The Indian Muslim community in Malaysia may be recognised as Bumiputera in the near future.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak announced that the implementation will require in-depth study on how the group could receive Bumiputera status either via “administratively or by gazette”.
“I heard the demand made by the Federation of Malaysian Indian Muslim Associations (PERMIM) president Dhajudeen Shahul Hameed, and I accept that Indian Muslims are like Bumiputeras,” Najib said during his appearance at Hari Raya open house event organised by Indian Muslim NGOs in Serdang, Selangor, last night (Tuesday, 18th July).
“The question now is how to implement this; we will study this further to see whether it should be done administratively or, as the Indian-Muslim community have requested, by gazette. However, you are considered Bumiputera,” the PM added.
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During the event, which was attended by 15,000 Indian Muslim NGO leaders and their families, Dhajudeen made 3 requests. They are:
- To gazette Indian Muslims as Bumiputera.
- Set up a Indian Muslim landmark in Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya.
- Select a special officer in the government to oversee the affairs of 1 million Indian Muslims in Malaysia.
“Bumiputera” carries the meaning “son of the soil”, and it is referred to the Muslim community and indigenous peoples in our country. Reports show that Malaysia currently has 68.8% of population living in the country.
Sources: MalaysiaKini via Lowyat Forum, Bernama via MMO, The Malaysian Insight/ Featured image: Free Malaysia Today.
