ABSTRACT
To gauge the state of ethno-religious relations in Malaysia, or even the perspective of Malaysians on the state of ethnic relations especially between the Malay majority and non-Malay minorities in this post-1969 era is certain to be a process fraught with problems; in no small part due to the inherently sensitive nature of the subject. For all intents and purposes then, the continued self-espoused rhetoric of pluralism and tolerance so pervasive in the country is largely part of the façade that disguises these hidden injuries and the precariousness of the ethno-religious divide between the dominant Muslim Malays and non-Malay minorities. Surely Malaysians deserved and were entitled to a meaningful public exchange on the legitimacy of Mahathir’s proclamation. After all, given the constitutional implications associated with the proclamation, it would seem rather perplexing indeed that, not withstanding their history of capitulation, significant procedural and substantive concerns were not raised by the Malaysian Indian Congress or the Malaysian Chinese Association.
