The Bogeyman Made By The Umno Elite

Written by  Iskandar Dzulkarnain

Coming across a recent news article, I read with amusement about the Malaysians of Siamese descent having trouble convincing the Civil Service that they were bona fide Bumiputras, and thus entitled to promotions and other special rights. Numbering 60,000 of them, they reside mostly in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

The Bumiputras are not just Malays, but also comprises Eurasians, and the minority East Malaysian Christian and Muslim Bumiputras.

The Orang Asli’s status has yet to be endorsed. Past complaints that they were sidelined because of the way they look, or due to their non-Malay sounding names, cultural differences and their inability to speak 'proper' Malay has always been highlighted through the years.

The rest of the 2nd class citizens look on in disinterest at this comical charade, and continue to move on with their lives.

Many are disgusted by the fact that equality can be bought. One has either to convert or remain in the passive category. Most non-Malays do not give a damn, and even mock the status-quo. How can a 2nd class citizen who drives a big car be compared to a first class citizen who rides a rickety bicycle?

Most of the older generation thinks it is of no concern, and many do not doubt their own superiority over the first class citizens in terms of wealth and assets.

But for growing children and the younger generation, it is a confusing and unhappy state of affairs.

Is It Really Better To Have Separate Classes Of Citizens

Our offspring are bewildered at such a sad fact. How do we expect non-Bumiputras to be patriotic and support 1Malaysia when one has to live with such a blatant disregard for basic human rights? It will make us look down on each other and sow the seeds of distrust and enmity.

USA had such a problem with slavery nearly 200 years ago. When they finally declared and admitted that the Blacks were equal citizens, only then did they manage to put the matter behind them, and USA went on to evolve into a mighty nation with a budding democracy.

The BN government however, thinks it is all right to have a separate class of citizens, with one class having special rights at the expense of others. Is it any different from modern day slavery or the caste system practised in India?

We should refrain from highlighting it at the expense of racial harmony and racial sensitivity, so the BN says. But what harmony is it talking about?

Today’s problems come about because of such unfair policies, with those having special privileges continuing to harp on and cry for more rights. When is it going to be enough? How long will this charade continue to last? Is it a wonder then why Malaysians from all walks of life have lost faith in the government?

Those without Special rights have managed to carve out a living for themselves without a complaint. Today, quite a number of them are well-to-do and have attained Middle Class status. Many of these No-Special-Rights-types also happen to contribute a large part of income tax to the country. Will Malaysia ever accord them a special thanksgiving for their contribution to the nation?

Many of those accorded Special Rights seem to be struggling to make ends meet. The poverty gap continues to widen, with many still in need of urgent aid. One wonders how with Special Rights and Privileges, the Bumiputras still have not attained developed status. What is taking them so long? What went wrong?

And to make matters worse, some of them like Perkasa and Pembela are demonstrating openly to affirm their Special Rights and to defend it from being taken away. But the thing is, no is challenging them. So their action is all the worse because they are actually rubbing it in, trying to stamp their so-called superiority onto the others. No wonder, they are disliked and even hated by the non-Malays.

With such a profound fear, reflective of an inferiority complex, that they are at risk of losing their Special rights, especially should the BN loses in the next election, they have resorted to ugly demonstrations that has interrupted the peace and harmony of this nation.

The Bogeyman made By The Umno Elite

Malaysians look on in astonishment and disbelief, that this nation can still be unable to contain this bogeyman of race and religion, even after 54 years of Independence. But how can we rid ourselves of this bogeyman if we continue to practise this sort of Politics of the Middle Ages.

Accusing Pakatan Rakyat of selling their rights and privileges if PR comes to power is not only absurd, but simply untrue. As far as PR is concerned, they should extend the same rights to every Malaysian Citizen in this country. Should that be disputed? Are the Bumiputras unwilling to share their Special Rights with the rest of their fellow citizens?

It is all a big farce with these unfair classifications. Until all this inequality is eradicated, Malaysia will not be able to achieve its full potential and it will be totally downhill for this nation. One day we will go beyond the point of no return and Malaysia will be like another Somalia.

In the past, Malaysia was a great nation with superb racial harmony and everyone had respect for each other. Everyone, irrespective of race could sit and eat together, make merry and laugh over everything under the sun.

Today, we are growing further apart, wary of each other, jealous and envious of each others' success. We have become a powder keg with a short fuse, ready to go off at the slightest provocation. The BN government still refuses to admit their hand in the mess and continues to take our racial harmony and peace for granted.

But the truth is, all the racial conflicts are simply non existent. It is a lie being fed to us daily in the mainstream media and by our leaders to frighten us into submission and to continue voting them in, so that they can continue to guarantee our protection against the bogeyman.

-  Malaysia Chronicle