Beware of Racial Politics Bounce Back

I find the below article quiet interesthing to read as it touch on Malaysia racial political in a very gentle way. click Here

Monday, May 5, 2008
Beware of Racial Politics Bounce Back

Malaysia seems entering into a new era where Malaysia racial politics has transformed into an open, democratic, non-racial and liberal system. Malay dominated politics faded away, replaced by more rooms for non-Malay to hold higher position in the government, i.e Teng Chang Khim as Speaker of Selangor State Assembly, V. Sivakumar as Speaker of Perak State Assembly, Prof Dr Ramasamy (my former lecturer in UKM) as Deputy CM of Penang. All this may seems that we have abandoned racial politics and moving towards a "meritrocracy" system.

But is it real? Are fellow Malaysian suddenly open up their mind and rejected racial politics overnight? Is "NEP" abruptly turn into a curse that haunted UMNO and making the Malays looked vulnerable and uncompetitive, leading to heavy criticms by Malay (Ironically NEP is meant to help the bumi, or malay). Has Malaysian DNA change overnight? Are we truly becoming a nation that does not judge by skin colour or religion? Well, that is what most Malaysian would like to see...but be aware, it may not be the way you think it is!

Take a closer look at the March 8 GE result and you will find that majority of Malays were still supporting UMNO and in fact UMNO still gained 79 seats in parliament, eventhough they can't form federal government by themselve now. If anyone think that the March 8 GE had end malay domination in this country would find themselve living in fantasy. However, it does change the mentality of malays, for a short period and now malays from both camp (BN and PR) are looking to the Malay Ruler or Royal to solve their problem.

Waves of malay gathering, started from KOMTAR, Penang to protest over Lim Guan Eng's remark to end NEP, to the latest conference to discuss about malay right had started to gain momentum of restoring malay superiority in this country. Active royal present in Malaysia politics is also a sign of movement to reunite the malay under one umbrella. The Malay Rulers have become the last resort for malays to seek guidance and protection over "malay right", and with this scenario, one would expect a more vocal and active royal present in Malaysia politics in near future.

Current Malaysia political scenerio is worrying the malay. "Ketuanan Melayu" is being critized, or should i say condemn? Perak Sultan's power is being questioned by Karpal Singh, Penang Court allowing a Muslim to renounce from Islam, possible of free land given to Chinese independence school in Selangor and many more events that show a dramatic change of politic scenario in Malaysia but would the malay give up so easily?

The answer is prevailing. Someone may argue that we cannot compare the situation back to the time before independence, but the structure has not change much. If the malay felt their position in this country threaten, then it just need a spark to light up the racial fire. I am not trying to pour oil on the fire but wish to remind those who thought they have "won" the GE to be aware that the "Racial DNA" in this country is very much the same and it takes time to change. Of course we can move forward for a better Malaysia that rejects racial politics and do not govern based on skin colour, but as a friendly reminder, don't push too harsh. Leave some rooms for change to take place.


Picture from lat

Let us work together, regardless of race and religion, to build a strong, harmonious and peaceful Malaysia. I believe most Malaysian would like to end racial politics in this country. We should work this out together but it should be a considerate and sensitive process that take into accounts the different races, religions and cultures in this country. It should be an authentic integration among the people, with no intention of threatening anyone's interest. The GE result may set a path for us to move forward, but do not destroy this path by pushing ahead without looking at the feeling of the malay. If this country would to be a great nation and says no to racial politics, it would be the malay who could make it happen. Without the support from the malay, as the British were aware during colonial time, it would be meaningless to govern this country. So, lets engage every Malaysian to truly understand that it needs everyone of us to build a better Malaysia.