In explaining the different shades of racism, Communication and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek travels north of the nation.
Though he does not mention Penang, it is obvious that the Umno supreme council member was referring to the DAP-controlled state.
He said there is a particular group who would insist on merit, as opposed to race-based policies.
"For example, in the absence of such a policy, a state governed by a particular party would say there are no cheap or low-cost houses.
"This would lead to the Malays not being able to afford to be in the same group (of house buyers) ... or enjoy the development (in the state). In other words, this is also a form of racism in the deeper sense.
"They (the ruling party) don't say it outright - that this place is only for our race, and the Malays cannot come here.
"But they use certain approaches where, eventually, only one race will enjoy (the development) and this is the form of subtle racism that is happening," he told Umno Online.
Who owns big buildings, big houses?
Shabery said those who often raise issues concerning racial and religious sentiments hide behind a racist understanding themselves.
According to him, this group would deliberately manipulate racial and religious issues, including isolated cases.
"At the same time, I wish to explain the real meaning of racism. Many do not understand that there is racism without statements and actions in this nation
"For example, this group does not say much in championing the cause of their race but would be enraged when there are those who champion the Malay cause.
"They would become angry when the Malays talk about the special position of the Malays, protection for Malays, the Malay language, Islam and so forth," he said.
"They consider such statements as racist," Shabery added.
Furthermore, the Umno supreme council member said, this group would contend that the Malays do not need policies that defend or accord special position to them.
Shabery said this group would reject the government’s pro-active steps to balance the lives of the people in this nation from various angles, and their motivation is that only race dominates everything.
"For me, anyone can talk about racial interests as long as the intention is not to oppress others. In the context of our nation, who owns the big buildings and houses in Kuala Lumpu?
"In the big firms, which race has the most shares? Therefore, I deny that when we talk about the Malay agenda, it is to stop other races from advancing," he added. -M'kini
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