Betraying Malays
By WAN MOHD AIMRAN
I believe the real cause for affirmative action has been betrayed.
Coupled with the inherent apathy among Malays, the dominant ethnic group, policies have not managed to produce the targeted results even after being put in place for nearly 20 years.
The aim to create a class of independent, resourceful and towering Malays have only whet their appetite for more subsidies, loans and govermental assistance. True to its name, Melayu have indeed become Me-LAYU.
We must wake up to the harsh realities of the state of our country; we must be willing to examine our successes and our failings; we must seek ways to root out the endemic problems that have been gradually entrenched into the notion of a prosperous and harmonious nation initially propounded by our founding fathers.
The awareness must come swiftly and actions taken immediately before it incurs inflicts irreparable damage on the well-being of our country and its people. However, I believe a sustained and concerted change cannot occur without the realisation of two things.
First, the creation of a level-playing field in terms of economic, education and social issues which allows a person to advance purely based on his or her merit rather than connections.
Second, an unwavering commitment towards transparency, integrity and accountability in every level of society. After all, if one is working solely for the betterment of one’s country and the people one serves, why should there be anything to hide?
In Malaysia, those who discuss these issues will eventually find themselves bumping into a wall - a series of policies put in place to safeguard and secure the political, economic and social position and well-being of the Bumiputras.
But is the wall really that insurmountable? Does it really impede the efforts to reinvent Malaysian society for the betterment of the country?
Malays must be willing to reflect on their qualities and failings besides being prepared to come out of their comfort zone. In short, they must be willing to change themselves. Some Malays might balk at such suggestions, but they need to realise that it is their future which is at stake.
And more importantly, the future of Malaysia.
If the Malays were willing to give the Chinese and Indians citizenship during the pre-Independence era, then the Malays must now be willing to initiate a radical make-over of themselves.
The Malays must be willing to make some sacrifices or pengorbanan just like their forefathers had done.
Of course, to lead and rally the Malays to make such a move requires an honest, firm and enlightened leader who puts the long term gains of the country before the his own short term political gains. He must not only preach but also practise the ideals he espouses.
In addition, Malaysians must also be courageous enough to make our leaders accountable for their words and actions.
Indeed, some might point to the historical and social inertia which continually prevents us from embracing change. It is one thing to remember our past so as to not lose our head but it is another thing altogether to use our past as a convenient excuse not to change.
We may be known by our races at present, but it need not be the case in the future.
I look forward to the day when we need not worry about not having enough Malay or Indian influence in a cultural performance. Rather, a Malay can happily look at an Indian dance and say, “That’s a Malaysian dance.”
But for now, a true Malaysian is a lonely person.
Kassim Ahmad, a thinker and philosopher mentioned in a recent interview with The Sun that nearly 30 years have passed, yet no fundamental changes have occured in our country, and unless something is done soon, we’re doomed.
But then again, Kassim Ahmad has been around for nearly 70 years while I am 20 years old with a lot of more years to spare, God willing.
I can only pray that I won’t be repeating his gloomy forecast about our country’s future when I reached his age.
—
WAN MOHD AIMRAN BIN WAN MOHD KAMIL is a staff writer for theCICAK.
He is currently a Physics and Theoretical Physics undergraduate at Imperial College London. Often accused by friends for being too politically correct, he continually seeks a fine balance between indulging himself in philosophical thoughts and leading a normal life as a Malaysian youth. Visit his site.
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Comment of the week
I defend my right as a Malaysian to talk about anything that concerns Malaysia.
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People are still obssessed with racial wealth and demand special rights when Malaysia is facing globalisation. If the Malays still continue such obssession, they will be washed away by the waves of globalisation.
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I agree with Life Feel’s statement. Globalisation is supposed to be good for everyone involve. But ‘like all things created by mankind’ some people is going to exploit it. Malaysia at the moment, is not ready for globalisation because the people is not ready or they don;t even know what is globalisation (i myself only ‘truly’ know about it recently).
