There is Dong Zong, there is Perkasa, there is a big divide

Not few people chided PM Najib's 'visit' to Dong Zong before the May general election although it was lauded by many who hoped Barisan Nasional would be able to lure more Chinese support for the ruling party.

However, Dong Zong remains a Dong Zong. We can't bank any hope that the government's good gesture would change their perception on 1Malaysia aspirants. No way for vernacular schools to be abolished to pave the way for 1Sekolah as proposed by some Malay organisations, a criteria that could bond Malaysians as one.

Since all 'the rights for Malays and non-Malays' are well stipulated under the Federal Constitution, nothing can change it.

It was only a few days ago when the Chinese educationist group said the increased teaching time for the Bahasa Malaysia language will cause 'serious damage' to vernacular education. It argued that the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025, to be implemented in 2014, is intended for the implementation of policies and measures for monolingual schools and racial assimilation.

"This will certainly have a detrimental impact on vernacular schools," Dong Zong said.
The blueprint said that the teaching time for Bahasa Malaysia, from Standard 4 to 6 in Chinese and Tamil primary schools, will be increased sharply from 150 minutes a week in 2002 to 570 minutes, including 300 minutes of extra tutoring in the language.
It also proposed that vernacular primary schools adopt the Primary School Standard Curriculum (Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah) or KSSR, which entails 270 minutes of formal teaching time.
On the proposal, Dong Zong said: "The KSSR curriculum implemented from 2011 to 2013 for the first phase (Standard 1 to 3) in vernacular primary schools has led to numerous problems and created a detrimental impact on the learning experience of students.
"Will the authorities continue with the implementation of the existing KSSR curriculum for Standard 4 to 6, or will there now be other arrangements?"
The education group warned the Education Ministry that a revision of textbooks, teaching methods and examinations for the national language was necessary to avoid various problems in schools.
"It is to establish a 'nation state', to realise the ultimate objective of 'one nation, one race, one culture, one language and one school stream'.

But they have their good points. Bahasa Malaysia is seen as a 'kacau daun' to their education system. As such, I believe we better leave it to them... and to our leaders.

Are they racist? I dont think so. Chauvinist? I leave it to the open forum. Just like the Malay NGO Perkasa, both are championing for their own race, Chinese and Malays.

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today reminded Perkasa to look into the mirror as to why it is scorned by the Malays (and hated by the non-Malays) even by the Malays it professes to defend.

While Perkasa's struggle to uphold Malay rights is in accordance with the Federal Constitution, its methods often overshadowed its noble intentions.

The veteran Umno leader also reminded Perkasa that the Federal Constitution recognised the rights of other races and that the preservation of Malay and Bumiputera privileges must not be pursued at the expense of racial unity.

“Unfortunately, Perkasa bears a negative connotation. It is described as ultra, racist and belittled even by the Malays, the very community that it claims to protect. 
“Perkasa is seen as a divider of unity. This perception is very negative. And even though its struggle may carry noble intentions, the negative perception overwhelms this,” Tengku Razaleigh, or affectionately known as Ku Li, said in his opening speech at the Perkasa congress.
But the former minister said he did not intend to dwell on the criticism, and instead urged Perkasa to “act based on facts and reason” for the benefit of the country.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, meanwhile said had it not for Perkasa's role, Barisan Nasional would have lost Putrajaya during the 13th general election.

(I am not that very convinced. Was Umno so weak at that particular time?)

Without Perkasa's help and support, Barisan Nasional would not have emerged victorious in the 13th general election, Datuk Ibrahim Ali said today.

"This is the truth, accept the facts. If not for Perkasa, Barisan Nasional would not have succeeded in regaining Perak," said the Perkasa president.
Speaking at the fourth Perkasa general assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Ibrahim said if Umno was weak and dispirited and could not continue fighting for Bumiputeras, it would be a ready replacement.
"Perkasa can take over the struggle. We can continue the fight for the rights of the Malays and Bumiputera," he said to cheers from the 1,000-strong audience.
"Perkasa boasts of more than 500,000 members nationwide, we have state and district divisions. Which other non-governmental organisation can boast such support?"
Ibrahim said Perkasa supported Umno in the 13th general election because the opposition was an unacceptable alternative.
 "We do not completely trust Pakatan Rakyat. Barisan Nasional, on the other hand, can give us guarantees about power sharing," Ibrahim said.

However, I do believe in Perkasa's capability in pursuing its Malay agenda. Just like Dong Zong, both have 'noble' role in helping their own race - Perkasa for the Malays, Dong Zong for the Chinese.

Regardless of how people, including the Malays and Chinese outside Perkasa and Dong Zong apprehend it, both organisations will never discount on anything, including to drop any of their demands that could open doors to national 'racial reconciliation'.

But then, some may point to Umno and MCA, the two political parties that represent most of the Malays and Chinese, that they should play the role to foster national unity.

Dong Zong and Perkasa have their own separate agendas but as long as it is not provocative to national unity, they deserve support. However, at this juncture, both have yet to proof that they also harbor the intention to work toward national unity by helping each other to embrace what Najib has been advocating - 1Malaysia.

Sincerity is important. I hope a mechanism must be established to promote racial integration. We may have hundreds of one-race organisations but there must a forum that could bring them together to discuss Malaysian agendas!