Who is truly prepared to stand with the poor?

 

The Malay 153 Convention scheduled for Dec 13 once again brings Article 153 of the Federal Constitution into public discussion.

This provision, which addresses the special position of Malays and the bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak while safeguarding the legitimate interests of others, is not new. It has long been part of the nation’s foundation and is often linked to ideas of balance and fairness.

Yet the real question today is not about the article itself, but about how it continues to be used in politics.

Malay political history shows that internal conflict is nothing new. But if we look closely, many disputes over the past few decades have not been driven by ideology or principles.

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They have revolved around power and position. Identity politics has become a convenient tool to justify struggles for influence, while the everyday concerns of ordinary people are pushed aside.

When political power promises wealth and privilege, the desire to protect it becomes overwhelming. In this environment, ethnic sentiment is easily exploited. Claims that Malays are under threat are repeated again and again, not to strengthen the rakyat, but to protect the position of a few individuals.

Even more damaging, these battles often happen within the same group, turning unity into the first casualty.

‘You help me, I help you’

For those who already have wealth through business or inheritance, money alone is not enough without political influence. They enter politics using ethnic narratives, turning wealth into power.

On the other side, politicians with influence but limited resources need funding to stay relevant. A mutual dependence is formed. You help me, I help you. Both sides gain, while the rakyat are reduced to slogans.

This cycle continues under the familiar claim that Malays are always being oppressed. When in power, money and influence are used to secure positions. When power is lost, the narrative of Malay weakness is revived.

In truth, these struggles rarely reflect the real condition of most Malays. They are about who controls power and who is excluded from elite circles.

In politics, the real problem is not power or money on their own, but the combination of both. When power and money come together, principles are often sacrificed.

This is why the Malay 153 Convention deserves closer scrutiny. It is promoted as a platform bringing together former leaders, activists and thinkers to discuss the future of Malays.

But the real question is whether these discussions truly reflect the lives of ordinary Malays, or whether they mainly serve to reinforce the influence of leaders trying to preserve their political standing.

Too often, the conversation focuses on who governs rather than who is being helped. It is therefore not surprising that many Malays feel little benefit from struggles carried out in their name.

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Shared prosperity

What should matter most is shared prosperity. Poverty remains a major problem, regardless of race. Lack of education continues to trap families, even though access to schooling exists. The poor still make up a large part of the population and remain sidelined from development.

Many Malays, Indians, Chinese and bumiputera families in Sabah and Sarawak are still stuck in cycles of poverty. Conditions are unlikely to improve as the cost of basic goods keeps rising.

Malays face high rates of drug addiction, while Indians and Chinese often raise concerns about fair access to public sector jobs and equal economic opportunities.

Children from poor families, regardless of background, drop out of school early. This is not a problem of poor Malays, poor Indians or poor Chinese. It is a problem for poor Malaysians. They suffer quietly and are often forgotten amid loud identity-based politics.

So who is truly prepared to stand with the poor?

Many Malay leaders speak loudly about defending bumiputera rights, but their sincerity is often questioned. Some use these issues mainly for personal political gain. When the rakyat finally exercises their choice, this reality becomes clearer.

Not all leaders behave this way, and that must be acknowledged. But it cannot be denied that some are willing to do almost anything to secure positions, not just using money, but also shortcuts and superstition, driven by the desire for status.

Leadership becomes a path to comfort rather than a responsibility to serve.

History teaches us that internal division is one of the most dangerous threats to any nation. Great powers have fallen not because of external enemies, but because leaders failed to protect unity and justice from within.

When the Malay 153 Convention becomes just another stage for preserving power and influence, it means little to most Malays.

Enough of using identity as a shield. True struggle is not found in rhetoric, but in the courage to defend those who truly need help, regardless of background, for the sake of a fairer and more united future. - Mkini

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MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is a former Federal Territories Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional secretary. He is now a PKR member.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.