If not done properly, it will be like a colonization (money terms). Tun Dr M have said many times already, we must be prepared for it other wise the orang putih is going to recolonize us.
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What to do with all the politikus wanting to protect and protray that they are champions of the political parties;thus protecting each race.If only Malaysia can have a level of fair play for everyone than I think she can be much better than all our neighbours.
Eg. MAS & Proton CEO, I am sure any Malaysian can handle the job be it of any race in Malaysia.Why must it be always a Malay? Like they they say be the better man wins.
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The reason that the affirmative action or NEP have failed is b’coz its been hijacked by UMNOputras and cronnies.
They work the masses into a frenzy w. their ‘bogeyman’ (US & non-malays)while they rob the very ppl they r championing for.
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The issue of giving Malays more crutches to help them improve their lot in life has been played to the gallery for far too long by our ruling elites just to keep themselves in power. This will be kept up as long as the misinformed majority remain as their supporters. It is a great comfort for us to note that more of our young minds are speaking up to break away from this crippling mindset.
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Yes, yes and yes! Malays must start to be independent and stop being fed by the government. We are all humans. If we want to tlak bout equal rights, lets start from abolishing all the special rights given to the Bumis. Even if the government wants to continue spoon-feed the Malays, i think they should not rest and just open their big mouth shaking their legs to be spoon fed. Instead, why not forget bout the special rights Bumis are entitled to and work your own way up?
It’s real disgusting to tell the world we are a multiracial country that’s harmony when the non Bumis are being in a disadvantage seat againsts the Bumis. In my own experience this year, I didn’t get my local Uni application even when i say I “setuju” to take whatever course that might be given to me. While my chinese-muslim friend (a Bumiputra) got a course out of his choices when he say he “tidak setuju” to other courses! And my results is better than him. So, am I happy with it? Of course not! Where is the equal rights and transparency?
We obviously need a change in Malaysia in terms of lots things, especially the educatonal system and the seperation of Bumis and non Bumis. Malaysia is NOT a Islamic country BUT a MALAYSIAN’S Malaysia! The government should take back the tag “Malaysia is an Islamic Country” if they want the country to progress. Make it equal! Make the Malays and all the other races to work for their living! Not sit there and wait to be spoon fed!
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i hope i don’t sound terribly racist when i say:
“we need more malays like you”
=)
although i am a self-confessed idealist, the way i see it, only the malays can help themselves in this case.
non-malays will only be seen as meddling in racist affairs if our current political mindset remains.
it is indeed encouraging to see more and more young malays (like you and my friends) realizing that the status quo must be changed sooner or later.
good for you.
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“Never claim as a right what you can ask as a favor.”
- John Churton Collins
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When I see a Malay, associated with the Imperial College of London… I can only think of one thing.
It’s a pity.
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If only Dato Onn managed to open UMNO to all races,
there will be no BN that consist of parties cater for certain races,
political power will be more balance,
without having Malaysia being ruled by a big chunk of parties called BN.
possibly DEP/NEP will not exist and we will not be labels as bumis and non bumis
and most probably our country’s cake will be very big and we might be as wealthy as Singapore,
without having certain people being fed by taxpayers’ money.
both Malays and non Malays will be rich, less corruption.
possibly may 13 might not happen if Dato Onn ruled.
Dato Onn, Dato Onn….
You are right.
If only you ruled, today our country will be better
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The mentality of malays must change. If they expect the government to feed them all the time (perhaps forever), then Malaysia is bound to be doomed. I like to live in Malaysia but I do not like the discrimination I see everyday. That’s is why I left. Most people left Malaysia because of this reason. It is not that it is more glamorous to stay overseas but at least I felt that I am not wasting my efforts to a country bound to be doomed. I would like to contribute to a country whisch fair to all its citizens regardless of race and ‘connections’. Competition should be fair and square and not lop-sided as in our education, political and etc. systems.
