By Adib Povera, Arfa Yunus

SHAH ALAM: The Kongres Maruah Melayu (Malay Dignity Congress) should not be seen as racist in nature, but as a platform for the Malays to change their fate and restore their glory, especially in the economic, social and political arenas.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the event was not only attended by politicians, but also academicians and members of non-governmental organisations (NGO) to discuss what had happened to the Malays and how to uplift their dignity.

“We are not gathered here to condemn the Chinese or the Indians, but simply to find ways to get the Malays back on track and do whatever necessary to empower them,” he told reporters at Stadium Malawati, here, today.

“The Malays who attended today’s event understood that they have a responsibility to revive their dignity,” he said when asked about the five resolutions presented by four local universities and one NGO which demanded several matters to be in favour of the Malays.

These include ensuring that key ministerial positions only go to the Malays and for vernacular schools to be abolished.

On the latter, Dr Mahathir said while he had heard the resolution, it did not mean it would be implemented.

“There is a demand for single stream schools, but the government is not compelled to implement it,” he added.

Universiti Malaya presented a paper on politics, Universiti Teknologi Mara on the economy, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris on education, while Pas deputy youth chief Ahmad Fadhil Shaari touched on religion.

Also present were Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu and former ministers Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin.

About 10,000 participants attended the congress.