KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 ― A Terengganu Umno delegate today urged Malaysia’s Malay-Muslim majority to stop being the “over polite” race, claiming this trait has led to the country’s other ethnic groups taking advantage of them.

In justifying Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision yesterday to retain the Sedition Act, the delegate, Mohd Iskandar Jaafar, pointed out that the issues surrounding the use of the colonial-era law essentially revolves around the attitudes of both the Muslims and non-Muslims.

“Today, the non-Muslims especially, have taken advantage of the Muslims because their attitude and character is not like ours.

“They (non-Muslims) are disrespectful and are not polite like us (Malays)... they are also not humble to their friends, that’s why they take advantage of the Malays,” the delegate told his party’s 65th annual general assembly during debates this morning.

He also warned the Malays of being overly respectful of others, labelling this an “age-old disease” of the Malay race.

“It is time... enough of us lagging behind others, it is enough that we have become a race known to be too polite… no longer any need for all that,” Mohd Iskandar said to roaring cheers from the delegates.

Mohd Iskandar said that Najib’s timely announcement to retain the colonial-era law therefore was a saving grace for the Malays.

He then claimed that “many” were waiting to unleash their vitriol had the Sedition Act been repealed as repeatedly promised by Putrajaya.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday declared that the Sedition Act 1948 will remain, in an about-turn from his earlier pledge in 2012 to repeal the colonial era law.

He also announced that the Act will be strengthened with two extra provisions: one prohibiting insults against all religions, and the other prohibiting talks of Sabah and Sarawak seceding from Malaysia.

In his policy speech at the start of the 65th Umno General Assembly, he said the decision was made after consultation with party leaders, NGOs and grassroots members.

Najib stressed, however, that enforcement of the law “must be fair”, in the interest of creating “a more peaceful, stable and harmonious country”.