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it’s time for the Malays to wake up…
it’s sometimes tough to love our country when there are stuff like this you don’t agree to.. and looking at the current situation in UMNO.. it’s no less dissapointing..
I pray that Malaysia will be able to wisely thread on the fine line of slowly changing our system toward a more open system.. where we are all considered Malaysians.. and not people of our race.. God Bless Malaysia.
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Difficult to ‘wake up’ when u & ur children are promised ’subsidy’ even if its just crumbs & u r conditioned to believe ur non-bumi neigbour is actually trying to steal ur land & rights and only UMNO can protect u
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I’m a Malay. And I must say, I myself am getting tired of the Malays resisting change. You talked about comfort zone. How true. We like to think that in the end we would not fare too badly. Because the country will take care of us. How sad.
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you know - ‘rakyat’ i believe if the main people in UMNO choose to make a difference - they can… that of course needs very very good leaders up there…
I also believe that the the Malays must not take this excuse and remain like that. As the author has pointed out, - “..It is one thing to remember our past as not to lose our head but it is another thing altogether to use our past as a convenient excuse not to change..”
As a citizen of Malaysia, I hope to the day where we can see true unity… Unity now? Let’s rethink the ‘unity’ that we have now.. Think Malaysians! Think for the betterment of our future…
back to the spirit of REAL merdeka and REAL Rukunegara
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Our forefathers was able to unite under one flag because of the wanting of independence. They themselves were shown right on the face the effects of being colonize and wanted freedom.
Unless something is done to make Malays realise what is going on and what must be done, nothing will start.
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There is nothing in this article that I disagree with except the title. Giving your fellow Malay mates a wake up call is a responsibility, not a betrayal. Kudos for having enough courage to speak of reality.
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I don’t think we will ever see the day that ideal day where all races are equal. If you don’t like it, just leave the damn country.
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sorry to say to FedUp, but there will be a day where all races are equal.. equality is important, it is why people evolve.. people don’t tend to evolve/to improve if they r always in ’safe place’..
I have an example of how human body react with a small microorganism calle burkholderia pseudomallei.. it is something that live in our soils in Asia specificly Malaysia.. We Malaysian are immuned to it, but many of singaporean doesn’t.. why? bcoz they’re always kept safe within the concrete jungle, without playing around with nature..
even American CDC categorised this microorganism as a level-2 threat..
think paan…
if all malays are always kept safe.. there will be less evolution, where the evolution will always be in the compound of ’safe place’..
but how we define equality? there is another question..
it is just my opinion, after all i’m just a 23yr old malay doing research in local institution..
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Dear Fed Up,
The problem with this “damn country” is that people like you, who are fed up, are complacent with the current situation and are willing to sit down and be silent. The day when all Malaysians become equal is becoming more apparent with people like Wan Mohd Aimran admitting the flaws of his race. When that day comes, you can come cuddle with us in the warm embrace of our Malaysian flag.
Yours Truly,
Defiant
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So what? all u guys do is whine whine whine! So what if we get more malays admitting the inefficiency of UMNO’s raping the rights of the rural malays? So what if we lament the fact that dato’onn didnt open a multi racial party.
U guys just gotta bloody well deal with it. We inherit this earth as it is so u might as well do something about it. For a bunch of young idealist, all of u just whine whine whine! What about a possible solution? HOw do we make the malays be aware? How do we make the government care? How can we move to a Malaysian society where NO ONE is at an obvious disadvantage?
Chinese use malays to their picking. Indians are usually totally lost and when they do make it, they practice nepotism all the way, and malays (Privileged ones) will continue cheating their own people from benefitting from their so-called NEP rights also with the help of the chinese/indians.
That is our country and if all of u can do is complain then this is just a useless coffee shop for idle chatter.
