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COMMENT OF THE WEEK: It’s up to the “wronged” minority to tell the majority about grievances

Want to know what people are saying about the issues? In an effort to further promote discussion among our readers, theCICAK is going to highlight a thought-provoking comment every week - the best of the responses we’ve gotten for past articles in the previous week. And we want you to argue with their main points and present YOUR side of the story. Who knows; it could prompt someone to write a whole new article with a brand-new perspective!

This week, reader kampongbouy ponders the hotly debated issue of racial injustice and how the passionate minority can positively influence the apathetic and conflicted majority, in response to Fabian Ooi’s article “We need you, young Malaysians abroad!” He puts the onus on the so-called “wronged party” i.e. non-Malays to effect change and help bumiputeras understand why the minority feels like Malaysia is against them.

We want to know if YOU think some races are more passive about injustices done to other races, and if the methods suggested by kampongbouy are enough to get people to bring about understanding and change? Post your comments below!

Click here to read kampongbouy’s comment in its original context and Fabian’s article, or scroll down for a linked version that has been edited for clarity.
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Posted 9 Jan 2007 by kampongbouy
I find it strange that people refer to the work from the education blog as charity. I disagree that it is charity. It is nation-building, it is education, it is a lot of things BUT charity. By classifying this kind of work as mere charity, you are framing the question such that there will be no answer. The charity you might be thinking of are mostly done by the politically organised Malaysian Charity Association, not individuals like this.

First, to find answers to the two questions asked by elegant lily. To look for answers mean that we assume that solutions to the questions exist. Basically, the two questions equal but one question if I am allowed to generalise. That is, how does can a minority effect change in a society like Malaysia where the majority dominates? A majority with increasingly differing values, if I might add.

I have been considering this question for some time. Maybe we can share our thoughts.

I think, in the end, whether there can be any solution to the question depends on our most basic beliefs about human nature. In this case, the human nature of the Malays in Malaysia.

For example, if we were to take the most ideal Islamic state promised by the most idealistic modern Malaysian Muslims (i.e. propaganda catered for the non-Muslims) at face value, we would be guaranteed every right and every freedom that even the minorities in the land of the free would envy. If this most idealistic of ideals can be assumed, your question is answered. Change is brought on through more religion instead of less.

But I am not a Muslim so I don’t buy that. However, that fantasy does bring in sight a possible solution.

Does injustice not offend Malays too? Is their sense of justice different from ours? Would they propagate injustice if it is presented in a clear, understandable and unambiguous manner?

I believe that the Malays are no different from the other races in their moral beliefs. Injustice offends them too. In fact, if you take a random personal sample of taxi drivers in KL and measure their likelihood of overcharging you as a yardstick for their basic belief in justice; my personal experience favours the Malays.

When faced with information on injustice, how would they react? Would they just remain silent and passive? Would they actively condemn acts of injustice? Would they support efforts for more justice?

On this, I think how they would react depends on: First, the severity of injustice (like punching a defenceless prisoner). Second, the relationship or connection between them and the wronged party. And third, the perceived conduct/righteousness of the wronged party. Finally, also how it would affect them in all manners, including materialistically or otherwise.

So in summary, I think that positive change could be brought about by more information, exchanges and understanding (e.g. we must communicate in Malay to the masses). It can also be brought about by encouraging closer ties - whether personal or societal - building bridges etc. It can also be brought about with a vision of shared destiny (”we are all rowing a boat” advert). And many other ways such as giving IT skills training to schoolkids regardless of race.

What I think will not work are actions such as: daydreaming that Malays - who are on average poorer - will actively fight for our rights to freedom and justice, while we concentrate our energies on making more money overseas or locally.

Being so afraid that we are the minority and that we might be slaughtered en masse is failing to communicate our grievances and to uphold justice.

Waiting for implosion to happen.

Happy new year to everyone.
KB
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KAMPONGBOUY is a regular reader of theCICAK.