While we should ideally move away from racial politics, we should not; as I again emphasize, be too fast to jump into a conclusion that racial politics is history. In the recent elections, when the Chinese voted for PAS, was it a vote of belief in PAS where they really supported PAS? Or was it a protest vote against MCA and BN? In the same way when the Malays voted for DAP, was it a commitment towards DAP or was it a vote to show their unhappiness towards UMNO and BN? I'm still very guarded into drawing any firm conclusions as yet.
Of course, the outburst by the Kelantan royalty is much regretted. While all non-Malays are against him, sincerely I believe most Malays are for it. Racial politics will always raise its ugly head when it is convenient to the interested party. Can Anwar really withstand the Malay backlash if his party has no Malay agenda?
All Chinese are for a Malaysian agenda. I fully agree that MCA should not be talking about everything Chinese, from Chinese schools, Chinese temples to Chinese villages and Mandarin speaking. That is Ong Ka Ting's brand of politics within the party.
While we are a Chinese based party, we should adapt a more multiracial outlook. Besides championing our needs, Malaysian problems are also MCA problems. MCAs top leadership has been very quiet with regards to the Hindraf issue, Lingam tape and other high profile contemporary issues. MCA in having a multiracial approach is going to make a lot more sense now, especially since in an apparent paradigm shift in malaysian politics, it probably needs more multiracial support to ensure victory in subsequent elections.
Of course, the outburst by the Kelantan royalty is much regretted. While all non-Malays are against him, sincerely I believe most Malays are for it. Racial politics will always raise its ugly head when it is convenient to the interested party. Can Anwar really withstand the Malay backlash if his party has no Malay agenda?
All Chinese are for a Malaysian agenda. I fully agree that MCA should not be talking about everything Chinese, from Chinese schools, Chinese temples to Chinese villages and Mandarin speaking. That is Ong Ka Ting's brand of politics within the party.
While we are a Chinese based party, we should adapt a more multiracial outlook. Besides championing our needs, Malaysian problems are also MCA problems. MCAs top leadership has been very quiet with regards to the Hindraf issue, Lingam tape and other high profile contemporary issues. MCA in having a multiracial approach is going to make a lot more sense now, especially since in an apparent paradigm shift in malaysian politics, it probably needs more multiracial support to ensure victory in subsequent elections.
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关于马华的存在意义、关于种族政治，我在这里读到很多不同的看法。
理论上，我国的政治体系应淡化种族色彩，朝向更民主和平等。不过，我还是认为不该太早下定论，说种族政治已被瓦解、或说种族政治已在大马消失、已成为历史，这一切似乎还言之过早。
理论上，我国的政治体系应淡化种族色彩，朝向更民主和平等。不过，我还是认为不该太早下定论，说种族政治已被瓦解、或说种族政治已在大马消失、已成为历史，这一切似乎还言之过早。
大家扪心自问，在刚过的全国大选，华裔选民是因为相信和支持回教党，而把票投给他们吗？还是为了向马华和国阵抗议？同样的，当马来选民投选民主行动党，他们真的认同这个党吗？还是只为了宣泄对巫统和国阵不满？
当然，吉兰丹王储措词强烈对非马来人发飙，此举令人觉得遗憾。所有非马来人肯定会对丹州王储的言论不悦，惟我相信马来同胞却深深认同。换个方式说吧，凡事一体两面，好坏并存，种族政治也亦然。当只有一个或特定的群体得享利益时，种族政治就被视为丑陋的。话说回头，如果安华的党完全不谈马来议程，他能承受马来党员起哄吗？他在党内还站得住脚吗？
我绝对同意马华不应该只谈论华社课题，我们的斗争不该只围绕华小、神庙、华人新村以及华语。那是黄家定在党内的政治品牌。马华虽是个华基政党，但在履行人民委托时应该关注各族的同等权益。照顾华社和全体马来西亚人民的需求，马华责无旁贷。而对兴都权益运动HINDRAF、林甘司法短片及其他涉嫌政府高官的舞弊案，马华应该表明看法和立场，不能再像过去一样保持沉默，静悄不语。
26 comments:
Dear Dr. Chua,
Yes, i agreed with you that we shouldn't too fast jump into conclusion that racial politics is history. However, if multiracial concept works on DAP, PKR, why not in BN? Moreover, BN has more advantages than DAP, PKR. I think BN can even do better than DAP, PKR. On the other hand, the current DAP, PKR not really well practice the multiracial concept, as the current leadership is either have more chinese or malay, although they keep saying that they are multiracial party.
