Noh Omar pushes for constitutional amendment: 'Prime Minister must be Malay Muslim'
By DIANA AZIS
14 Dec 2025 03:27pm
Tan Sri Rais Yatim (right) with former prime minister Dr Mahathir and Pengerusi Konvensyen Melayu 153 chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar (left) during the event in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 13, 2025. (SINAR PHOTO)
KUALA LUMPUR – The Federal Constitution should be amended to stipulate that the post of prime minister may only be held by a Malay Muslim, said Malay 153 Convention chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar.
He said although the Constitution already provides for the rights of Malays, recognises Islam as the religion of the Federation and guarantees freedom of religion to followers of other faiths, there was one important aspect that he believes has been overlooked.
“In the national Constitution, Malay rights are there, the rights of Islam are there, and the rights of other religions are also there. Everyone is given freedom. But the Constitution does not state that to become prime minister one must be a Malay Muslim. Perhaps it was overlooked,” he said in his address at the Malay 153 Convention.
He also drew a comparison with the Selangor State Constitution, which stipulates that the Menteri Besar must be from among Malays who profess Islam.
Noh Omar called on Malays to reunite and strengthen their political power to enable such a constitutional amendment to be realised.
“If we return with Malay strength, we amend this Constitution and stipulate that the prime minister must be a Malay Muslim,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim stressed that public understanding of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution needs to be strengthened so that the provision is fully and comprehensively understood.
“Article 153 is an intrinsic guarantee rooted in pre-independence agreements and forms an important foundation in the formation of the nation,” he said, while emphasising that protection for Malays and Bumiputera does not negate the legitimate interests of other communities.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Federal Constitution should be amended to stipulate that the post of prime minister may only be held by a Malay Muslim, said Malay 153 Convention chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar.
He said although the Constitution already provides for the rights of Malays, recognises Islam as the religion of the Federation and guarantees freedom of religion to followers of other faiths, there was one important aspect that he believes has been overlooked.
“In the national Constitution, Malay rights are there, the rights of Islam are there, and the rights of other religions are also there. Everyone is given freedom. But the Constitution does not state that to become prime minister one must be a Malay Muslim. Perhaps it was overlooked,” he said in his address at the Malay 153 Convention.
He also drew a comparison with the Selangor State Constitution, which stipulates that the Menteri Besar must be from among Malays who profess Islam.
Noh Omar called on Malays to reunite and strengthen their political power to enable such a constitutional amendment to be realised.
“If we return with Malay strength, we amend this Constitution and stipulate that the prime minister must be a Malay Muslim,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim stressed that public understanding of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution needs to be strengthened so that the provision is fully and comprehensively understood.
“Article 153 is an intrinsic guarantee rooted in pre-independence agreements and forms an important foundation in the formation of the nation,” he said, while emphasising that protection for Malays and Bumiputera does not negate the legitimate interests of other communities.
Many Malays mentality are frozen in time..its still 1956.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is Malaysia has to survive in a vastly different and vastly more challenging economic and technological world in 2026...and the 1956 mentality is going to lead the nation to ruin.