Wikipedia:Today's featured article/January 18, 2006



Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia grants the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King, of Malaysia responsibility for safeguarding the rights and privileges of the Malay and other indigenous peoples of Malaysia, collectively referred to as Bumiputra. The article specifies how the federal government may protect these groups' interests by establishing quotas for entry into the civil service, public scholarships and public education. The article also permits the government to set a specific quota of licences for particular trades aside for the Bumiputra. It is often considered to be part of the social contract. Article 153 is one of the most controversial articles in the Malaysian constitution. It is considered by some to create an unnecessary and racialist distinction between Malaysians of different races because its affirmative action policies benefit the Bumiputra, who comprise a majority segment of the population. Many Bumiputra groups, especially the governing United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) political party often publicly berate those who protest it. Technically, discussion of abolishing Article 153 is illegal, although it was drafted as a temporary provision to the Constitution. (more...)

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