Dear Datuk Seri Mohamed Faroz bin Mohamed Jakel by Ranjit Singh Mahli

Dear Datuk Seri Mohamed Faroz bin Mohamed Jakel,

With due respect, and guided by a sincere pursuit of truth, I wish to raise a matter that weighs heavily on my conscience.

Based on my research into the history and heritage of the Malaysian Gujarati community, it appears that both your esteemed parents are of Gujarati Muslim descent. If this is indeed accurate, I humbly ask: on what grounds have you declared your race as "Malay" in your official biodata?

Furthermore, I seek clarification on your company’s claim on its website that Jakel Trading "is now known as the leader of Bumiputera textile business in Malaysia."

If your ethnic classification does not meet the criteria of Bumiputera ("sons of the soil"), I ask respectfully—is this claim appropriate?

According to the late Professor Khoo Kay Kim, by the very definition of the term "bumiputera", which is based on indigeneity and ethnicity, an Indian Muslim can become a Malay constitutionally, but not a bumiputera. He added that the term "bumiputera" was coined in 1963 to refer to the non-Muslim indigenous peoples of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. (Free Malaysia Today, July 21, 2017)

I ask not out of malice or prejudice, but out of a deep commitment to truth and fairness—values instilled in me by both my parents and my faith.

As the Holy Qur’an reminds us:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents or relatives…”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:135)

I believe that transparency strengthens integrity, and that truth—no matter how uncomfortable—must always be upheld.

I look forward to your honest and prompt response.

May we all be guided by sincerity and accountability.