Utusan tells ROS to reject Negara-ku

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno backed daily Utusan Malaysia has urged the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to reject Negara-ku, an NGO launched last Thursday with the declared aim of fostering unity among Malaysians.

The paper, in its weekly editorial column Bisik-bisik Awang Selamat, questioned the motive behind the formation of the group, suggesting that it was to serve the parliamentary opposition’s agenda.

It also questioned its decision to take as its name the title of the national anthem.

It dismissed Negara-ku’s stated objective—“to foster racial harmony and fight racism”—as mere theatrics, saying the group was formed in a desperate attempt to restore the opposition’s image.

Negara-ku is a coalition of 68 civic organisations. It is led by former Bersih chief S Ambiga, national laureate A Samad Said and former Suhakam chairman Simon Sipaun.

Ambiga said on Thursday that it had no political intentions and did not serve any political party.

She said its purpose was to reaffirm Malaysians’ commitment to the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Agreement and Rukun Negara in the light of recent signs that racial and religious extremism were on the rise.