I wish I could write more often and make my blog a worthwhile following for the early supporters but unfortunately my style of writing is such that I rant in one go. This means I have to complete a story in one seating and not do it bit by bit so if of late I have been “plagued” by transit issues in my life, this simply means I rarely have the mood nor the time to update the blog. This morning however I was inspired all of a sudden…
“Ketuanan Melayu” is a major part of the current political rhetoric. Below is a rather refreshing thought from one Said Zahari, a journalist that spent 17 years in ISA in Singapore:
I don’t understand why Umno wants to play the role of “Tuan”. Why do you want to talk about “Ketuanan Melayu”? The symbol of that is the Agong — and nobody can touch him. Who worries about a Chinese [Malaysian] or Indian [Malaysian] becoming the Agong? As for economic matters, the constitution and the New Economic Policy guarantee a lot of rights for the Malays. There’s nothing at stake for “Ketuanan Melayu”. Enough lah. What Umno should be concerned for is “Kepimpinan Melayu” — orang Melayu jadi pemimpin bangsa Malaysia. In other words, you make sure that Malays can be leaders of Malaysia, for this whole nation, not just Umno. They make “Ketuanan Melayu” an issue because when they are in trouble, they think they can unite the Malays on this. But it won’t work now because of the new media. The different views are well known. People will understand where you try to bluff and cheat.
Journalist Said Zahari
1. I think Said Zahari makes a lot of sense here. When I wrote my infamous Malay Rights article part 1&2 before, those who did not understand or those who choose not to understand simply labeled me as a neo malay who has forgotten the Malay struggle. For the life of me I do not understand what makes these detractors think that I want us to “waive” our rights but instead I have always meant to say that we have to earn our rights. This also means that our so called “malay” rights will always be our rights!
2. What we should be concerned about is “Kepimpinan Melayu” because this is our Tanah Melayu. A country for all Malaysians lead by the Malays as clearly stated and embedded in our constitution. Our political leaders cannot be confused between these two concepts. To continue shouting for “Ketuanan Melayu” will create racial and unjust sentiments that unfortunately the younger and modern Malaysians refuse to accept but to maintain a “Kepimpinan Melayu” is something that very few will ever question.
3. We Malays need to realize that we have to adopt a sense of being merit driven first above everything else. This will be our personal glory that no one will ever question. What we see happening with the likes of Perkasa these days is merely an interpretation of insecurity which most “ultra” Malays seem to echo in fear of losing control. What control could we possibly lose? The Yang DiPertuan Agong? Perdana Menteri? Penyimpan Mohor Mohor Besar DiRaja? Ketua Hakim Negara? Ketua Polis Negara? Panglima Angkatan Tentera?
4. How can we be so insecure? Why do we even show this moment of weakness? I personally think that we must show our desire for a more just Malaysia and promote equal justice among races for the single objective of achieving sincere harmony. Such noble lead will lead to mutual respect and admiration. The non malays if my memory serves me right never questions the malay leadership role in Malaysia. It is the absolute rights abuse that hits a nerve with them. Can we blame them actually? This is why we have to change the way we lead the nation and this is what our PM’s One Malaysia is all about. It will not change the role and rights of the malays but instead it aims to create a concept of a more equitable nation for all Malaysians. Is it really wrong?
Let us all be more of a “Perkasa Malay” by being fair and just to all our brother and sister Malaysians. After all, as the FATHER of the nation we Malays are obligated to do so! point made loud and clear…
shaikrizal@gmail.com
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I’m going to retire in a couple of years now and for the first time I see our country is beseiged by a climate of fear, an unnecessary anxiety amongst the races,distrust, idiotic rhetorics and hallucinations all thanks to our ingenius politicians who only care for their own survival rather the nation. Hardly a handful of politicians are doing any good to the nation by uniting the peoples, promote peace, drive the economy to compete, if not to prevent our economy from sliding further down from our neighbors……NOT A DAY GOES BY IN OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT SOME IDIOTS PROVOKING ANOTHER RACIAL ISSUES! I think it’s time to stop all these stupidity and wake up from hallucinations. It will be sad if suddenly we found ourselves behind Laos.
I am afraid that the insecurity comes largely from fear, the fear of change and the fear of not having what it takes to come out on top. Actually, PERKASA is not gagah at all but PENAKUT.