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Wow, a few days and this place is real HOT suddenly!!! OK, maybe if we want a change, we do not necessary have to leave this country!(Though that’s what I am planning and hoping to achieve - leaving this ‘damn’ country)
I think for a change in equality and rights, we must have a better system in our politics! First of all, the government shouldn’t JUST SAY BUT really give other race a chance to be the PM! PM should not be only a position given to a Malay! It’s important that whoever that’s capable should have that post regardless of his/her race! Mind you, HER as well! It should not be in the ‘unofficial’ constitution of our government to make sure that the PM post is only available for Malays!!!
If a Malay is the best choice, so be him/her. If he/she is a Chinese/Indian/Iban/Kadazan/Eurasian/etc…as long as he/she is the best candidate, so be him/her!
And I do not like the current system not for just that! The PM should be given a time frame, a period of term as a MAX time for him/her to be the PM. SUch as in US, where the President is only given a MAX term of 2 right? We can’t have a PM which rule the country for over a period of 20/30 years (such as our ‘beloved’ Dr.M). This restrain our country from getting a change! The longer the PM holds the post, the more severe our country will be! (I guess too late huh?)
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Dear fedup, hahahaha, yeah go and leave the country man! surely our nation dont need people like you who do not want to do anything about it. The faster, the better…mWAHAHAHHA!
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I am turning 50 real soon and believe me I find that the Bumi special rights is actually a good thing if implemented well without the usual cronyism and old boys network thingy!
What is wrong if All Bumis benefit as the Wise Oldie has said ” prosper thy neighbour” and as a country we can all benefit….maybe I am getting old and naive!
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inherent apathy among the malays? i would have to disagree with such an essentialist and over-simplified characterisation of the malay race. these are the very assumptions that have led the country down a path of sectarianism, communalism and dare i say it? racism.
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If possible, you try to buy this book, titled “To digress a little”. Got the book from Popular bookshop. In the front cover got the picture of the present PM and the ex. In the book, the author has already ’suggest’ some solutions to the existing problems. It is a good read.
Adam, agree with you on the in power too long. 8-10 years is sufficient. Too short also got good, like the CM in Sabah, when they use to have new CM, every 2 years.
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Good to hear from a Malay. Kudos!
Sad to say, only few Malays are thinking the same as you. And mostly, they come from the city.
The Malays are spoonfed by the corrupted government which are predominantly Malays. I’m not saying that the Malay politicians are corrupted but rather ALL including the CHINESE!
Can’t we be like the Singaporean government? Think for the citizen and the country first and take whatever is left for yourself.
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I seriously think it is time to ABOLISH the Malay people and rebuild them again.
The M government has spoiled the race rotten and made it the cancer of the country which M himself has become unable to cure despite being a doctor.
The Malay should be reintegrated into the Orang Asli. And from there, they should be recivilised.
All is not lost with the Malay. The Malay person has values, but such values remain only in the Orang Asli (who comprise Negrito, Senoi AND Malay).
I fully believe with P Ramlee’s call to redefine Malay so that Malay can survive in a globalised world.
Malay as it stands today only refers to one third of the Orang Asli which is Muslim and speaks the Temuan language.
Too small lah. Can hilang di dunia globalisasi.
Time for us to rebuild the Malay as meaning all indigenous people of Malaysia, East and West.
No more Muslim = Malay.
Crazy to force one religion on the human race. Islam never did so under Omar and Ali. Their Islam was real Islam = love and liberalism.
The Islam of today is false Islam and it is the Wahhabi cult.
The person called Malay must give himself a funeral and be resurrected as an Orang Asli with his Asliness.
The mainstream Malay of today does not have culture and values. He is mainly possessed by the devil Sultan Mahmud Shah 2 the bastard rapist of ancient Johor.
Time to break the curse of Mahmud over the Malays and return them to their Malayness, read Orang Asliness.
Asli culture is about respect. Malay culture must march to the drum of its true self that is Asli culture.
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