Therefore, if BN really wants to practice this concept, there still more to improve.
At least you believe that MCA has to do more for every Malaysian.
If only MCA can voice more critically on issues affecting the rakyat like Hindraf,Lingam case, etc.MCA must show that they have the guts to speak out when somethings are wrong and not to keep quiet or discuss behind close doors in the BN. Only then MCA can be relevant again or else worst will become of MCA on election results.
It is most disturbing while most Malaysians are calling themselves first as Malaysians, there are still those in UMNO and PAS who prefer to call themselves first as Malays. The Perkatan Rakyat politicians must use their power judiciously. They must show the UMNO politicians that power is to be used as a tool for the better of the rakyat and not for accumulating personal wealth!
It is discomforting to note that Nik Aziz and Abdul Hadi Awang are alleged to be opened to discussion with UMNO on this issue. Anwar Ibrahim seems to be pretty confident of being able to contain the excesses of the people from DAP and PAS, he should now come out and confront this affront committed against the Malaysian Race!
It is detrimental for the Malaysian nation, that UMNO, the UMNO-controlled newspapers and the UMNO-affiliated NGOs are working in concert to create fears in the Malays. They are exploiting this to perpetuate their own power base. MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP, what are they doing. Aren't they aware of this going on? What are they waiting for? Or do they want to continue to push for communal politics - can't they see the irrelevance of this, anymore? Don't they want to be equal partners in the PR, why do they still want to play 'second fiddles' to a racist party!
MCA, MIC, why are they not using the papers in their stable and those NGOs affiliated to them to resist this unhealthy trend? There is not even a squeak from any of them. Don't they want equality for all the races?
Even a vice president of UMNO (Muhyiddin Yassin) is alleged to come out to urge the Malays to reunited for Malay supremacy. What are the other BN component parties doing? Don't they care for Malaysian Supremacy? They should come out and be counted! Tell, yes, they should tell the rakyat, supremacy of Malaysians is of utmost importance and they are prepared to stand together to make it a reality!
dr.... good to know tat u blog.... MCA done nothing for the chinese, they done nothing, look at ong ka ting, ong ka chuan, they r not standing for the chinese... chinese votes will continue to go to for the pakatan rakyat as long as we do not see change in MCA itself. will support u though! cheers!
i agree with Dr. Ting chew pei. Leave umno.
Why live on constant fears. Set yourself free and look for a partner with common goal and objective.
UMNO is working against you and your principal. soon, you will be irrelevant, completely!
Humans are like the frogs in the water being heated. It's just starting to get warm. Will you be able to jump out when the temperature rise to a boil?
There's no denying that many still subscribe to racial politics. It isn't healthy for Malaysia. Tell it to your friends. Tell it to UMNO. Tell it to MIC.
How can you promote a multiracial outlook when you're in a party for defending Chinese rights(eventhough you rejected Chinese maids)? How can you promote fidelity when your pants is down?
If you're a true leader, then lead! Chang Ko Youn has spoken. Still waiting for more action from Gerakan tainted by Lim Keng Yaik. How about you?
Dr Chua,
You are half right. Good to note that racial politics is different from racist politics. Umno practices racist politics, that directly makes MCA look racist as well because you are in the same boat. Interests that are race specific is a concern that cannot be done away. PAS allowed temples to be built in Kelantan and the support of pig farm is one example how they gained trusts from the chinese. That is good racial politics. BN destroying Indian temples, restriction on building chinese temples are examples how they want people like us to move direction from BN to PAS. That is bad racist politics. But frankly, I do not want too many pig farms for hygiene purposes even though I'm chinese. With the openness of PAS, maybe they will allow more chinese vernacular schools to be built. There were concerns on the hudud laws, but then PAS said it only affects the muslims. Plus the racist remarks by BN, the votes were sure to swing.
