Should the non-Malays just give up?

The message to the non-Malays from the victory of the "back door" government has been loud and clear - your votes don’t really count, your politicians are a “threat” to a certain race/religion and your concerns don’t matter.

This makes us non-Malays feel like second-class citizens. Some are saying, the system is so hopeless la ... [why should we vote again?] Maybe we should pack our bags and get ready to migrate? Or at least, move our money overseas?

But hold on, it’s not that bleak. There was no panic buying of rice and instant noodles - non-Malays still went out to shop and eat. If anything, they were more afraid of Covid-19 than another May 13.

One side is still a genuine multi-racial coalition even more committed to the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, after the "frogs" from PPBM (Parti Pintu Belakang Malaysia) and the political sodomists from PKR have left.

Still, I guess some of us “nons” may feel, why bother trying to make this country better? Let those with racial mindsets create their "Pengkhianat Nasional" government. Let them embrace all their corrupt leaders again; let Felda and Tabung Haji go bust again. Let billions be plundered again from another 1MDB, why should we care?

In other words, let “them”, the racially prejudiced folks, destroy “their” country. Or as the Cantonese phrase goes, “mou ngan tai” (“no eye see” or “can’t be bothered to look”).

It's tiring to be constantly told by some racist politicians (whom analysts believe will win even if elections are called now) that this is Tanah Melayu and we are just pendatang who don't really belong here. Ok la, you want to be “so like dat”, then we just focus on our own selfish concerns of making money. Or migrating.

But hang on again. Retreating into our own bunkers may be a natural reaction to being racially attacked but we non-Malays are not as immune as we think. Nonsense from politicians does affect us since a falling ringgit means more expensive education/trips overseas and food imports. And if Malaysia does go bankrupt, whole sectors of the economy will suffer, along with our businesses.

It’s easy to just lash out of frustration at the kopitiam or pub that “all politicians are useless la”, give up all hope of reform, and then sink into a pool of powerless cynicism.

But maybe we should also remember the sincere leaders like Hannah Yeoh and Teo Nie Ching who quit their careers and sacrificed their time/effort to join the then opposition (before 2008) when there were no guarantees of victory/positions, only of teargas, court cases and tiresome visits to the balai (police stations).

It’s always said that politics is dirty and that’s why we need good people to go in and push for change. If we can’t enter politics ourselves, shouldn’t we at least support those who are trying to improve things?

All Malaysians, regardless of race, are worried about the killing of police reform, more repression/harassment of any opposition and the return of big-time corruption.

For we non-Malays (and moderate Malays too), there is extra anxiety about racialisation, Islamisation and lifestyle restrictions. What will happen to pubs, night clubs and massage outlets? Will public whipping (or even chopping off of arms and legs) become a sort of perverse “tourist attraction” for Visit Malaysia Year 2020?

After all, the deeper the rot goes inside - backstabbing of political allies, betrayal of voters and corruption concerns - the greater the need to appear “clean” and “holy” outside.

This is why the stakes are even higher now. Many of us don’t have the means to migrate, so we had better think of ways to make this country a better place for our children, if nobody else. Even those who can migrate should ask: what about their friends and family who remain here?

While the latest battle may have been lost, the war continues, and it's still a close fight. 114 vs 110?

But beyond politicians, there are so many other ways we can make a difference, be it in residents associations, NGO's or volunteer groups. We can still say constructive things at the kopitiam or online. Remember, change always starts from the mind.

At the very least, we can still vote. We never imagined that the almighty Barisan Nasional would be overthrown but it happened. And this "Pengkhianat Nasional" government is far more fragile.

For the non-Malays, this is not the time to give up, to lie down and surrender this country to the crooks and bullies just because they have been more devious or have a louder voice.

We are still citizens and this country also belongs to us. We should keep pushing for a better Malaysia.

In the words of Bob Marley, "Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight."

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ANDREW SIA is a veteran journalist and editor who prefers teh tarik kau over tepid English tea. You can add milk, sugar and halia to his drink at tehtarik@gmail.com. - Mkini