PAS Tok Guru Nik Aziz Draws a Clear Line Between PAS and UMNO: "BUMIPUTRA" Term is RACIST

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Excerpts:

PAS spiritual leader Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat said in Kota Baru the use of the term “BUMIPUTRA” smacks of RACISM.

Its usage deprived other races sharing similar rights and having the same identity cards of government assistance.

In calling the term bumiputera racist, he appears to be drawing a clear line between his Pas party and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) from that of Umno, which has been championing the special rights of Malays.

Nik Abdul Aziz said the government should form a body to manage aid for the poor in the country and not cater only for a single group known as the bumiputera

Tok Guru Nik Aziz said,

"In an election, other races are allowed to cast one vote, so are the bumiputera.

I DON'T like the (use of the) word bumiputera.

What I like is (use of the word) poor, for all races. The poor, regardless of their race, should be given assistance."

His statement appears to be also in line with Anwar Ibrahim’s concept of “Ketuanan Rakyat,” or supremacy of the people, which has been used to diffentiate PR parties from Umno’s “Ketuanan Melayu,” or Malay supremacy.

Tok Guru Nik Aziz was responding to criticism from Umno against comments made by DAP’s Dr Boo Cheng Hau, the opposition leader in Johor who compared “bumiputeraism” with apartheid.

Umno leaders have demanded an apology from Boo, and say his comments were a challenge to Malay rights and the constitution.