People even has doubts with PKR whether they will fulfill the malaysian agendas rather than malay agendas. Anwar Ibrahim said the malay priviledges will be maintained (I think he meant things like discounts and education quotas) but will do away with NEP. I never go and read the thick NEP but I think it has got to with business policy such as public company shares, governement project tender quotas, more or less. This (with cronism around) I think affects a lot of chinese entrepreneur and investors. As for the malays, because majority of them are ordinary folks that don't depend on government projects tenders and public listed shares (only the connected gets them anyway, they called them the Umnoputras), plus the Tol and Petrol rise made standard of living really high even for the ordinary chinese. When Anwar said he can make use of Petronas profits to subsidise the fuel if we voted them into power, people believed him. You know why, the BN government can spend billions here and billions there but will not spend it to reduce the citizen's cost of living, but instead making statements we have the lowest fuel price in the region, though it's a fact, that did not take away the burdens. Plus the high profile corruption cases, votes is sure to swing.
Furthermore Raja Petra has championed that "malays" not equals to "UMNO malays". I think more malays realised the NEP is a gimmick. So, the swing of malays votes from UMNO to PKR and DAP is obvious too.
I think chinese voting PKR / PAS and malays voting DAP were something done out of no other choice because some constituency does not have DAP or PKR or PAS, so we just vote any opposition. You can say it's a boycott, but if BN still do not change, it will not be a boycott anymore, the swing will be permanent.
Malaysians do not tolerate racist politics.
Dear Dr,
I may be stepping on a lot of toes when I say this, but perhaps this keistimewaan Melayu (NOT ketuanan Melayu) thing is not totally irrelevant. The keris-wielding by Hishamuddin back then was a stupid mistake, and one that bit the UMNO in the backside, but that doesn't mean that the Malays should have their special rights taken away.
The special rights thing was put in the Constitution with agreement by our forefathers. And it never was a problem, until now. And this is only because there are certain parties who are abusing and using this 'hak keistimewaan Melayu' for their own good.
I believe that there is a relevance in racial politics. But I also believe that it should be moderated slightly. What good is a party if it only speaks for its own kind? And what kind of govt promotes the fact that we need our own kind in order to be represented and heard?
Great stuff you have here, Dr, just need some good action to complement it.
Cheers,
Michelle
to be more multiracial, can MCA look into issue like rising living cost, rice price just naik eventhough government claimed enuf stock.
although there are ministers for these, but can MCA also study the matter and other issues like better subsidy (eg petrol) distribution system, better social security, better policy to make the country competitive, etc. or at least help gather rakyat feedbacks and bring to the governement.
also help bring awareness on energy saving, global warning, caring sociaty, etc to ppl.
種族政治的瓦解的確是一項非常難以完成的任務， 不然馬華早已大功告成，民主行動黨也早已消失。
長期的容忍與妥協，換來的是失望和壓迫，誰愿意這樣挨下去？ 馬華也說明他們已經盡了所有的力量去耕耘了，唉！ 還能怎樣？
只是富裕安定的人要求國泰民安，保持原狀如 Dr. Chua；大多數的小市民，生活被壓迫，都處於水深火熱之中如我；對那些貧苦無助的人來說，他們只是爛命一條，怕什么！
只要民盟做的比國陣好一些，基本上已算略勝一籌。所以大家寧可挺而走險，好過坐著等死，搏一搏吧！
不是所有的人都偏愛財富，公正和正義的存在才是真理。
The only reason I can think of why MCA is still blindly going this way is because it can't survive without UMNO.
MR Chua;
-->惟我相信马来同胞却深深认同。
You sounded like you know all malay and know their thinking. Are you sure? You don't even understand your own friend that you claimed they did stabbed your back but he said he did not! However, either way, show one conclusion that YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW CHINESE that you work for 20 years!
Make a research, come out with fact and data rather than seat there talk big. The biggest survey is the election. Still wanna argue? Fine, said you are right that, the result of election may not conclude racial politics is over (yet), but certainly, selfish and corrupted type are surely NOT welcome.
