1Melayu, 1Bumi: The End Game

Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the '1Melayu, 1Bumi' movement proposed by the right wing non-governmental organisation Perkasa will be very bad for the country.

"I hope it doesn't happen. It's very bad for Malaysia."

"If we go ahead with this, there will be a two party system in politics. If one is Malay-dominated and the other is Chinese-dominated, it will be a disaster for this country."

I could not agree more with Dr Mahathir that the 1Melayu 1Bumi movement is a bad thing for Malaysia. It is a disaster for the image of this country. If the movement materialises and if the government does not outlaw it the way it did to Hindraf, the administration will lose its credibility for being selective in prosecuting organizations which can incite racial hatred.

But the hands of the administration are tied. How can the UMNO led government take stern action against the extreme segment of its own members? Almost 90 percent of Perkasa members are associated with the party directly or indirectly.

However, there is one thing that Dr Mahathir might be wrong. The ultimate results may not a coalition led by the Malay and other led by the Chinese. Both coalitions, Pakatan and Barisan, are led by Malay leaders.

Chinese in this country have long accepted the Malay leadership. However, they are merely choosing between a lesser evil between the two.

Hence, no amount of threats is going to make them change their mind like before. The political reality today is the core of our political contestation is between two sides of Malay leadership - one which wants to accommodate the other races as equals (ketuanan rakyat) and the other which wants to maintain status quo (ketuanan Melayu).

It is sad to note Perkasa, Utusan Malaysia and Dr Mahathir are not helping the UMNO led coalition by turning more aggressive and critical against the Chinese. Chinese voters are merely exercising their rights to vote in a constitutional democracy. The federal constitution gave them a right to choose and they are merely using their choice (whether rightly or wrongly).

Barisan Nasional, especially UMNO, must learn to respect their choice and constitutional rights. I believe PM Najib fully understands this situation and respects the wishes of the people. Unlike Mahathir, at least he did not use threats against the community.

PM Najib must be careful too. The fact that Pembela came out to demonstrate against the Christians three days before the Sarawak polling day speaks volume of their 'good' intention against the PM - despite knowing fully well that their actions may cause worse electoral setback for the Barisan Nasional candidates contesting in urban areas.

Hence, it is very important for PM Najib to put a leash on the extreme right wing forces. Make no mistake that they are not helping him.

Mahathir should not be too worried about the Malay dominated coalition versus Chinese dominated coalition. The struggle should be between a pro-reform movement and an anti-reform movement. These movements cut across coalitions and political parties. PM Najib should pick the right movement to lead so that nothing unexpected or drastic would happen to his leadership of this country.

A polarisation this country should worry more is the class divide. Poor are getting poorer and rich are getting richer. Malaysians demand for power is barely a third of some developed countries. Job opportunities are becoming narrower and scarce.

Socio-economic polarisation is something bigger than the political race divide. Malaysians of all races are becoming more mature politically especially urban folks. They are not going to buy the lame Malay unity proposal peddled by Utusan Malaysia.

Malaysians are being burdened with higher cost of living, limited job opportunities, low demand power, high property prices, low wages, crime, corruption and other teething problems. These issues and problems must be solved before any coalition can lay a claim of uninterrupted power.

Politicians ignore these socio-economic vital signs at their own peril. PM Najib must do something against these extreme right wing forces. He must do it now and do it fast. Otherwise, their actions will consume his premiership in the next few years.

- Staright Talk