Key to change lies with the Malays

Khalid Samad, the communications director for Amanah, is someone who also knows a thing or two about politics, or to be more specific, about playing politics.

On July 25, when he claimed that Umno was the best among the three Malay political parties in Malaysia, he raised many eyebrows because a few months earlier, he had been extremely critical of Umno.

He said that like Pakatan Harapan, Umno shared the same ideals when it came to politics, which is to solve issues affecting the rakyat. Really? All throughout, we thought Umno existed only for the survival of its leaders.

Khalid’s U-turn was most disconcerting; but then again, perhaps we shouldn't worry too much. Wasn’t he merely playing politics?

Amanah communications director Khalid Samad

Today, members of the political parties are full of praise for their coalition partners in an enforced political camaraderie. We’re in the last lap leading up to the six state elections.

But what does Umno represent?

The Umno of today is actually Umno Baru, which was founded in 1988 from the ashes of the old original Umno. An internal matter of vote-rigging caused Umno to be declared an illegal party.

Umno Baru under Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership was a threat to the national security of multicultural Malaysia. Some would claim that Anwar Ibrahim rescued Umno Baru and gave it a new lease of life, by making it a part of his unity government.

To be blunt, Umno Baru is not a political party. It functions more like a business, and under former leaders, it was run like a family business.

Umno Baru is also like the grandmother of all GLCs, with its access to unlimited funds and branches all over the world.

Unlike public listed companies, Umno Baru shareholders (its supporters) and the consumers of this enterprise (the rakyat) have little say.

Money speeds up decision-making, as in the infamous Perak coup of 2009 and in GE13.

Actually, the true purpose of Umno Baru is to prolong the political life of its leaders. With political power comes the ability to squander the wealth of the nation. It was true then, and why not now?

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad

The irony is that Mahathir was considered by many Malays to be Malay enough to lead the nation, but sadly, progressive Malays who try to do things in the interest of all Malaysians are not considered Malay enough.

‘Malays and Islam need protection, defending’

These two myths have long been peddled by Umno Baru (and PAS, PN, Bersatu), but the effect has been to belittle the Malays and demonise the religion.

Few Malays ever ask Umno Baru, “Why do we need protection? From whom or from what?”

If for any reason Malaysia ceased to exist, the Malays would still survive but the race-based parties, including Umno Baru would be defunct.

If these parties were to fold tomorrow, Malaysia would thrive and the Malays would flourish.

The most valuable resource of Malaysia is its people. The country would not be where it is today if not for the collective efforts and sacrifice of everyone, including the non-Malays, who helped build the economy despite the affirmative action policies, and every Malayan/Malaysian who risked their lives in the two World Wars, the Emergency and the Confrontation.

Islam is not just a religion. Politicians use it as a tool to divide the nation, to silence dissent and to control the Malays.

It can be argued that Muslims are the most oppressed in Malaysia. Everything they do or say is under scrutiny. Even scholars and if you recall, the octogenarian, Kassim Ahmad, were treated shabbily. Books and films are banned to stop Muslims from expanding their knowledge.

How often have Muslims told the non-Muslims to “stop meddling in our religion, we don’t meddle in yours”? These Muslims forget that children have been kidnapped and bodies snatched in conversion cases. Bibles have been confiscated, insults hurled at non-Muslims and their places of worship have been demolished.

Name one Islamic country which has become completely crime-free and rape-free, after the implementation of hudud. How is corruption punished under hudud?

As always, some conservative Muslims will say to progressive Muslims, “You are not a true Muslim,” and terminate the discussion after warning, “Have you prepared your answers for when Allah questions you at Padang Mahsyar?” (The Day of Judgement)

Despite 53 years of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and various other affirmative action policies, the majority of Malays remain very poor and lag behind in education. They also lack confidence, lack English-speaking skills and struggle to find employment in the private sector.

Malay race-based parties deceive Malays by blaming the non-Malays for their failures. Ordinary Malays are prevented from achieving their true potential, and because of decades of conditioning by Umno-Baru, Malays are now averse to change.

Will Malays muster the courage to confront their leaders and make them accountable for their wrongdoings?

The key to progress and a progressive Malaysia lies with the Malays, but until they alter their mindset and attitudes, nothing will change. - Mkini