Right notes
Read this.
I verily agree with what Mr. Najib has said here. To me, this is what an UMNO leader should be saying, not spouting racist remarks left, right and centre.
I am a Malay, and I am all for trying to improve the social, economic and mindset of my race. Yet, at the same time, I am also a Malaysian, and I will not hesitate to criticise those who use the ‘race card’ in order to further their political ambitions at the expense of national unity. To me, there is a fine line between trying to better one’s race and
just being plain racist. Urging the Malays to improve themselves is
very, very different from making another race the scapegoat for our problems.
Too many leaders, I think, do not know the true meaning of ‘perjuangan bangsa‘. It is not blaming others for our problems, it is not ‘championing’ our ’special rights’ and it definitely has nothing to do with any traditional weapons in any shape or form. ‘Perjuangan bangsa‘ should be an internal revolution withing the race itself (in this instance, the Malay race) in order to reach a truly first world mentality, causing a change in our social and economic well being. Like what Mr. Najib said, come 2020, "We do not want the Malays to lag behind and continue to rely on handouts." And in order to prevent this, he said that the "…acquisition of a first class mentality should be the main priority."
Of course, ALL Malaysians should strive to better themselves. But the fact of the matter is, a message would hit closer to home if it is targeted to a smaller group of people. If, for example, a teacher tells a whole classroom that they’re slacking, some of the students might not pay attention as he may think that he isn’t one who is. But, if that student is personally told by the teacher that he is indeed slacking, he may look at himself and see if what the teacher said is true.
Therefore, I applaud what our Deputy Prime Minister has said. I have to admit, I do not think too highly of him in the past, but I personally think that Mr. Najib nowadays has really hit the right notes as to what an UMNO leader and politician should be saying. A few more statements from him here (where he talks about ’seving with sincerity and helping not just those of a particular race) and here (where he talks about learning from the past). The last article is particularly interesting as Mr. Najib referred to the fact that he won the 1999 General Elections with a mere 241 majority difference. I personally think the fact that he even acknowledged this, when most people have forgotten about it, shows a lot about the man as he currently is.
His ‘juniors’ in the party could learn a few things or two from him.
September 10th, 2006 at 2:38 am
i’m not a chinese nor an indian nor a malay. i am malaysian
September 10th, 2006 at 7:02 am
Hahaha I knew such a response would be forthcoming
Let me clarify what I’m trying to say.
Firstly, in the context of Mr. Najib’s statement. Whether we like it or not, he is a member of a racially based political party. In this context, he is speaking in his role as an UMNO member, not as the Deputy Prime Minister. UMNO, as a political party, has in its agenda to further issues that concern Malays, like its contemporaries MCA and MIC. As such, it is understandable that he is voicing issues that concern the Malays. And to me, the issues that he raises are valid ones that are relevant to the Malays, unlike some of his peers in the party.
Secondly, in my opinion, being Malay/Indian/Chinese/Iban/Kadazan whatever does not and should not conflict with the fact that one is Malaysian. Ethnicity and nationality are two distinct elements that can exist in tandem with each other.
‘Unity through diversity’ is a principle that I wholly subscribe to. The fact that Malaysia is multi-cultural is one of the reasons why I love it so much.
The problem of course is when we issues of race are used at the expense of national unity. Not only is this offensive and harmful, it also does not solve anything while ignoring the more pertinent issues at hand.
I have no problems with a Malay/Chinese/Indian/Kadazan/Iban person talking about issues relating to his particular race. What I do have a problem with is when a person talks about issues that are simply racist.
Telling the Malays that they should improve themselves is not racist to me. However, saying that other races would take advantage if the Malays were weak, to me is racist.
Similarly, questioning the ‘bumiputera’ status is not racist. Blaming your life problems on the Malays, on the other hand, is.
Anyways, I applaud and respect the fact that you are able to see yourself as a Malaysian, and only as a Malaysian. Not many of us are able to do that.