The fallout of the apartheid remark by Dr. Boo Cheng Hau (DAP-Skudai) has been antagonistic as well as sympathetic. But one remark that has touched the souls of many Malaysians was the one etched by TuanGuru Nik Aziz.Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is against the use of the bumiputera term when applying for government assistance.He said the term not only has a taint of racism, but also deprived other races, who share similar rights and possess similar identity cards, of the facility.
In an election, other races are allowed to cast one vote, so are the bumiputera, I don't approve of the (use of the) word bumiputera. What I like is (use of the word) poor, for all races.
This one remark descended deep down the hearts of Malaysians of non-Malay descent. For the Malays, if they are hell-bent on UMNO, the remark means derhaka to the Malay race. But for those Malays who hold Islam in high esteem, this line of thinking is one of the mainstays of the teachings of Islam. What the Tok Guru did was just to reverberate it.
And this is what he has been teaching the Muslims all these while. And it seems the non-Muslims have just discovered this beauty. Brought forth by the tok Guru.
And deep respect they have for the Tok Guru.
He deservingly earned it.