Dear Dr. Chua,
Congratulation for the increasing popularity of your blog, you might just create a storm with it.
In view of the turmoil in MCA and the country, as a member of MCA, i would like to offer myself as a candidate for the party president position in the upcoming poll. I hope the honorable Dr. Chua can guide, advise and support me in this quest.
My plan is:
1. Offer myself as a candidate for the party president position of MCA.
2. If i win the party president contest, i will immediately offer myself as a candidate for the prime minister position of Malaysia. This is to teach our young leader to have ambition not just for the cabinet minister position but have the ambition to actually running the country as its head.
3. I will also immediately open up the membership of MCA to non-Chinese, especially the Natives.
4. I will enter talk with Gerakan to merge the two party.
5. I will enter talk with DAP to merge and unite our force.
6. I will reach out to Sabah, Sarawak party to enter talk for merger as well.
7. I will contest all available state and parlimentary seats in the next general election.
8. I will negotiate with Keadilan, PAS and UMNO and chhose one partner among them to form the next government.
9. I will revitalize the economics.
10. I will re-enginnering our educational system.
I sincerely hope that Dr. Chua can support me. This a long term plan, the goal is to have a Chinese Malaysian to be the prime minister of Malaysia. If i fail in this regard, at least, i will hold the king maker card to decide who will be the next prime minister. I will settle for not less than for a Chinese Malaysian to be the second deputy prime minister.
Thanks and hope for million success in your quest for MCA party president.
Jason Wong
glokaltower@yahoo.com
Why dont move away from racial politics? Dont move away and what? Stay as we have always been? GOD!!! what is that!? The world is moving away from such things, infact, the world has moved miles away from such thing and we, here, should stay on being categorized as CHINESE, INDIANS, MALAY, ETC?? HUH?????? You kidding me?
Uncle, the recent election where Chinese voted for PAS or Malays voted for DAP or Indians voted for anyone but BN is not solely about a vote of believe or protest. It was a vote of a new beginning!!
Yars, perhaps in some ways it was first and foremost a vote of rebel to tell BN that they cock up big time but the fact remains that people are willing to forgo whatever little comfort that BN has to offer and quell their fears of other religions' philosophy. People everywhere were willing to place their next 5 years in the hands of the unknown irrespectively how terrible these unknown were which by the way, were all spinned up by our ever famous print media.. telling horror stories of how cruel and fanatic PAS can be or how DAP is ever so willing to deprieve the malays of their way of lives. Now that this has been done, people are slowly realising that these so called terror religion are not so horrible and inhumane afterall. People are also beginning to see that it is not necessary true that their challenges can only be taken care of or resolved by their own ethnic kind. LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN PERAK??!! Didnt the PAS CM did what no other race based parties could or want to do?! Never mind if it has not actually happened yet but the fact of the matter is, PAS CM was willing to put a confirmation that it will be done for all!
Uncle! not all malays agree with what that ugly looking Kelantan royalty has said. Not all malays are happy to be treated like LORDs.. It is the same as not all Chinese are hardworking and smart. There are stupid and lazy Chinese too!
As for the remaining imbeciles who believes in perserving their melayu-ness and perhaps themselves in all their fatso glory, what can I say about such people except that they are in a sorry state of affairs. They can continue to be in that sorry state and nature will have its way of getting rid of them.
Last! Uncle, how do you think a race politic can adapt a more multiracial outlook? The fact that the RACE is defined, it would categorize the purpose of the party, wouldnt it? It would also create conflict of interest in some situation right? I seriously doubt this can be achieved.
Race based political parties can only survive in third world counties,just look at USA,do you need a chinese party to fight for the well being of the chinese over there ? What we need urgently in our country is a government which is competent,corruption free and with integrity irregardless of whether it is race based or multiracial.
When everybody is having a good life,good income and peace of mind,who cares whether we are being treated fairly.It's only when opportunity is scarce and lives are horrible as a result of poor management of the country due to incompetence of the ruling party that people are fighting for special treatment.ie NEP
Good topic for Malaysian awareness.
BRAVE NEW WORLD
By AZMI SHAROM, STAR
Since the recent general election, voices have risen up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now ‘under threat’. But perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony.
