SURABAYA, May 5 — Malays should not be too modest and consider themselves lagging behind others because they had their own strengths and were equal to others.
Vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said with the Malays numbering 300 million throughout the world, they actually had the expertise in various fields which enabled them to compete globally.
He said the Malays had proven their ability in various fields such as Islamic banking, halal hub, herb-based products, innovative skills and the arts.
“It is not that the Malays are not smart. They only need to be given space because they have their strengths to share with the world,” he told reporters after closing the third International Malay Education Seminar (SePMA) her today.
The seminar, organised by UniMAP and carrying the theme “Unity Spearheads Malay Survival”, provided a platform for Malay academics in the region to discuss international standards for Malay education.
However, Kamarudin said, the success of the Malay race in the various fields had not been expanded to the international stage because they were trapped in their own humility and apprehension of competition.
Compared to the Chinese, whose culture and civilizations were ancient, he said, given the same circumstances, the Malays could become a respected race.
At the same time, Kamarudin said, the seminar had achieved its objectives and produced ideas and resolutions for the survival of the Malay race.
He said seven Surabaya resolutions were drawn up at the end of the three-day seminar which began on Saturday.
