utusan not racist, just championing Malays, says Perak sultan

Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah says today attempts to portray Utusan Malaysia in a negative light have become more apparent lately. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 1, 2016.The country’s oldest Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia is not a racist organisation but is portrayed as such by certain groups with hidden agendas, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah says today.

In his opening speech at the Utusan Business Awards 2015, he said, the newspaper has been championing Malay issues since its formation 78 years ago and was only continuing a policy that was part of its core foundation.

This role, the sultan said, did not mean or could not be assumed as Utusan being anti-other races or hating them.

“Whatever negative perception imposed on Utusan Malaysia, it is not a discriminatory newspaper. This can be seen when it defended a Chinese girl (Melissa Gooi),” said Sultan Nazrin.

Gooi was a Facebook user who insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2013.

Utusan Malaysia group assistant editor Zaini Hassan defended Gooi and asked more effort to be taken by the Education Ministry to educate Malaysians on the Federal Constitution in schools.

Sultan Nazrin further said attempts to portray Utusan Malaysia in a negative light have become more apparent.

“It was done by those with an agenda eliminate the social contract agreed upon by previous leaders while formulating the core policies that form an independent nation.

“They are becoming more vocal in questioning the rights of the Bumiputera and do all kinds of subversive activities, trying to diminish the special rights of the Bumiputera as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“Their action is akin to ‘menjolok sarang tebuan’ (stirring a hornet’s nest). They are in fact playing with fire.”

At the inaugural Utusan Business Awards 2015 awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today, the Perak ruler also reminded businessmen and entrepreneurs on the importance of being ethical and upholding strong principles in the current complex business environment tainted with scandals, breach of trust, corruption, leaks and others.

The sultan also touched on the danger of corruption and warned that it could destroy a nation.

“This country has built itself to be among the best in the region because of its ability to draft good policies and implement laws that are fair and transparent.

“These policies have succeeded in attracting investors and traders to do business on this soil… but all that can be undone.

“It is often hard and long to build trust and confidence but to do damage can be done with a blink of an eye, all because of some miscalculation.” – March 1, 2016.