AND so it begins. Race-based rhetoric has raised its ugly little head in response to a democratic process. Over 49% of the people of Malaysia have voted for parties that have rejected race-based affirmative action in favour of a needs-based platform.
It did not take very long for voices, both common and royal, to rise up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now “under threat”.
“Under threat” from what, may I ask? Let’s take a bit of time to look at this so-called “threat”. Firstly, Malays are given special protection under Article 153 of the Constitution.
Article 153 is titled “Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, etc, for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak”. Article 152 states that Malay is the National Language. The Supreme Head of the Federation, according to Article 32, is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Malay ruler.
This is the foundation of Malay “special privileges”. None of the Pakatan Rakyat component parties, including the DAP, have said anything about removing Articles 153, 152 and 32. They remain safe and secure with no sign whatsoever of any sort of threat.
Besides, in order to change it, you would need a two-thirds majority in the lower and upper houses of Parliament plus the support of the Conference of Rulers. The last time I checked, no one has a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Secondly, due to simple demographics, it is unlikely that a totally non-Malay party is ever going to win absolute control of the government. Of the five state governments in the hands of the Pakatan, four are led by a Malay Mentri Besar.
Penang is an exception, but Penang has been led by non-Malays since the 60s. Why was there was no outcry before this?
Thirdly, the proposed doing-away with the NEP (or whatever it is called nowadays), I suppose, can be seen as a threat to the Malays. But how it can be a threat is beyond me, because the replacement suggested by the Pakatan is not some sort of laissez-faire capitalist economy. Instead, it is an economic system with affirmative action promised to those in need.
If the Malays are the largest group of people in Malaysia who are in the most need, then they will get the most help. If they are not in the most need, then why on earth do they need help then?
This is the point where I will get angry letters about how the NEP is needed; because in the business world – the real world which I know nothing about because I am just a lowly-academic trapped in my ivory tower – Malays are discriminated against by the Chinese. So we need a policy like the NEP to provide some balance.
I disagree.If there are racist business policies being conducted against the Malays, then you face it head on with anti-discrimination laws.If some person feels he is being discriminated against, no matter what his race, then let there be a law to help him, and let us punish the racists with a hefty fine or jail term.
You do not meet racism with racism; you challenge it by destroying all traces of it.
The problem with the NEP, as I see it, is that it breeds a mentality of entitlement based on race and not merit. This mentality seeps into governance, and it creates an atmosphere of mediocrity. One example of this is how the Constitution has been disregarded in relation to employment issues.
The Federal Constitution states that you can set quotas at the entry points of government services, for example, the civil service and public universities. However, this is counter-balanced by Article 136 that says all federal employees must be treated fairly regardless of race.
This means that once inside a service, everyone is to be treated equally based on merit. In such a situation, only the cream will rise to the top.However, since the introduction of the NEP, the practice in government services has been to promote Malays mainly. This has in turn led to a drop in the number of non-Malay actors in the service of the public.
Taking my profession for example, the closeted unrealistic world of academia, I look down south and I see that 30% of the staff in the National University of Singapore Law School are Malaysians.
How come these clever fellows who are good enough to teach in a university that is among the top 20 in the world are not here in the land of their birth? Why are the blinking Singaporeans enjoying our talent? Is it because that talent is all non-Malay and they feel they have better opportunities there than here?
This is a complete waste, and in the end this loss of talent means a loss for the university, the country and the people of this country, including the Malay students who miss out on the best possible teachers.
Perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony, in which case my answer to that is this: clean up your act, live up to your promises and listen to what the people are saying.Make yourself electable by proving that you can create good government.
That is called democracy.
Dr Azmi Sharom is a law teacher. The views expressed here are entirely his own.
