The False Premise and Promise of Ketuanan Melayu
SEEING IT MY WAY
Malaysiakini.com July 5, 2006
The False Premise and Promise of Ketuanan Melayu
Editorial lead: The Malays have never learned or refused to learn what it would take to be Tuan. In this competitive world you work to be one; you must work to be one.
Malay leaders are again selling to their followers a bill of goods with the doctrine of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Hegemony). These leaders delude themselves and the masses into thinking that we Malays have been anointed “Tuan” (master) of Malaysia, with all the implied glories and privileges.
Both the premise and promise of Ketuanan Melayu are false. The sooner Malays grasp this stark reality, the better it is for us and for all Malaysians, as well as for the nation. In this competitive world you work to be a Tuan; you must earn it! In feudal societies, whether you are fated to be master or servant is determined at birth by your heritage. Malaysia has long passed that stage though many are still entrapped in the feudal mindset.
Yes, our sultans are born to be so. Perhaps that is where we acquire the belief that we too could be born Tuan purely based on our heritage.. False! Nowhere is it so written. Our sultans could easily be reduced to the status of the Sultan of Sulu, as has happened during the deprivation of World War II. It did not take long for our rajas to behave as ordinary mortals then, joining their fellow villagers in scrounging for food. There was nothing regal about your sultanah wrapped in a wet, cheap sarong panning for fish in the rivers, like all the other poor villagers.
If that could happen to our sultans in the past, it could happen again. And if it could happen to our sultans, it could happen to ordinary rakyats. The only sure path to spare us from such a fate is to ensure that we are competitive and can contribute our share.
De jure Tuan versus de facto Tuan
In our obsession to be Tuan we have never learned or refused to learn what it would take to be one. We convinced ourselves that we are Tuans simply through the operation of the law, a social contract agreed upon by our earlier leaders, or through the will of Allah.
While Malays fantasize being de jure (by operation of law) Tuan, non-Malays, through their hard work, have become de facto (as a matter of fact) Tuans in Malaysia. Outside of government offices, this is the harsh reality.
Through Ketuanan Melayu Malays are led to believe that the world would be at our beck and call. We use the constitution to confidently decree that our culture, language, and norms be supreme. When the world ignores our command, we become even shriller in impressing upon them our status as Tuan.
Increasingly, it is not just the greater world beyond that is ignoring us; our own little world is contemptuous of our status. Malay may be the national language, but Minister of Education Hishamuddin is inundated with applications from Malaysians wishing to enroll their children in international schools where the language is other than Malay. Hishamudin of course sends his daughter abroad. Rest assured they do not teach Malay there.
Malaysians may speak Malay but it is the debased (rojak) version. That is a reflection of utter contempt for the language, and not just by non-Malays. Malay may be the language of the land, but when I visit Malaysia I have difficulty finding books in Malay. Malay media capture only a tiny portion of the advertising dollar, again a reflection of the market’s valuation of the language. As for Malay schools, now elevated as “national schools,” even Malays are abandoning them.
More destructively, this collective delusion in our destiny to be Tuan encourages a variety of non-productive behaviors. We have leaders content only with endless speech making rather than bucking down to hard work; university vice chancellors who debase their titles with their singular lack of scholarly contributions; and civil servants who act as mini sultans (or Little Napoleons, in the Prime Minister’s words) of their departments. Executives of GLCs engage in nothing more than rent seeking behaviors, despite their hallowed titles as Chairman, CEO, and “Investment Banker.”
Such are the meaningless consequences of the empty promises of Ketuanan Melayu. It is a cruel hoax perpetrated upon our people by our very own leaders.
Be Competitive in Order to be Tuan
Ketuanan Melayu is premised upon false foundations. Tanah Melayu (Land of the Malays) or not, Malays are not ordained to be Tuan, in our own land or elsewhere. On the other hand, if Malays were competitive, rest assured that we would then be Tuans even in lands other than Tanah Melayu.
