'Putrajaya, is it true only Malays can be IGPs?' - The Malaysian 'Glass Ceiling'

theVibes.com:

'Putrajaya, is it true only Malays can be IGPs?'

Former minister M. Kula Segaran demands govt’s stance on whether people of other races can wear top cop mantle

Dangerous, unfair, completely incorrect and misleading, says M. Kula Segaran (pic) of Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan’s remark in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that non-Malays cannot head the country’s police force. – Roketkini pic, December 1, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – Former cabinet member M. Kula Segaran wants the current federal government to state its stand on whether only Malays can be appointed as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) under its helm.

This is after Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan suggested during his ministry’s wind-up for Budget 2022 yesterday that non-Malays cannot become the head of the police force.

In a statement today, Kula Segaran said Saravanan’s remark in the Dewan Rakyat was dangerous, unfair, completely incorrect and misleading.

“Nowhere in the federal constitution is written what Saravanan has asserted in Parliament.

“In fact, even the position of prime minister is to be filled by any citizen of Malaysia as long as one has the majority support as an MP,” he said.

Kula Segaran said Saravanan should have instead highlighted that the proper criteria of appointing an IGP should be based on qualification and meritocracy.

“Is this what is being discussed in the cabinet? Will this be made policy if the Barisan Nasional (BN) government strengthens its grip on Putrajaya? Do the other races and other Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak not matter when it comes to top jobs?

“These are important questions that must be addressed by the federal government consisting of BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“It must state its stand and if it is not in line with that of Saravanan, a public rebuke and apology to all races must be made.”

On the same note, Kula Segaran said Saravanan’s party MIC must also issue a rebuke on this irresponsible statement for stirring racial sentiments.

In his speech in the lower house yesterday, Saravanan had said that since Malaysia is made up of various racial backgrounds, priority must be given to certain races.

“For example, some here are saying all races must be given equally. Can a non-Malay be the IGP in this country ? No. We must follow the pattern of our country.”

Then, Kula Segaran had pointed out the error and sought the minister to withdraw and correct his statement, noting that anybody can be the IGP just as anybody can be the prime minister.

Saravanan, however, persisted with his statement, saying that since Malaysia is a diverse country, the people have to be sensitive with the racial positions of the different groups.

“We must distribute based on racial composition. I didn’t say (non-Malays) can’t be IGP, but we must understand the sensitivity of this country,” he said. – The Vibes, December 1, 2021

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kt comments:

In Malaysia some positions are sacrosanct to the Malays especially today. These are:

Political:

a. PM

b. Home

c. Finance

d. Defence

Only two Chinese have breached the 'glass ceiling', namely, Tan Siew Sin and to a very limited extent, Lim Guan Eng, out of obligation to PH for supporting him. Even then, Mahathir severely pared down the latter's portfolios, those of importance-use to his "agenda", and gave those to his blue-eyed boy as the newly formed Economic Minister.

If you want to include Ling Liong Sik's one day syiok-arisation as BN Chairman cum PM whilst Mahathir was battling out with Ku Li and the Judiciary, then it's OK though I wouldn't count it officially, wakakaka. 

Public Service:

a. Chief Secretary

b. IGP

c. Armed Forces Service Chiefs

Only Rear Admiral K Thanabalasingam was the sole non-Malay CNS, and only then under still-strong Pommie influence and presence in the RMN.

As a new Service, the TUDM or Air Force could possibly have nons as Chiefs but the government quite cleverly shifted a few Royal Malay Regiment officers (with service seniority) over to the TUDM to take over the Air Force reins when the Poms went home.

On top of that the Malaysian government scouted around the World for a Malay with Air Force piloting experience (with the help of the British RAF) and found quite an experienced bloke in Sulaiman Sujak.

Sujak was then a British citizen (from Christmas Island) who graduated as a RAF officer before the TUDM was even formed. When tracked down he was already a Flight Lieutenant (equivalent to Army Captain) flying Hunter aircraft in Cyprus. My Unc said Sujak was a good bloke, and the only TUDM Chief who was not of cap tiga kelapa, wakakaka.

RAF Hunter aircraft

Since Thanabalasingam retired there has been no non-Malay Service Chief, and I reckon there never will be.