The Doc has touched on a very interesting topic.When a non chinese vote for a MCA candidate and if he champions only for his race does it make sense.To entertain racial politics with a multiracial outlook one requires a better understanding of the other races.If one do not understand the fundamentals needs and cultures of other races.How then can they have a multiracial outlook.There is a feeling the rakyat are ready but the politicians are not.I appreciate your opinion on this doc.This is a sure vote winner if it can be cut across diligently
Dr Chua
The Pakatan Rakyat at this moment has the support of 70-75% of the non Malay votes in the last election but only 42% of the Malay votes. Their whole power base is resting on non Malay support, so it is not surprising that they are singing the tune which non Malays wants to hear.The question is would they continue to sing the same tune if one day 58% of the Malays support them but only 30-35% of the non Malays vote for them like the current situation with the BN
Dear Friends
If you missed the response of a blog of pig firm issue, someone keep a copy and available in
http://www.malaysiakini.com/pages/blog/ali_rustam_blog/comment.g.htm
I wish to say thanks and I do have strong touching feeling because our many malay muslim been very supportive in this issue.
Thanks.
Dr. Chua
I regret that even you are still talking about race-based politics. As a 4th generation Malaysian of Indian origin, I have no interest in joining a party comprised of only Malaysian Indians. I want to join a political party that fights for ALL Malaysians, not based on their race.
I think that you need to be more in tune with the mindset of young Malaysians. More than 60% of Malaysians are aged below 30 - it's our future that you old guys are messing up with your fear of going beyond the traditional race-based parties.
And you know what? The more you say that something is impossible, the more you are putting it out of reach...!!
1) Race base party is still relevant after 2008 election.
2) Race base party will continue be relevant, because majority don't see the benefits of it.
3) When we move out from race base party and go for two politic party system that both multiracial, as only with two politic party system that are not racist, votes are base on performance, not on race, Malaysia can claims to achieve first class democracy. First class democracty meaning both politic party will derive/discuss/debate global/local issues to get votes. And base on this level of competition, it is a win win situation for everyone, Malay or non-Malay. We must be clear that Malay will get the best benefit too, if the politic party don't discuss racial issues, but global/local issues and the level of competition will discourage corruption and other nation problems.
So, I hear Dr. Chua said that ideally, non-race base politic should be implemented. And I did agree with him, race base is still relevant.
The questions is
1) Is the current MCA leaders have short term and long term plan to move to non-race base politic, where we can claim first class
democracty?
2) If they cannot, is Dr Chua has this intention and short term and long term plan to achieve this, and run for the MCA leaders selection?
3) If this is not possible, can someone like glokal that thinking along the line, run in the MCA leaders selection and win it?
If all the answer from the above is NO, how about we start an internet revolution to move us to achieve first class democracty, where Dr. Chua agree to categorise this as 'ideally'? Don't laugh on the power of internet, just ask BN what the internet can do on the 13 days campaign. If we have 5 years to do so, I am sure the Election 2013 result are more than 'tsunami' and 'earthquake'.
The assumption is only 1 people in Malaysia agree that non-race base politic is the ONLY way to make Malaysia have a first class democracy, where we can debate issues between two politic party, not just touching the racial line as what we do now.
5 years = 60 months
First month,
1 + 1 = 2
(1 person, manage to convert 1 person to believe in non-race base politic via internet or just converting one of their family member in 1 month.
Second month,
2 + 2 = 4
(Same, every one just convert 1 in one month)
Third month
4 + 4 = 8
(Same, every one just convert 1 in one month)
Sixty month later, the figure will be
5.76461E+17 + 5.76461E+17 = 1.15292E+18
That is 1152920000 billion people. And it is rougly 1 billion time of population of China. And we only have around 10 million eligible voters in 2004.
So, you see racial poltic might still be relevant in 2008, but if everyone of us play our role and try to convert 1 in every month, is racial politic still relvant in 2013, PRU 13?
Only with a BN whitewash in PRU 13, they will realise that what happen in PRU 12 is not just protest vote, but Malaysians have achieve the maturity to demand more from the politician.
Malaysian wants politicians that can derive/discuss/debate global/international issues, not play the politic cards and just service one particular ethnic and demand for votes. And even that, they are not doing too well.
Bear in mind most problem now is due to the politic system not the leaders. We have often heard that no point of changing leaders, whoever on the top will be the same. Too true, this is indeed the case. We had put in a decent and fair guy in Badawi four years ago in this politic system, and does the leader change the politic system or the politic system change the leader in the 4 years?