In my forthcoming book, Towards A Competitive Malaysia, I outlined a strategy for enhancing Malaysian, in particular Malay, competitiveness by focusing on four basic elements: leadership, people, culture, and geography. They make up my “Diamond of Development,” with each element forming one angle of the diamond. Each element is being influenced by and in turn influences the other three. When all four are favorable, they create a virtuous cycle, with each synergistically reinforcing the other three. Conversely when all elements are negative, there would be a rapid downward spiral.
Good citizens would insist on good leadership; and good leaders in turn invest in their people. Saddam Hussein would never have a chance being elected dogcatcher in America, and his sadism in turn has rubbed off on the Iraqis people.
Sophisticated leaders and citizens in turn would demand effective institutions (an element of culture). With good leadership and institutions, former poor fishing villages could become exclusive tourist resorts giving work to local citizens and boosting the nation’s economy, as we seen with Cancun, Mexico. With corrupt leaders and institutions, even sand could be made scarce in Saudi Arabia. Malaysia has over 100 inches of rain annually but its taps frequently run dry. Las Vegas, in the desert, sports swimming pools and fountains. Again, leadership and institutions make the difference.
Enhancing the quality of our people (human capital) require that they be healthy and be educated and trained. Health has less to do with expenditures on hospitals, doctors and modern medicine and more on such civil engineering marvels as central sewer and water treatment plants, affordable housing, and even availability of electricity (through better food refrigeration). Even education leads to better health, but a good education system is necessary for economic development. That the present system is wanting is obvious.
All these would be for naught if Malaysians were in conflict with one another. For any society, more so if it is a plural one, peace and harmony is a prerequisite for economic development. It is for this reason that I am alarmed at the increasing fragmentation of Malaysians and the deepening polarization among Malays.
The special privileges of the NEP should be used to enhance the competitiveness of Bumiputras, not to narcotize us with the delusion of Ketuanan Melayu. Before his “elegant silence,” Prime Minister Abdullah spoke bravely of the “The New Malay Dilemma,” of weaning Malays of the “special privilege” crutches. Characteristically, he recoiled at the first hint of resistance; he could not handle the keris-brandishing UMNO Youth leaders intent on having their regular special privileges “fix.”
We delude only ourselves if we think we can use the constitution, heritage, or some imagined social contract to make us Tuan. Malays have to disabuse ourselves of the false premise and promise of Ketuanan Melayu.
July 23rd, 2006 at 1:51 pm
[Comment: This posting is NOT by the usual Din Merican who is a regular commentar on this blog and a collaborator with me in "Exchanges with Din Merican." MBM]
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and ev’ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
“Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way”
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
Salams
July 23rd, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Lagi, lagi…Frank Sinatra!
July 24th, 2006 at 12:58 am
DBM,
Ketuanan Melayu is an old story I heard over and over again, first from my Atuk, who pass on the skills to my dad… if that was not enough Malay teachers in boarding school were singing the same tune…THIS IS OUR LAND, WE MUST PROTECT OUR LAND…funny coz most Malays in KL recently bought their houses from AH SENG and AH KOW Development anyway…
It is a dilemma, only education can wake us i.e the malays, from this sweet fantasy… Hishamuddin won’t care, clearly potrayed thru his bland expressionless face, as if there is some kind of equipment failure in the ‘genetics passing mechanism’, his father was ok..
And who are we to change all this, even the ever famous dictator is struggling to reach the public and only 1 out of 10 from my circle knows you DBM, what willl happen to the rest? Listen and follow, the thing you learn in Malay schools.
bro Din Merican,
Its far from the end for me,
the curtain is on its way up,
PLUS highway is the only one I familiar with,
So far , I did it the oldies way,
I know you did what you had to,
Was it for the majority or just for you and your circle,
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried too,
and cry, and cry, and cry….
I’m a man with two kids and a wife,
I took the blows, both
my way and the oldies way..
Wassalam
July 24th, 2006 at 2:29 am
Call it irony but I feel something is not right in our analogy. Dr. Bakri also came from a humble background, but now brimming with confidence taht he can hold his own ground. My parents were ordinary wage earners but I had somewhat made good. Let us assume that politicians, Ministers and the govt had bungled and we know only too well that they are nothing more than hypocrites, but how come people still believe them when they can alter the course of their fututre if they want to. Is it “stupidity” or “ignorance” that they deserve what they got. We believe that education may help to turn people around. That, too, seems hollow.
