OCT 19 The subject of competition is often referred to as "sensitive" in Malaysia. In alternative words, do not speak about it in open as well as ceaselessly in private.
Yes, you have created about this subject before. However, even after 4 years in the country, it still blows my mind. Practically everything here is racialised, from sacrament to politics, preparation to food, marriage to sex, crime to opening the bank account. With good assurance, the normal Malaysian can speak at length about what Malays, Chinese as well as Indians do as well as how they think.
Recently, you accompanied my Social Science category to the National Anti-Discrimination Conference organised by The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) as well as the Human Right's NGO Pusat Komas in KL. This two-day discussion finished it transparent which the emanate of competition is deeply embedded in the essence of the republic as well as this being is not starting to shift any time soon. The discussion was attended by the wide variety of peoples from opposite areas of Malaysian Society NGOs, Political Parties, Activists, etc. Some critical people in assemblage were Ms. Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita, Activist Fahmi Reza, as well as Poet Samad Said. Unfortunately, the little attendees were usually there to contend they were there, which is the respectful approach of observant they were snoozing many of the time.
Overall, the discussion was the positive. However, the little of the panels especially the politicians -- were frustrating to observe. On the splendid side, you was so proud of my students. They were asking good questions as well as demonstrating critical thinking, proving, even at age eighteen, they would have improved leaders than many members of the stream adminis! tration.
First, where does the single begin to speak about competition in the land where the speak about competition never stops? Perhaps it is most appropriate to address the misconception of what "race" is all about. "Races," as they have been discussed as well as understood in Malaysia, have been incorrect. you hope you can all agree which you have been all homo sapiens, members of the single competition or species. If you can all agree upon that, then politicians can stop abusing the amicable construct of 'different races'. Granted, there have been racial differences amongst us, though these have been liquid as well as complex. They have been not direct determinants of culture, religion, food choices, competition choice, sexuality, criminality, etc. A basic scholarship preparation proves all this. Humans today have developed from early hominids which left Africa as well as you all share common genes. Go behind far enough, as well as we're all family.
But not everyone wants to be 'educated'. Many go upon to reap the benefits of this memetic virus of stupidity as well as perpetuate it. Malaysia has not always been racialised. The judgment of race, according to historian Dr. Farish A. Noor, was introduced comparatively recently with colonialism. Despite the fact Malaysia achieved autonomy over half the century ago, many citizens have been still treated with colour as colonial subjects by the powers which be. This is ridiculous. Malaysia, for all of the accomplishments, still has domestic parties formed upon racial lines. The United Malay National Organisation, The Malaysian Chinese Association, The Malaysian Indian Congress. This is laughable.
During my early days in Malaysia, you watched the materialisation of the Prime Minister's 1 Malaysia Campaign: an costly open relations initiative which has confused the lot of people, as well as indoctrinated others to consider wh! ich 'the campaign' is changing how the normal Malaysian views race. It seems the debate is zero some-more than cinema of young kids from opposite racial groups land hands as well as smiling. A part of of the Government's 1Malaysia group spoke at the conference. When pulpy to explain what 1 Malaysia actually does, he struggled to contend anything substantial.
If those in management wish to take this emanate seriously, you have the couple of suggestions. you am not the domestic expert, though you am aware there have been you estimate 600 amendments to Malaysia's constitution, so why not try the couple of more:
1. Get absolved of race-based politics. It is makes the good nation appear backwards. Malaysia is no longer the colonial subject!
2a. Abandon The New Economic Policy. No alternative country, detached from South Africa, has the race-based process stipulating benefits for the Majority. Furthermore, 'Malays' do not have the incident comparable to the Black competition of post-apartheid South Africa. The stream NEP creates nonessential resentment in between opposite racial groups as well as finale it will foster amicable cohesion.
2b. Install the Merit Based Policy to take the place of the NEP. Provide assistance in education, practice as well as housing to any Malaysian who truly needs it. By regulating Need instead of Race, this new process will assistance to de-racialize Malaysia.
3. Abandon 1 Malaysia. Take which money as well as speak up it in to programmes similar to Chow Kit Kita, Food Not Bombs, Stop Motion Project as well as alternative grassroots movement projects. These art, living, women-empowerment, sexuality, as well as sports programs have ! been wha t have Malaysia good as well as will go upon to bring people from opposite racial backgrounds together.
4. Race should not as well as cannot determine who you have been as well as what you think. People of the competition 'Malay' in the context of Malaysia have been legally born 'Muslim' as well as cannot leave Islam. Malays as well as non-Malays in Malaysia grow-up indoctrinated with the thought which to be Malay is to be Muslim. This unnaturally creates the thought which competition DOES determine alternative factors similar to religion, culture, food preferences, language etc. Giving all peoples in the nation freedom of religion would assistance de-racialise Malaysia.
5. Remove "Race" from all forms! Unless ethnicity is relevant to the form being filled out, do divided with it. Aku Bangsa Malaysian!
Malaysians need to contend "Enough!" to the approach things have been done. Those in assign won't do anything until electorate have it transparent which things contingency change. For the final fifty years, Malaysians have been shopping Race Based Politics. It is time for Malaysian consumers to demand the improved as well as some-more judicious product. The stream product is not assembly the peoples' needs. We pour out out as well as buy the ultimate gadget since it can do the single charge somewhat improved than the aged one, nonetheless you keep shopping archaic politics.
It is critical to emphasise which you do not consider this competition obsession has anything to do with the normal citizen. The normal citizen usually wants to consequence an honest living, take care of friends as well as family, as well as feel free from outside threats. Solving the threat of racial tension would be the welcomed change. The complaint surrounding competition in Malaysia is the top-down phenomenon. you believe the incident can be greatly improved if those in power take this emanate seriously.
!Now you await the comments of readers. Many will contend I'm preaching to the choir, though perhaps will offer additional solutions. Others will usually look at my form design as well as discuss it me you have no business, as an outsider, talking about Malaysian issues. Such comments usually prove my point, so you acquire such feedback. you can suppose the improved destiny for all of Malaysia's peoples.
* The views expressed here have been the personal opinion of the columnist.
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