TWISTED MALAYSIA, WHERE IT IS NOW 'ISLAMIC' & 'JIHAD' TO HATE THE CHINESE

“Indeed, God will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” [13:11]

In many war-torn countries we see violence in the name of tribes, creed and religion. It has been continuously reported by the world media about endless atrocities committed by religious zealots, such as murder, suicide bombing, rape, ethnic cleansing and so forth. In these countries people of the same race are divided by religions, sects and ideologies that have led to such atrocities. Even places of worship are not spared by these dogmatists in championing their religious or tribal cause. History has depicted that ethnic differences, beliefs and thoughts have brought endless conflicts and miseries to mankind. Education and religious affiliations have not in truth brought changes to these people.

The apologists among them have found it hard to justify the inviolability of their beliefs when violence keeps on dominating their tribal demesne. But they are predisposed to blame the Western power for their people’s self-inflicted frenzy and disorientation. The Jews are not spared either in this game of wrath and denunciation. Alas, assemblages affiliated to this sort of persuasion are spreading to many parts of the world today. Violence are sponsored and we have seen thousands of lives perish, properties annihilated and relics wrecked due to extremist fervour. These mayhems will not ebb until these tribes are roused to the benign teachings of their true religion.

Blaming others for our self-made sallowness and the lack of prolific accomplishments in life is pusillanimity and a form a defence mechanism – an escape route for our mental diffuseness.

The Malaysian dilemma

In the Malaysian context, regrettably, politics to some diehards is intertwined with race and religion. Any race that is less successful economically tends to smidgeon race and religion to quench their political thirst and slight other races but for their own inadequacies. Some blame the minority Chinese populace for all the economic and social miseries they are facing. This, apparently, is an outlandish phenomenon created by some self-seeking politicians.

Strange still, the some in the learned community come to join the fray pitting the races - calling their perceived nemeses as ultras and labelling them as pork eaters, cheaters, greedy and so forth. Even some sourpuss academicians have stooped so low – circuitously inciting racial animosity in a multi-racial society of this country. Cheats and illicit businesses are not confined to a single race. But then the country has enough laws to curb these activities provided enforcement officers are not on the take.

Down south Peninsular Malaysia is a nation called Singapore. Singapore with its multi-racial population of about 5.4 million is one of the richest nations in the world. Its per capita income is also among the highest in the world. It boasts of a reputable education system. Just recently the nation went to the poll to form its13th Parliament after 50 years of separation from Malaysia.

As expected, the Chinese, Malays and Indians have given their unabridged support for the incumbent party – People’s Action Party (PAP) - to continue leading the nation. The nation is no doubt a Chinese majority state but we see in their cabinet line-up ministers of all races undertaking their oath to make the nation a symbol of success and unity. Competency, simplicity and humbleness of leaders have made the nation prosper without any major racial or religious hiccups.

This nation does not need to play the race or religious card to win votes or stay in power. Nor do they have to corrupt the people to vote them in. Leaders have proven their adeptness in leadership and the people have voted them in throughout these years without amiss or fuss. Failed leaders, if there exist, would of their own accord quit without trying to clutch on to any straw that is left floating. Principles are paramount in their leadership and as politicians - advocating competency, accountability and transparency in governance. Singapore has become a nation where every citizen is generally proud to be called a Singaporean.

Being pluralistic they accommodate every race and ethnic group based on merit. The disadvantageous ethnic groups are given support but not crutches for long. They do not display any apathetic attitude towards the ethos and worldview of Singaporeans who are not of the same ethnicity as them.

Harping on race and religion

In our context, the norm is leaders tend to harp on race and religion in their political struggle. They willy-nilly make religious and racial assertions ignoring the feelings of fellow Malaysians. This is the psyche that has found its way into politics. What more, the hatred for Chinese does not seem to ebb. Every political issue is seen through the lens of race and religion. They keep on reproaching the Chinese for their own failings. In reality, nevertheless, they expect the Chinese business community to spearhead the country’s economy yet they fail to acknowledge that the Chinese have contributed so much to the country’s development. This only implies that they are somewhat disingenuous and short on self-confidence.

The Chinese can never be a threat to any race politically as they have a less than 20 percent population. To contend with them economically may certainly be an uphill task. The Chinese may dominate the economy; it’s without crutches but through sheer hard work. On the other hand, the GLCs are controlled by ethnic Malays; they dominate the civil service, the police and the army. Ethnic Malays have since Independence headed the central government and state governments, with the exception of Penang. All the state rulers and governors are Malays. Thus there can never be any threat to the Malays. It's only a perceived threat that is being used by self-seeking rabble rousing politicians to secure power.

All these racial and religious dosages are actually a sinister gambit created by menacing politicians to dupe the rural populace to think that they are the champion of their race. Religion is used in Malay politics as an ingenuous contrivance to attract mass support. Not all Malays will accept this puerile prescription, though.

In this respect, Malaysia has yet to become a mature nation-state.

Malaysians want a better government

Malaysians may go to the street for a cause – they want a better government with virtuous leadership. A government that is competent, accountable and transparent. This democratic exercise is not meant to mock people of other ethnic groups. Indeed, by virtue of the nation’s demography and present collective sentiments, ethnic Malay is accepted by all races to lead the country. The other races are not anti-Malay but they simply want honest and capable Malays to lead.

The recent Bersih 4 rally was erroneously or deliberately labelled by some political evangelists as a Chinese-dominated rally done to overthrow the government and challenge Malay supremacy. Some drowning political figures have taken this as an opportunity to shore up their relevance by tacitly backing groups to come up with a counter rally with slogans depicting race supremacy and openly condemning the Chinese - tagging the Bersih 4 rally as a DAP-backed Chinese caucus out to challenge the Malays.

The country’s economy is shrinking affecting the livelihood of many Malaysians. Our currency has weakened, investors are avoiding the country, social problems are escalating, crime rate has not abated, costs of living have gone up, and the standard of education has deteriorated. Political parties are having difficult times with their internal problems. Umno being the lynchpin of the Barisan coalition is facing a leadership crisis. The country overall is facing a confidence-deficit. Added to these woes are people going to the street using race and religion to justify their actions – inciting the people to hate fellow Malaysians.

Chinese bashing will not benefit Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN), as MCA and Gerakan will lose more support from the Chinese community. DAP is a multi-racial party. BN’s lost will be DAP’s gain. The Chinese community combined is not going to take over the Malays as the dominant group in politics. Chinese, Malays and Indians who support DAP are those who believe that DAP is a more principled party and has proven to be effective in governance. Penang is a case in point where the judicious administration of the state has become the envy of many other states. It only shows that when a capable Chinese is given the opportunity to lead he or she is able to deliver. Let’s not envy them.

Skewed view

Even the learned among our folks are having a skewed view of other Malaysian communities. Branding the Chinese to be ultras and “kiasu” is not going to make the Malays achieve what the Chinese have achieved economically. Competing with them in all fields should be the epitome of a thriving race for the Malays. Adopt all the good values of the Chinese and move forward to shine in life is the panacea to all the grievances the Malay race is facing today.

Islam, the religion that is close to the hearts of the Malays, does not condone the act of condemning any race, creed or religion.

As Muslims they should have a peek into the glorious tenets of the Quran:

“O mankind, We have created you male and female, and appointed you races and tribes, that you may know one another. Surely the noblest among you in the sight of God is the most god-fearing of you. God is All-knowing, All-aware.” [49:1]

Racial and religious incitements will bring the Malays into obscurity and make them lose confidence and become more pathetic. There are many shortfalls among the Malays that should be overcome in order to become an esteemed race. Just admit the fact that the act of disparaging other races for their own underperformances does not bode well for the community. Poverty, social problems affecting the young and old, religious obsession and aberration, poor education, lack of business acumen, refusing to think outside the box are some of the areas Malays must earnestly contemplate.

A political thrill

The government has thus far spent colossally to help the Malays financially and it’s up to the race to change their mindset and make great headway in life. They have to be resilient, prudent, educated the right way and learn to compete and work with other races instead of being too dependent on the government of the day. By finding faults with the Chinese is not the remedy to overcome their self-made snags and hitches in life.

It may be a political thrill to some and euphoria for others to go on a rhetorical war on other races. And to the politicians, it’s a vehicle to get votes and gain power. That’s the utmost delight they can achieve. All these superficial stunts unfortunately will not bring feat to the Malay race. - MAILBAG