If they are some good BN leaders come in and want to change the BN image, and not the BN political system as a whole, to me, it only delay the achievement of first class democracty. You just needs a few years later to confirm that it don't work, the leader is not the problem but the politic system is, which is the race base system, and we back to square one.
Name me one developed nation that practice race base political system?
Dr. Chua can you please reply on the article by Malaysian Specialist Abroad as appear in the Malaysia Today blog.
Thanks
Dr Chua
It is likely that a black man will become the president of the America this year. This would be a remarkable achievement if you consider that at the same time as when most of the forefathers of the non Malays were imigrating to Malaya, the forefathers of black Americans were being brought to America in chains as slaves. In the sixties racial segregation existed in the American south.Yet fourty years later a black American is in the lead to be the president of the United States of America. So is it surprising that the majority of non Malays Malaysians especially the young cannot accept to be second class cityzens in their own country?, with no chance of being the political leader( or deputy leader) of the country or their state except for Penang and maybe Sabah. The forefathers of non Malays did not come to Malaya as slaves but even fifty years after indepemdence we are still being remindered that we are not really entitled to be Malaysian cityzens in the first place unless we accept that our lot in life is be second class. How do you expect a second, third or fourth generation non malay Malaysian to accept this? Their immigrant parents may have put up with this as they were not born here. The younger generation cannot understand why this must be so in this day and age. These are the people who we are expecting to be patriotic and work towards developing our country yet we tell them that they should be grateful that they are allowed to be here in the first place.
Before the seventies, when black Americans were still treated as second class cityzens they had strong black leaders like Martin Luther King to fight for their rights. Race based politics was neccessary to ensure that black Americans obtain equal rights but today it seems that that race based politics is no longer required in America.
In Malaysia, as long as non Malays are not able to achieve political and social equality we need champions who are not afraid to sacrificed themselves to fight for equal rights for their community . The question is whether the present non Malay leaders we have are like Martin Luther King who paid the ultimate sacrifice or are they more like Malaysian Japanese collabrators during world war II who sold out their country and race for personal financial and political gain.
The Great Divide !
The frustration of a parent and the anguish suffers by a child may seems to be very common and an everyday occurrence. But the cause of this frustration and anguish is the factor that creates division and polarisation of the races in Malaysia. What is this cause that is so explosive and destructive? It is the deprivation of the world-recognised basic right of every child - his right to be given an education that befits her capabilities!
A child , from small, was told to study hard so that she could contribute constructively to society, and she took the message to heart. She studied hard and when the SPM results were announced, she was overjoyed as she had scored the maximum 12 As. She looked forward to be accepted into the matriculation class. She was in for a rude shock, she was rejected! Her anguish would not have been so deep and her hurt would not have been so devastating if the selection had been done in a more even-handed manner. Her excellent results could not get her accepted but her friends who had only managed 3 to 5 As were given places. This is Malaysia's education as implemented by the 'little Napoleons'.
This scene is being played out in many non-Malay families throughout Malaysia, year-in an year-out. The parents who had always believed in the government and the system, have always taught their children to be law-abiding. When such thing happened to their families and they were asked by the children why such thing should befall them, they had no plausible explanations.
These families, left to their own devices, have no much of a choice but to seek their own means to provide for the completion of their children's education. If, some of these children manage to go oversea to complete their studies, it comes as no surprise if they decide not to come back once they finish their studies. Who could have blame them.
In some of the families, the parents have to make great sacrifices so that their children can graduate from private institutions. Those who are not so fortunate financially may have to force their children to give up their dreams of obtaining a tertiary education.
Any wonder why the races are so divided and polarised in our nation? To this, you add the insensitive words and actions of UMNO politicians, the inequality in job opportunities in the government sector, the inequality in business opportunities, the loud insistent battle cry of the Malay supremacy, the unwarranted questioning of the loyalty of the non-Malays, the not so subtle attempts to sideline the religious beliefs and practices of the other races, you create the 'Great Divide'!
If Samy Vellu and other politicians attribute the election debacle to just the demolition of the temple, then it is a clear case of the political leaders being out of touch with the political realities!
May more responsible and compassionate leaders be divinely-guided to come forward now to help close the 'Great Divide'.
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