July 24th, 2006 at 3:36 am
alamak…!
you should know. it’s because of the MIC.
July 24th, 2006 at 4:54 am
Someone using my name. I do not need a song if I have ideas or views to express. Thanks. Din
July 24th, 2006 at 11:04 am
I love both the songs’ lyric! There just too much talent here. Would you all come back to lead Malaysia?
July 24th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Ok…I am on my way.
July 24th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Phnom Penh
Dear Friends,
There is nothing like being in one’s own country. But some time, by force of circumstances, some of us have to seek opportunities elsewhere. This is not easy because operating outside Malaysia requires a good grasp of the politics, history, culture and business practices of the host country. You also need to have contacts and associates who can help and guide you. All these things take time and lots of patience.
Malaysia is a great place, and I am proud to be a Malaysian, but an anak Malaysia who tries not to be oblivious of its strengths and weaknesses. Malaysia Boleh tetapi tak boleh semua!! So we have to focus on niche areas and commit ourselves to those niches where we can be a global player. Our country is not a perfect place, because utopias do not exist.
We can always be better than we are now if we are prepared to tap our diversity. The process of national integration where we all will have stakes in its success must continue. But the point Dr.Bakri is making his piece in order to do that is this: ” [T]he special privileges of the NEP should be used to enhance the competitiveness of Bumiputras, not to narcotize us with the delusion of Ketuanan Melayu”. If I am add, we should pursue a politics of inclusion, not one of exclusion.
Talking about utopia, Cambodia in the 1970s during the Khmer Rouge era (1975-1979) was an experiment in “agrarian utopia”, a costly one at that where millions lost their lives to starvation, disease and “autogenocide”. But that is behind Cambodians, I think and now they are enjoying a period of peace and stability (since 1998).
Policies are in place to attract foreign investment and domestic capital for economic development, initially in the agricultural and agro-business, light manufacturing and tourism sectors. They are also well poised to exploit opportunities when ASEAN economic integration becomes a reality.
A lot remains to be done there in terms of building basic infrastructure (water, electricity, roads, healthcare) and developing human capital, the essentials we Malaysians take for granted. But I am optimistic that Cambodia will be a booming place in the years to come, given the climate of peace and stability they now enjoy. In fact, the Indochinese states (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) will prosper as China continues to grow.
Thanks.
July 24th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Correction : “If I am to add, we should pursue a politics of inclusion, not one of exclusion”. Maaf.
July 24th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
The NEP is akin to a prostitute declaring that her earnings cannot be taxed because the source of thos earnings is illegal. With an illegal construct, how the govt had gone this far duping us is “call their luck”.
I am in full support of affirmative action, irrescpective or race and religion. I am yet to reconcile the fact that how Islam can be claimed to be a tolerant and humane religion when all what is done in its name points to almost adversarial effects. Am I supposed to pretend and say that it does not drive fear in me after witnessing what is going on this country.
Barely two days after Dr. Bakri’s article on the ketuanan Melayu issue, there is news report (please see RPK) where the Domestic Trade and Industry Ministry had come out with some dubious “plans”.
I am worried, and rightly so, that if moderates voices are drowned by these extremist views and attitudes, then it may lend credence to extremist views, too on the other side(s). I just hope it wil not come to this one day, where we all have to pay a price for ignoring the ground reality.
July 25th, 2006 at 12:17 am
Fair Malaysian,
Are these extremist views based on extremist religious interpretations, or on a re-emergent Malay nationalism? They could be both since one can feed into the other in a mutually reinforcing way to inform political discourse today.
I feel Malay nationalism is of itself not bad since it has to do with pride in one’s identity and culture, and hence the need to preserve it as the foundation for the progress of Malay society. It could be the glue that we the Malays need to be “competitive, economically viable and politically vibrant”. But when it is blinded by religious fervour, Malay nationalism can a potent and disruptive force in our pluralistic and culturally diverse culture.
