Under Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Youth Movement (Gepima) want to be known as Malays and not Indians. And they do not think this is an outrageous request since the Federal Constitution states that an Indian is a Malay “if he professes the Muslim religion, habitually speaks Malay and conforms to Malay custom”.

These traits are practised by Muslims of Indian origin today, claimed Gepima president Mohamed Kader Ali.

“I am a second generation Malaysian and I can safely say that from wedding rituals to the food we eat and the language we speak, we conform to Malay customs all the way.

“As such, Gepima is appealing to the government to streamline the laws and recognise Muslims born after independence as Malays in their birth certificate.

“We have been facing this problem for the past 50 years.

“We have written several letters to the National Registration Department but it keeps saying that it can’t do anything about this.”

Kader’s son, 24-year-old Syed Osman Mohamed, cited an incident last August when he went to the Registrar of Companies to apply for a business permit. “In the forms that I filled up, I stated Malay as my race and Islam as my religion. But the officer called me up and asked me to change it to Indian, based on how I looked. “He only had my MyKad and it does not state there whether I am Indian or not,” Syed Osman said. “We feel uncomfortable to be known as Indians, because people automatically think we are Hindus when we are actually Muslim.” ____________________________________________________________________

Mahathir menyatakan :

...I wonder what’s more embarassing: The fact that Gepima’s Indian Muslims don’t want to be known as Indian, or the fact that Gepima still stands for Malaysian Indian Muslim Youth Movement.

I think if Gepima really doesn’t want to be known as Indian, then first, don’t refer to yourselves as Indian Muslims. If you’re not proud of your heritage, then don’t wear it on your badge. .."

Malaysia lah satu satu negara dalam dunia hanya dapat menukar keturunan dan bangsa, dimana Perlembagaan Malaysia mengistiharkan bahawa sesiapa yang beragama isla, berkebudayaan Melayu, berhasa melayu , maka diiktirafkan sebagai Melayu.

Under Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution, a Malay is defined as someone who practises Islam, habitually speaks Malay and practises Malay customs.