No need to be apologetic in upholding Umno's main pillars, says Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno needed not be apologetic in defending matters that touch on Islam, the Malay race and the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said these matters were regarded as the main pillars that supported Umno's existence.
"Umno does not need to be apologetic in upholding these main pillars as matters involving the Islamic religion, Malay race and the rulers are also enshrined in its (Umno) constitution."
Hishammuddin said this at a discussion session with about 100 young Malay lawyers who are members of the Bona Fide Friends of Umno, organised by the Umno constitution and legal bureau at the Putra World Trade Centre, here, today.
Bona Fide Friends of Umno, formed under the bureau, is a group of Umno-friendly legal practitioners who are using the alternative platform to voice their views on issues.
Also present at the discussion was bureau chairman Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
Hishammuddin, who is also the chairman of the Umno General Assembly's Resolutions Committee, said the question of whether the Sedition Act 1948 would be amended, repealed or a new act drawn up like the proposed National Harmony Act did not arise.
"Whether the Sedition Act is amended or a new act promulgated, it will still uphold the three matters involving Islam, the Malay race and Malay rulers," he said.
On the setting up of Bona Fide Friends of Umno, he said, it would be a platform for the young Malay lawyers whose struggles were in line with Umno's with regard to legal issues.
Hishammuddin, a former lawyer, said legal issues were often hijacked by the opposition to serve their political interest to the point of creating confusion among the public.
"Legal issues are not the absolute right of the opposition," he said.
Hishammuddin hoped the group could give their views on issues from the legal perspective in a fair manner and without fear or favour as it would assist Umno on the whole. – Bernama