If by now, Umno cannot give Malays sense of security, it should give up power - Pak Samad

National laureate A Samad Said had advised the Malay community not to be obsessed over claims by certain quarters that Malays were under threat.

Samad said despite claims of a growing threat against the community, the country's leadership has remained in the hands of Malays and is still led by a party which claims to represent the Malay community.

The well-respected writer, who is fondly known as Pak Samad, said it was peculiar that allegations of Malays being under threat are constantly played up.

"I hope the Malay community is not too obsessed about claims that Malays are under threat.

"How are Malays under threat? How can religion (Islam) and Malays be threatened when those in power have been Malay for over five decades?

"What have they (Malay leaders) been doing for five decades (if Malays can be under threat)?" he said.

In an apparent reference to Umno, Samad said if the country’s more than five-decade-old Malay leadership cannot put the Malay community at ease, then it should surrender power.

"Let other Malays (rule). They (Umno) have been there for five decades, not one decade," he told Malaysiakini in an interview. -M'kini