Seditious remarks on the Chinese and Indians - by some UMNO supporters - that they are “kaum pendatang” (immigrants) and are in this country as “hanya penumpang” (mere surrogates) have not gone down well with the non-Malays. Oddly, some of these non-Malays - labelled as thus - are supposedly “sharing power” with UMNO in Barisan Nasional.
“Pendatang” and “Penumpang”
One may wonder why UMNO must co-operate with MCA, Gerakan and MIC when these parties are represented by “pendatang” and “penumpang”. Is UMNO then taking advantage of the non-Malays for their political survival? Why should MCA, Gerakan and MIC stay on with Barisan Nasional when there are individuals and groups associated with UMNO calling the Chinese and Indians with such foul-mouthed words?
Their libellous act is tantamount to classifying the non-Malays as totally an estranged group in the country. UMNO on its part seems not to have any political will to rein in these bigots. This does not reflect well on UMNO, being the main party in Barisan Nasional.
“It reflects badly on UMNO and not the majority Malays,” said a local university lecturer in Selangor. “UMNO seems to believe that these bigotry remarks could help them secure more Malays votes. It will not,” he added.
The consequences of being branded as second-class citizens, the non-Malays are turning their back to MCA, Gerakan and MIC.
UMNO is okay with it
The Malays too are distancing themselves from UMNO. These are the Malays who have religious consciences in them and view UMNO as a racially prejudiced party. This on the whole is making politics more difficult for those race-based parties in Barisan Nasional.
The more the bigots howl at the non-Malay leaders using seditious and uncouth words the more the latter will stay away from any UMNO-linked parties. These chauvinists are not only helping to shoo away non-Malay voters but also the sensible Malays from UMNO and Barisan Nasional.
“Failing to reprove these dogmatists has made the people perceive that UMNO is okay with it,” said a Gerakan leader. “This is making the non-Malays think that UMNO is readily sanctioning the many seditious remarks and behaviour that put the Chinese and Indians as a ‘different class of people’ in this country,” he added.
Disappointingly, the almost five decades of independence and the sacrifice of the Chinese and Indians for the nation have been overlooked by some UMNO supporters for political reasons.
By tacitly sanctioning the racial diehards UMNO is now facing a daunting task to secure the non-Malay support. They are well aware that they have even lost a significant number of Malay supporters to the Opposition. And now with these ruthless racial remarks and notorious act on the non-Malays UMNO’s hope of getting the backing of non-Malays is further dashed.
Just a political whim
Over 95 percent of the present generation Chinese and Indians were born in this country and branding them as “pendatang” and “penumpang” is totally uncalled-for. Not accepting them into the genuine 1Malaysia fold is just implausible.
“It’s only when these ethnic groups are overtly recognised as ‘the people of Malaysia’ would the process of racial integration and even assimilation occur expeditiously,” commented a sociologist attached to a local university. “However, besides government policies it’s still the education system that must see to the integration of all races in the country,” he added.
Many thus feel that the slogan 1Malaysia is a superficial slogan - just a political whim created to give a rosy picture of unity among Malaysians.
“It has been repeatedly reported by the media that seditious remarks have been made by some UMNO supporters for political reasons but nothing much is done by the UMNO-led incumbent government to dissuade these bigots from continuing with this racial tirade,” quipped a former university lecturer in Selangor.
UMNO has MCA, Gerakan and MIC in the coalition party but is UMNO sincere in accommodating the non-Malays? Or, is it only a marriage of convenience to consolidate UMNO power by having an artificial coalition. Most political observers feel that UMNO only pays lip service when it comes to racial unity.
Taken for a ride
The non-Malays supporting MCA, Gerakan and MIC are taken for a ride, illusorily. They virtually have not much say in the government of the day. But their leaders are just gratified with their high-paying government posts - never mind if only crumbs are thrown by UMNO at their loyal supporters.
UMNO is actually playing a losing game in politics. Each time UMNO is faced with uncertainties and losing Malay support there will be a few “clowns” among them or their links who will utter some seditious remarks on the non-Malays. Their erroneous political perception is to play with seditious sentiment to make them more popular among the Malays.
This has backfired. UMNO and Barisan Nasional are losing support from almost all races in the country.
Politics in UMNO has not got off the racial card. When they fail to argue on social and economic issues affecting the country they resort to cheap politics of race or religion. And the punching bag will always be the non-Malays – the Chinese and Indians.
This approach in politics by UMNO has helped made the Opposition grow much stronger. Despondent non-Malays who are not in favour of UMNO and disappointed with MCA, Gerakan and MIC are now supporting the Opposition.
Not ready to be humiliated
The present non-Malay deportment is not to shift to a non-Malay dominated party or coalition but to support another Malay majority party or coalition that will acknowledge their rightful position as Malaysian citizens.
“The non-Malays are not ready to be humiliated by racial extremists. They are irrepressible people and have pride in themselves as Malaysians,” observed a prominent Chinese party leader.
Strangely, despite having little respect for the Chinese and Indians UMNO wants to work with MCA, Gerakan and MIC that represent the non-Malays through Barisan Nasional. If truth be told, UMNO’s mute stance on those seditious outbursts and acts has now distanced these parties from the non-Malays.
UMNO cannot afford to lose Chinese and Indian support as it cannot depend on just the Malay votes to win the next general election. Malays are predominantly represented in PAS and PKR too other than UMNO. UMNO out of no choice needs Chinese and Indian votes to make it in the next general elections.
And yet UMNO is buttoned-up when some individuals and extreme groups go all out to debase the non-Malays.
Contributions made by the Chinese and Indians
Of course MCA, Gerakan and MIC have been facing an uphill task to act against these chauvinistic individuals and groups when UMNO itself does not admonish them for their lose talks. “The sign is there. These parties are now facing unpopularity among the non-Malays. The Chinese, Indians and even the Malays will abandon these parties in the next general election,” remarked a political observer.
Oddly, these extremist individuals and groups would prefer to put aside the contributions made by the Chinese and Indians in developing this country to dupe the innocent Malays.
Whatever happened during the pre- war and the pre- independence time should not colour UMNO’s perception of the Chinese or Indians. The Chinese of present Malaysia in particular have evolved into a responsible ethnic group. Since achieving independence they have nobly helped developed the country to what it is today. The Indians both as professionals and labourers have also contributed their part in the progress of the nation.
Economically they have built this country for all races to enjoy the fruit of development. Many have fought for the country and lost their lives in the process. They generate the economy and pay income tax. Many have slogged hard for a living. Among them are businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and menial workers who have helped build this country in their own ways.
They have contributed so much to the nation that no Malay can ever deny. They have not sought free lunch from anybody. This is their country of birth and they have shown undivided love for the country.
Not to usurp power
Despite labelling the Chinese and Indians as “non-bumiputera”, “pendatang” and “penumpang” they are citizens of the country not to usurp power from the Malays. In both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Pact these ethnic groups form the minority. In either coalition it will still be the Malay majority that will steer the country ahead with significant support from the minority groups.
Their education system post six years of their primary education has seen Chinese and Indians adopting the national education policies. Despite the policy of “Malay first” UMNO is adopting, the non-Malays have not shown any rebellious signs against them. They only seek social justice and fairness just like any other ordinary Malaysians.
Malaysia Chronicle
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.