Labour activist: Malaysia held back by racist political ideologies

 

Social Protection Contributor Advisory Association Malaysia (SPCAAM) international labour adviser Callistus Antony D'Angelus has warned that Malaysian politicians will continue to hold the country back if allowed to continue spreading racist ideologies.

He said in a statement last night that Malaysia had not lived up to its potential since independence in 1957 because the country had permitted its divisions to foster.

"We ought to have been the powerhouse in Southeast Asia, with an educated population that could serve as the central point for foreign trade and investment.

"What has happened though is that politics in Malaysia assumed the legacy and Machiavellian instincts of the colonialists. The divisions based on race and religion have not only been maintained but deepened for political convenience.

"The protagonist-in-chief, who can count himself as the father of Malaysia’s division, is two-time prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad," said D'Angelus (above), in a reference to the former premier’s recent questions about the loyalty of Malaysian Indians.

Trail of destruction

The labour adviser added that Mahathir ascended to Malaysia’s highest office through propagating misguided and mischievous accounts of race and religious dynamics, eugenics, and constantly altering the events of history.

"His latest diatribe which involved comments about Chinese and Indians and their place as Malaysians is another attempt to leave a trail of destruction.

"To stay in power and then keep himself in public view, he throws up theories of race which are capitalised on by politicians who are equally opportunistic and who, like him, do not care for the progress of Malaysians or Malaysia.

"That a multi-racial and multi-religious country with a large proportion of minorities, probably more than most countries in the world, would throw up conflagrations from time to time must be expected," said D'Angelus.

The country, he said, could have worked through these issues and come out stronger had the divisions not been institutionalized and entrenched by the likes of Mahathir.

"Malaysia could have found her way and formula to thrive on its diversity, which it did not.

"The divisions sown have not brought any benefit to Malaysia or Malaysians, of all ilk and persuasions.

"As hard and as politically inconvenient as it may be, the leaders of the country today have to focus on what matters - economic and social progress.

"We live in times where every nation has to find its competitive niche and to paraphrase a former US president, the politicians of today should look for what they can do for Malaysia and Malaysians and not for what they can secure for themselves," he said, referencing the late John Fitzgerald Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963. - Mkini