CONVERT AND YOU ARE A BUMIPUTRA

In this country, there are two classes of people. The Bumiputra (loosely defined as the indigenous) and the Non-Bumiputra (other than the indigenous, obviously). The Non-Bumiputra are always complaining about the inequality and constantly perceived themselves as being inferior to the Bumiputra. Yet, with just a few paper works and some utterances, a Non-Bumiputra can be transformed into a Bumiputra and enjoy all the privileges that comes with it.

In fact I wonder why they do not convert en masse ...

Bumiputras means people who are seen as the original population of Malaysia. This should foremost include the native tribes in Peninsular, the Kadazan, Iban, Penan and multitude others in Sabah and Sarawak. They have settled and toiled their respective lands probably for thousands (if not millions) of years. The Malay who came to Peninsular less than a thousand years ago are also included in the group. However due to their unique circumstances, one being clever enough to institute a form of government, a kingdom (called Sultan), we have now the Malay as the supreme group of people (as proclaimed by PERKASA and UMNO) in Malaysia. And much later, constitution was drawn to effectively declare that all Malay is Islam and all Islam in Malaysia is Malay.

The Non-Bumiputra are all the recent migrants to Malaysia. Recent means somewhere after all the Malay arrived in Peninsular. Excluding the Baba and Nyonya and the Portuguese descendants in Malacca, most of them arrived during the reign of British in Malaya (within the last 200 - 300 years ago). The Non-Bumiputra are the legitimate citizens of Malaysia. However, they have not been accorded the same privilege as the Malay do. So, there are some inequality in various aspect of life. Of course, where there are inequality, there are also discrimination. To this day, this issue has been the torn in Malaysian political scenario.

Within the Bumiputra, we have the 'most Bumiputra of all', that is the Malay. The Malay enjoys the highest privilege of all. Right from birth, a Malay will be known by his or her unique name (no Tom Dick and Harry will be accepted, literally). This name will tell the people around him/her to silently bestow respect and salutation. In school, he/she will be having the least hassles with securing scholarship and various incentives. At the slightest spark of brightness, they will be sent to prestigious schools and institutions here in Malaysia and abroad.

In securing job, they will have a preferential in government services. Once working, the promotion will be generously given to them, by-passing the much senior 'others'. In setting up business, assistance is abound, loan is offered (granted, rather), licenses are promptly approved and like it or not, minor faults will be conveniently overlooked.

Those who (despite all the assistance from the government) failed in the education system and landed themselves in farming, rubber tapping or fishery 'industries', will enjoy lots of benefits still. Various incentives will be given, they are paid for every sweat they produce to toil the land (called subsidy). They can purchase seeds, fertilizers, fuels, equipments at a discounted price (or secure a loan to buy heavy machineries). They can sell their produces at a stable (if not higher than market) price. If nature calamities destroy their crops, they will be generously compensated. If nobody else wanted to buy their crops, the government will be more than happy to purchase. Even if they decided not to toil their last chunk of land, the government will be happy to develop the land and ask the 'other' to toil it for them.

And if they ever decide to not work at all, they can always join the elite Malay, the top of the cream, The UMNO, become a politicians and a 'slumdog millionaire' almost instantly.

Do not forget, the constitution say, Islam is Malay and Malay is Islam. So all the description above applied to Islam (instead of Malay) if you prefer to look at it from that angle.

I myself enjoyed the status of Bumiputra, although not the 'Malay' privilege. In other words, I am the second class Bumiputra. Yes you read it right. Even among the Bumiputra, there are first class and second class. God forbids the creation of a third class. I guess, even among the Malay, there is a second class of Malay (this is probably the non UMNO Malay).

Looking at all the privileges the Malay enjoyed, one should wonder why don't we all become a Malay. After all, every Malaysian is welcomed to do it. Yes, everyone can become a Malay. The Malaysian constitution guarantee it. Why don't we? Do we want to forever be a second class citizen? why not take that opportunity and transformed ourselves. After all, in ancient times, people were flocking to become Roman citizens, and even now people are dying to migrate and become US citizens. Closer to home, many foreigners are already converted themselves to Malay and by-passed us in the unseen hierarchy of society. What are we waiting for? The second class or the opportunist. Your choice.

In fact I wonder why don't we convert en masse ...

Is there something really good about being a second class? Either that or there must be something seriously wrong in the other side.

Courtesy of Rizzku