If you accept my thesis that Malay nationalism per se is not harmful, in stead it is a vital ingrediant for a confident Malay polity, then it may be possible to see what should be done in the area of Islamic reform. Some time ago I read a book given to me to my intellectual journeyman, Dr. Bakri Musa, the orginator and the host of this useful webblog.
The book is by Naim, a Sudanese scholar of law and jurisprudence based in the US and an admirer of the reformist Hassan Turabi (executed by Sudan’s El-Nimmery). In it, Naim argued that any Islamic reform with respect to governance, woman rights, constitutionalism, and human rights must be based on the Holy Qur’an and Sunna. There is no disagreement on this, I think.
But Naim also said the Holy Qur’an is made up of the Mecca Revelations and the Sunna of the period (Phase 1) and the Medina Revelations and the Sunna of that latter period (Phase 2). Phase 1 was more “tolerant” and “liberal” since the Divine revelations and the Sunna promoted the principle of “no complusion in religion” and the spread of Islam by persuasion and example. There was no Islamic community as such to speak of then.
Phase 2 in Medina, on the other hand, were more stringent as an Islamic community was being formed. As Islam was under threat from its enemies, these revelations dealt with the use of force, and code of laws in its defence and society. According to Naim, they could be justified by circumstances of the time. The Medinian state model came into existence and the revelations and the Sunna of that period (Phase 2) formed the basis of the Sharia (Islamic Law) were refined under the 4 Caliphs of Islam (Abu Bakri, Othman, Omar and Ali) and their successors.
Many things happened in between until after the 14th century (?) when “ijitihad” and “ijima” were no longer allowed. As a result, the Medina revelations and the Sunna which, according to Naim, were intended for that early period of a nascent Islamic “state” were entrenched while the Meccan revelations and the Sunna which were intended for “posterity” were sidelined, or less frequently used.
Naim argued in support of Hassan Turabi’s reformist agenda that it is perhaps time to revisit the Meccan revelations and the Sunna and use them as the basis of Islamic reform of the 21st century. He is probably advocating a kind of “Civilizational Islam” akin to our Prime Minister’s Islam Hadhari which is progressive, peaceful and tolerant. Of course, I am speculating here and I am not sure since I am not an Islamic scholar.
But if Islam Hadhari embodies the spirit of the Mecca revelations and the Sunna of that period (Phase 1) which is intended for posterity, I believe our Prime Minister could be on to something which is going to be key to peace, tolerance and harmony for pluralistic Malaysia in the future. The 10 principles of Islam Hadhari are, therefore, worth looking at in greater detail as part of the rationalist tradition of Islam, despite the politics. They should not be viewed as another brand of Islam (masahab).
In the light of my argument above, Malay nationalism is not strictly a bad thing since it seeks to mobilise the Malays towards a better future. But like you, I would agree that religious extermist ideology, be it Islamic or others, is not good for our country.
Thanks
July 25th, 2006 at 12:26 am
Correction: “The Medinian state model came into existence and the revelations and the Sunna of that period (Phase 2) which formed the basis of the Sharia (Islamic Law) were refined under the 4 Caliphs of Islam (Abu Bakri, Othman, Omar and Ali) and their successors”. Maaf.
July 25th, 2006 at 12:58 am
Read as “Abu Bakr”, not “Abu Bakri”, a freudian slip there!
July 25th, 2006 at 12:59 am
Read as “Abu Bakr”, not “Abu Bakri”, a freudian slip there!
July 25th, 2006 at 4:50 am
Bro Din:
Choice or fate brought us all together and we stood as Malaysians on nationalism. I would not decry the nationalistic instincts of any race. The Malay nationalists of the independence era stood tall and proud, and the other races proudly stood behind Tunku to achieve what others could not even imagine.
