KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — United States President Barack Obama was fair when he said Malaysia’s non-Muslims are marginalised last weekend, MCA chief Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today.

Speaking to reporters after a press conference at Wisma MCA, Liow described as Obama’s statement as “just”.

“His statement is a general statement for any country not to support discrimination, give equal opportunity and to harness talent,” said Liow.

He added that that Obama’s remarks were meant “to help the nation progress”.

In his first official visit to Malaysia during the weekend, Obama reminded Malaysia that it cannot flourish if the country’s religious and ethnic minorities are sidelined.

The president of the United States also said that prejudices against people from different religions and races have no place in the modern world and must be removed.

Malaysia’s Bumiputera majority enjoys privileges under a system of preferential treatment in jobs, housing and access to government funding. 

Among others, these have been blamed for Malaysia’s chronic brain drain that see its non-Malay communities leaving the country, with southern neighbour Singapore the main beneficiary.