SHAH ALAM 22 September - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon came today to the defence of fellow cabinet member Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz against insinuations the latter was failing to fulfill his role as a Malay leader if he embraced a 'Malaysian' identity.

Being Malaysian would not make citizens of the country any less Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban or other ethnic identity, said the Gerakan president.

To regard oneself as Malaysian is consistent with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia spirit, which puts inclusiveness and social justice above race and religion.

 

As such, Koh (left) said he is in agreement with Nazri over his latest 'Malaysian first' remarks, as it is not dissimilar to the idea of Bangsa Malaysia as envisioned in Vision 2020.

"Malaysia should move forward with 1Malaysia and not to be distracted by old baggages of racial sentiments. We should unite rejecting all types of extremism," said Koh in a statement.

Being 'Malaysian first' is also in line with Gerakan's non-racial political ideology and approach, and clearly resonates with the thoughts of the majority of Malaysians who are moderate and fair-minded, Koh said further.

Koh was commenting on the public spat between various public figures over whether being Malaysian first compromised their identity and responsibilities as members of their respective ethnic groups.

Yesterday, de facto law minister and Umno supreme council member Nazri (right) wrote an open letter to Malay-daily Utusan Malaysia accusing its Sunday 'Awang Selamat' columnists of parochial racism.

Awang columnists, on the other hand, accuse Nazri of betraying the principles of Umno and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.