Look at the scenario. Talk to any non-malay and they tell blatantly that the PM is not their PM but that of the Malays. Perhaps, it will be “show” but the time-bomb is ticking away. Everything today is about race and religion. There have been umpteen chances given to the Malays to stand up but if they refuse to stand up, it gives the impression that they never had the intention to stand up. It is not one MP but we are standing in the midst of the 9MP and each time it will be excuses, excuses and excuses. They find tons of reasons to justify its continuance. Now, govt money is being spent to create a land/property bank for Malays. If it is done for the deserving Malaysians, irrespective of race and religion, believe me, no one can stand against it. But why only Malays? And from the govt money? If it is going to poor Malays, do you honestly believe that anyone is going to kick a fuss? Why not dismantle the race barrier and treat all as Malaysians. I have never thought of Anwar on my cards but if he is saying that he is going to do away with this utterly cynical and dehumanising treatment, then my friends and I for him. That the trust we placed on these BN politicians - many of us believe we have come to the end of the road. Just wanting to be treated as equal Malaysians - is that too much too ask? I was born in this country and have brought up my children as Malaysians - where can we go? May we had the patience to tolerate all this nonsense but I don’t think so the younger generation will, as I see in my own boys as their frustration and anger turns into hate. When are we going to give up racial politics and proudly claim as Malaysians? May be some external force comes and colonises us again. Am I wrong to cherish this dream?
July 25th, 2006 at 5:34 am
Don’t worry, the Malays will soon realise that the current type of nationalism is merely an illusion- i.e. one group of elites who speaks on behalf of a generally compliant masses. This is what you may call feudalistic nationalism.
There will be a new breed of thinking that would replace such nationalistic fervour: where the individual wants more say…. more for him or her rather than more for the ethnic group. If now the slogan is lets do it for the Malays… in the future I dare say… the slogan will be what’s in it for me! That is the consumerism that have been making inroads into the Malaysian society…..
This thinking will be prevalent with the increasing impotence of govt i.e. the rising costs of living and the increasing awareness of the general population o thier rights (this one ironically is attributed to the democratisation of education which strangely many in this blog love to condemn as ineffectual or ineffective or what ever expletive folks like to throw out).
But some times I think, with the greater awareness of the Malays and the increasing participation of all Malaysians in internet forums, things could turn for the worse. I mean, surely many of the Malays would be angry with the beratings and condescending attitudes of non-Malays who insist on the demolition of Malay rights…. and of course the current villification of all things Islamic by non Malays and a minority of the so called Modern Malays will make things worse…. and of course the non-Malays insist that they are right in saying the NEP is “robbing” them…nevermind that empirical evidence is not conclusive.
But, I think one should not think too much of the future…… I could still remember back in the early 80s when I was in school, people are talking about Vietnam invasion (Vietnam after all defeated a Chinese invasion in 79)…. and nuclear war (remember Ronald Reagan?)…. but those things never happened….
So I suppose we should not worry too much…. just make sure we get enough exercise and have a balanced diet!
July 25th, 2006 at 5:39 am
“I was born in this country and have brought up my children as Malaysians - where can we go? ‘
India?
July 25th, 2006 at 6:46 am
Wanekam:
Well you can run and hide in India but I am not going anywhere and why should I? Perhaps, I can be a “thorn in your flesh” for all you may know. Cheers.
July 25th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
July 25, 2006 16:10 PM
Mainstream Media Need Not Ape Websites, Bloggers - PM
Dedicated to DBM … talking from far is real easy … come over and walk your talk …..PEACE TO ALL….
I have deleted the Bernama posting because of possible copyright issues.Bakri Musa
July 25th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
Johnny Staying:
Pak Dolah is talking rubbish when he derided websites and bloggers. The recent UPM fracas, the topless-woman squat while in police custody, the Terenze Gomez saga, the MAS affair being played out now, the UK sports facility and several more would not have been revealed through mainstream news because these are being controlled. These became public knowledge thanks to the Inernet news sites and blogs. If Pak Lah means what he talks, just remove the Printing Press Act.
Of course, there is also rubbish being published on the internet at tmes, but we have sufficient maturity to handle that. And also the internet had not impacted everyone as yet.
After all, even Dr. Mahatir had to seek to the alternative internet news to air his views. Believe me, it will be wishful thinking and Pak Lah and the like will pay dearly if they continue to hold that belief as many of us believe that the next election or the one after that will be influenced predominantly by the internet. Mark my word. The psycological propaganda that this country revels at is past its age for two reasons. The fairly educated populace as opposed to the then illiterate and that it has no monopoly on news and information anymore.
July 25th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Fair Malaysian,
It is not exactly accurate to say that “choice or fate brought us all together”. The British did it by their “divide and rule” colonial policy, which is based on the simple premise that ‘the sun never sets on the British Empire”; so the Indians were sent to the rubber plantations, the Chinese became back breaking labour for the tin mines, and the Malays remained rural tenant farmers with the Malay aristocracy and elite as a separate class above the rest of us. It was not by choice certainly, but more by British design.
I am also not sure about fate, maybe economics (meaning better opportunities for both the Indians and the Chinese compared to what could be had in their respective homelands). It was more out of necessity.
It took the conviction, courage and the efforts of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Tan Chang Lock and his son, Tun Tan Siew Sin and Tun Sambanthan and their colleagues to convince the British that we could work together to build a united Malaya/Malaysia (after 1963), which can accommodate the interests of all the races.
Our nation was, therefore, built on the basis of a series of compromises between conflicting interests resulting in the “Merdeka Bargain” which was incorporated in the Constitution. It was Tun Tan Cheng Lock who argued that the Malays needed to be assisted because of their economic disadvantage compared to the Chinese and the Indians.
After 1957, we are together by choice based on certain expectations as embodied in that bargain. We became Malaysians by law, but our racial and cultural identities remained intact. Even our politics is still communal, and it is not likely to change in the foreseeable future. It is wishful thinking to say that diversity will disappear. It is more realistic for us to manage it as a strategic advantage.
The May 13, 1969 tragedy transformed our political and economic landscape. National Unity was uppermost in the minds of Tun Abdul Razak and his colleagues in the National Operations Council (NOC). The NEP was formulated, which legitimized state interventionism to eliminate the identification of race with economic function, and create conditions for the Malays to earn 30% share in our expanding economic cake via the creation of a Bumiputra Industrial and Commercial Group (Refer to Mid-Term Review of the 2MP and subsequent MPs).
SEDCs (State Development Corporations) and institutions like PERNAS, MARA and Bank Bumiputra were used for this purpose. A number of British companies like London Tin (later called Malaysia Mining Corporation), Sime Darby and Guthries, among others, were acquired by Pernas through its vehicle, Tradewinds. When he took over in 1981, Tun Dr. Mahathir introduced the Heavy Industries Programme with the creation of HICOM, the Look East Policy, and Malaysia Incorporated. Statist industrial policies were put in place and implemented with vigor.
After the recession of 1985-86, the Mahathir Government, however, rolled back the role of state/government in favour of the private sector through accelerated privatisation. This policy was successful up to a point. The economy recovered quickly. There was also a flipside. Critics argued that the privatization policy led to private monopolies which favoured UMNO cronies and friends.
While all this was going, Anwar Ibrahim, the Islamist, joined the Government. Inspired by the success of the Iranian Revolution, Anwar with the approval of the Tun and his Cabinet, introduced Islamic values in public administration. I think, this was the start of the “Arabization” of the Malays and the Islamic state idea, all intended to upstage PAS which had gained considerable political influence ( it peaked in the late 1990s).
Developments in the 1990s are quite familiar to all of you. We had the most severe crisis in 1997-98 which also led to the removal of Anwar from the BN and UMNO and his sojourn in Sungei Buloh. But the process of inculcating Islamic values continues under the present Administration. Let us hope with Islam Hadhari, it will be less virulent and disruptive.
The Malays became quite obsessed with being Islamic Malays, than being Malaysian. They became more isolated from the rest of Malaysian polity. The level of intolerance has since risen drastically: now, look at the UPM affair,the Inter-Faith Conference in Johore Bharu and calls for no more kongsi raya. The rest of our citizens are reacting to it, and by so doing so, further upping the stakes.
Every time there is a slowdown of the economy, issues which remain buried in the euphoria of the good times tend to resurface, as it now. This leads me to believe that the Merdeka Bargain remains unresolved.
Today, as reflected in the views expressed in this and other blogs, we have a crisis of sorts, and the flames of utlra-Malay nationalism, racial intolerance and religious exclusion are resurfacing.
So, Super-Amit, what you say makes sense to me, and allow me to quote you:
“…surely many of the Malays would be angry with the beratings and condescending attitudes of non-Malays who insist on the demolition of Malay rights…. and of course the current vilification of all things Islamic by non Malays ,and a minority of the so called Modern Malays will make things worse…. and of course the non-Malays insist that they are right in saying the NEP is “robbing” them…never mind that empirical evidence is not conclusive”.
Temperatures are high as the “other side” too is enraged. We need to call a time out to pause and reflect.
Thanks.
July 25th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
“…I have deleted the Bernama posting because of possible copyright issues.Bakri Musa…”
Ahaks ….I do not claim that the report as my own. All knew it’s from Bernama. Furthermore ..out there ..don’t think Malaysia law will extent that far..furthermore that very piece was posted all over by bloggers here in Malaysia. . Who are you kidding? ..Ahaks… one more time.
July 26th, 2006 at 3:56 am
What’s so weird about Ketuanan Melayu …..every nation have their own version of “ketuanan”. In Singapore it’s “ketuanan China” …in Iraq …still fighting one another to decide who will be the TUAN … in the world …America is the TUAN …in the middle est ..Israel wanted to be the “TUAN”…. and still fighting the Palestine to be the Tuan…..in Australian ..the White is the TUAN at the expense of the aborigines …and the list is too long …..so what is weird about it …. and in Penang ..the Chinese would love to be the TUAN eventually ..especially if the Malays allow them to. Just because you live in the USA …do forget about your roots …. you think you can be the TUAN here in the USA. Been in the US ..live there for a while … true that it’s a free country but the color of your skin is still what matters!
July 26th, 2006 at 4:00 am
amit is that you??
July 26th, 2006 at 4:02 am
i know a girl from trengganu whose name is tuan ramlah - no joke
that’s another tuan. this one has big boobs
July 26th, 2006 at 11:24 am
Sammy:
That is the difference between “growing-up” and a “grown-up”. In a country like India, despite many of their shortcomings, a tamil-muslim is the president and a sikh is the prime-minister, both from minority groups. Perhaps, they all think of themselves as Indians.
In Malaysia, it is always convenient to keep the masses stupid and ignorant as long as it serves a purpose.
July 26th, 2006 at 11:44 am
Fair Malaysian, “In a country like India, despite many of their shortcomings, a tamil-muslim is the president and a sikh is the prime-minister, both from minority groups. Perhaps, they all think of themselves as Indians. ”
no, you gotta it wrong!
the sikh says to the indian muslim, “hey, kichi you go first kichi. saya belakang kira.”
July 26th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Hi Wanekam:
So, you are an expert in this “belakang kira” business.
August 6th, 2006 at 7:59 am
Ketuanan Melayu is a crap that is utilised by politician during the election time.After the election the speaker decided to be the Tuan himself and forget the rest.THe case in point was noted historical figure in Perak called Dato’ Maharaja Lela who instigated the killing of Birch ‘the last white man to bath naked by the Sg Perak’ title…Stories told to the younger generation is such that he was a nationalist who fought against British ,whose selfless contribution to the fight of independence.I suspect the politician through the ages never change …He was upset because British stopped him from collecting toll on Sg Perak trade route….this is much like SammyV getting upset to no end when somebody suggested that the toll booth north of Ipoh stopped…as the history rememberd he plotted for the killing ,but my understanding in current economic is much like A Politician who had religiously collecting his income fr a mega project been told that the project is no longer his…..then much like DMLela he will scream ketuanan Melayu to gather support…malay being feudalistic and loyal would fight to death for this sort of leader….this writer a white caucasian malay with hollywood experience decided to be bystander…sorry DMLela