From: u907736@postoffice.utas.edu.au (Edmund Chia)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Muslims converting to other religions in England!
Date: 16 Oct 92 01:48:41 GMT
Organization: University of Tasmania, Australia

In article <71250@hydra.gatech.EDU>, gt6737b@prism.gatech.EDU (E.A. JAAFAR) writes:
> 
> In article <1992Oct14.070042.9064@newsroom.utas.edu.au>, u907736@postoffice.utas.edu.au (Edmund Chia) writes:
> > 
> > If I remember the relevant section in the constitution correctly, being muslim
> > is not in itself enough to attain 'bumi' rights or to be recognised as 'Malay'
> > One would also have to be Malaysian, adhere to Malay customs, speak Malay and
> > practise the Malay culture. Therefore, theoretically(and in practice), even
> > if one was born of Chinese or Indian parents, one could still become 'Malay'
> > on fulfiling these 'requirements' and claim the special privileges under
> > sec 153, et al. An example would be adopted children from other races in
> > Malay families.
> > 
> > Edmund
> 
> Mr Chia, although I see the flow of your argument but I think that you
> hve misunderstood the fundamental issue of the question.  .d.  
> 
> I must make it clear to you in particular that, it is true, being a moslem
> isnt the criterion  in order to be a bumiputra.  Please do not be confused
> by "hak-hak keistimewaan  orang melayu" and the word bumiputra.    
> 
> I must say I have forgotten under what section(s) that describe "hak-hak
> keisimewaan orang melayu", but that was where the problem was.  One has
> to be a 'melayu'(malay) to get those recognition under the constitution.
> a
> Now, melayu in return, isnt defined by the color of the skin of the people
> that it represents. The word melayu also was interconnected to Islam.  AS
> I've said before, there is a section under the constitution of the federation
> of malaysia that redefines the meaning of 'melayu'.  The definition of
> melayu included in your statement however was undoubtedly true also o.  However
> to claim the 'bumi' status and thus applying the privillages under the
> cited section of the constitution is completely wrong.
> 
> Bumiputra isnt exclusively for 'melayu'.  Melayu is a separate entity and
> only a segment of Bumiputra.  tra. 
> 
> Hopefully I help clarifying s/thing up.  Thank you kindly.
> 
> w
> 
> -- 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> | E.A. JAAFAR, North Ave. Trade School, Atlanta.  GO BRAVES NL WEST CHAMPS.|
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, I did not make the difference between being a bumiputra and
being a Malay clear. A Malay is a bumiputra and the Malaysian constitution does
define how a Malay is legally recognised. This legal recognition would then
allow a Malay to claim the privileges of a bumiputra. However, as Mr Jaafar
has pointed out, bumiputra privileges are not reserved solely for the Malays.
Other indigenous peoples, e.g. the Ibans in Sarawak, the Kadazans in Sabah,
the Orang Asli, the Penan, etc are all recognised as bumiputra under the
Constitution and also qualify for the 'special privileges' granted by the
Constitution.

Edmund
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean