YOURSAY | Realpolitik means Malay fears must be allayed

YOURSAY | ‘Unscrupulous Malay politicians will always use non-Malays as their bogeymen.’

'Lazy Malays' and tactical blunders - Anwar reflects on Harapan in power

Fair Play: The truth and the stark reality in Malaysian politics is this. In this country, the three ‘Rs’ of race, religion and royalty are an integral part of the Malay psyche and heartland of Malay politics.

It is how moderate Malay politicians are able to navigate and strike a delicate balance between demands of the various communities without each being seen as a victim of the others. This balancing act is how the country has been able to progress, albeit at a snail’s pace.

By and large, the majority community is so engrossed with their 3Rs that now, as a community, they can’t see the forest for the trees. They have been so indoctrinated by their leaders that they only see non-Malays as their enemies.

Unscrupulous Malay politicians will always use the DAP card and non-Malays as their bogeymen because they are bankrupt of ideas on how to raise the economic well-being of their community.

After 63 years at the helm, what have Malay politicians achieved for their community? The majority of the B40 (bottom 40 percent) who are Malays speak volumes of their ‘success’.

With the economic pie shrinking, the situation could only get worse. Playing the blame game is their game, especially now.

Just look at former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the man himself. Mahathir blames Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin for his troubles. Did Mahathir ever accept responsibility and ownership for his major missteps for the fall of Pakatan Harapan?

Karma: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is right. The issues of Malays and Islam were the core reasons for the demise of the Harapan government. Failure to stop racism is also another root cause. You can be seen to help the poor Malays but at the same time, you need to remove racism.

Now after Harapan has been cheated, we finally can guess why racism was not eliminated. It is done on purpose to drive a wedge between Malays and Harapan.

Furthermore, the non-Malays in Harapan were too eager to claim their prizes like what Anwar said. The non-Malays should wait. They need to prove to the Malays that they can get a better deal from Harapan than BN.

GoldenOtter9915: There are lazy ones in all races, as well as the good, the bad and the ugly. Religion does not guarantee human morality and integrity.

There are many hardworking, intelligent and diligent Malays. Racial stereotyping misleads and does not help the nation to progress. Addressing Malaysians based on needs will help all Malaysians to progress.

Bahasa Malaysia has been the national language for many years and surely many, if not most, can speak the language. Some to a greater extent than others, depending on their love of language.

These varying levels of mastery of the language are common even in English-speaking countries like the UK and the US, where many have a poor command of the vernacular. Some non-Malays are known to have a much better command of the language than even the Malays.

It must be highlighted that many Malays are sending their children to Chinese schools for the benefit of general education and the mastery of Mandarin seen as a positive in the wake of China's growing global outreach and influence.

There are many Malays who are also proficient in Mandarin already and I suspect, are not making it public for fear of persecution.

The fishermen (as mentioned by Anwar) have been let down by the Malaysian government for many decades. Giving them an extra RM100 is of no meaningful benefit to them in the long run.

Instead, why not invest in research and education programmes for them so that they will be able to earn more than the RM100 shortfall they complain of? It would be much better for fishermen to use modern technology.

It’s just like giving Malaysians bags of rice, sugar and oil et cetera, without ever taking steps to advance their abilities and realise their aspirations for higher income. This only helps to keep them in poverty, allowing politicians to buy their votes to retain power.

Iphonezours: Rightly said, Anwar. BN over the years had built up the Malay agenda, through all means and ways such as extensive handouts and cash assistance which went a long way for the ordinary/poor Malays.

When Harapan won big, their arrogance grew, and they belittled the civil service. Cash handouts were reduced, some government departments were closed, among others.

All of this did not go down well with ordinary/rural Malays. The vast majority of Malays, especially in the semi-urban and rural areas, needed the assurance that Harapan would not neglect them but the coalition failed to do so.

You cannot change people’s attitude overnight, not even after a huge election win. If Harapan ever returns to power anytime soon or in the next general election, they need to go down to basics.

Soul: Wrong, Iphonezours! Cash handouts have to be reduced as the country is deeply in debt. You have the Umno mindset. Do Harapan neglect Malays? Look at Selangor and Penang. Are the Malays neglected?

Milshah: Yes, address the Malay’s concerns. I have been saying this from day one when Harapan governed. We need the Malays. But everyone only looked at what non-Malays wanted since many of them voted for Harapan.

The truth is that anyone who wants to govern Malaysia needs Malay votes. And now Umno/PAS has complete control of them.

It will be very hard for Harapan to get the Malays back after being embroiled in various issues – the controversial preacher Zakir Naik, khat lessons, Icerd (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination), the Malay Dignity Congress and recognition of the UEC (Unified Examination Certificate).

Majority Must Safeguard Minority Rights: Malay, Malay, Malay. After 63 years, that’s all we hear.

It is time to wake up and smell the coffee and look around you. Vietnam, Singapore, China, and Thailand are all progressing. What do the Malays want? End up as Grab drivers after trillions being spent on them?

Not Convinced: Politics is not just about doing what is right. But also ensuring that the majority is in lockstep as we move forward.

The trick is getting them to get them on board. And that will require addressing their insecurities, where we like it or not. - Mkini