IS STRIVING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR OWN RACE RACIST?

I felt some kind of urge to provide my own summary on what TDM has spoken and written of late. This urge came down upon me not because of any feeling of self-importance rather because I feel Malays are now becoming more and more timid to talk about their own race, especially the Y Generation.

Malays must be brave and proud to defend our dignity and status because we are natives of this land among other indigenous people.

It is saddening to see that when Malays are vocal about their own race nowadays, people are quick to label them as racist but when other races are vocal about their own race, it seems to be not racist.

For example, when one Chinese leader called for the abolition of the 30 percent bumiputera equity; since such change can largely benefit the Chinese, is that not racist? Dissenting voices against it was a far cry with dissenting voices hurled at UMNO.

Hindraf is currently planning to do a protest march at the end of this month on the case of "Interlok".Is that not defending the Indian race, hence racist?

Plus, the continued presence of vernacular schools also represents the symbol of each race - one that is geared towards the preservation of a particular racial culture.

I am in no way implying the "superiority" of Malays nor do I imply on denying any of the rights of other races. Besides if we look at the list of top billionaires in Malaysia, 80% are Non-Malays with names that include Tan Sri Robert Kuok, Tan Sri T Ananda Krishnan, Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow, and Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng. This is stark proof that Non-Malays can prosper in Malaysia. 

Simply put, if other races can fight for their own well-being and not be labeled racist, why in God's Heaven that when Malays speak about themselves, all criticisms be it "intelectual" or otherwise will be thrown at us top, down, left and right!  

Malaysians of all races should acknowledge that any push to abolish certain Malay privileges must be accompanied with the abolition of certain guarantees accorded to the other races in the social contract. It is only fair.

Until that time happens, Malays must realize that striving for your own race is not racist rather it is an honorable cause so long as we ensure we are standing up so that Malays are not left behind. Other races are doing it too, why are we as young Malays being timid? What happened to our voice?

ARE WE READY FOR 1 MALAYSIA: DOES RACE STILL PLAY A PART? - TUN DR. MAHATHIR MOHAMAD

Question: It is now more than 50 years since independence. For how long do the Malays expect to be treated as special and different from other citizens?

Answer: For as long as the Chinese and Indians prefer to be identified with their countries of origins. For as long as they want to keep their home languages and their schools.


Question: The so-called Social Contract was made a long time ago. We were not involved and we cannot be bound by it forever. When can we ignore the Social Contract and make up our own Social Contract?

Answer: When everyone agrees to throw out the social contract and replace it with a new one.


This will take a long time. It will be between races, racial factors will be included. Unless both sides agree to give up their races' own rights as spelt out in the first contract i.e. the preservation of own home languages and schools etc - the rights of the indigenous races to their special position etc must be a part of the new social contract.


It is not certain that each would demand for more than what they got in the old contract. It is likely there would be no agreement and contract.


Question: So there will be no solution. The racial division will remain?

Answer: In Vision 2020, one of its objectives is to create a Bangsa Malaysia.


The believe at that time is that when Malaysia becomes a fully developed country, it would become very prosperous.


The prosperity will be shared among all the races. The would be less jealousy among them. There would also be less fear of any race being dominated by any other race.


The political cooperation between the races will be made more meaningful as loyalty to the country would override other loyalties. In fact, non-racial parties would be the trend. 


It will take a long time perhaps - depending on fair wealth distribution. But once it takes off the pace will increase.


Malaysians of all races would be so proud of their country and its great achievements that the desire to be linked with other country would be much diminished if not disappear altogether (as happened in prosperous multi-racial countries like the US - where the German Eisenhower led the war against Germany. Eisenhower was American first and his country of origin was irrelevant to him)


The Malaysians at that stage would be Bangsa Malaysia first and always. The thing to do now is to ensure prosperity for the country and its fair distribution. Removing current rights of any of the races at the moment will only lead to racial conflicts and obstruct prosperity.


Question: There are Malays in the opposition who condemn the NEP as unfair discrimination?

Answer: There are also Chinese and Indians who appreciate what the Malays have done and support the NEP. They are not so vocal for obvious reasons.


One has to has to look at the Malays who condemn the NEP, if they are politician and supporters of certain parties, their views are motivated by a desire to get Chinese support. They assume that they themselves would lead the nation and enjoy power and opportunities through Chinese support. But they will be a pay-back period. The support is not for free. The Malay leaders will be like mere puppets.


The non-politically educated Malays feels ashamed that they have to be helped. They would like to be recognized as people who succeeded on their own. If we study these people almost invariably they have benefited from the NEP. They appear to be ashamed of this.


They are ashamed to admit that they were unable to compete with other races. I am not ashamed to admit that I cannot compete with the Chinese and Indians when studying medicine. They had much better results than me and the other six Malay students entry into Medical College.


Even at that time the British promised to the Rulers to help educate the Malays. I had my chance because of the affirmative action then. On pure merit I would not be a doctor today, not because I was not qualified, but my qualification was lower than others.


One has to remember that the Chinese Civilization is more than 4000 years old. No other civilization had lasted that long. Naturally they have developed a culture better able to survive under all conditions. It is my belief that if the percentage of Chinese in the UK is the same as in Malaysia, UK would be better developed as it is now. It is not surprising the Chinese excel in developing Malaysia (for which they are amply rewarded)


It is not shameful to lose out against them. Simply to catch up with them we need handicaps.To be given handicaps is to ensure fairness, not discrimination. That is why in golf you have handicaps. That is why in all contest there must equality among the contestants.

It is selfish if having benefited for the handicaps you want to deny others from having them.


But when all is said and done, those who are given the benefits of handicaps must make honest effort to use them properly. If they don't they must forfeit the handicap in the future. 


Source: "The Leaders Opinion" Excerpt Q&A with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad