‘Excuse Me Officer, We’re Bumiputeras’

Hawkeye

Malaysians of Siamese descent are having a tough time convincing civil servants that they have bumiputera status.

KANGAR: While the cabinet rolls out various policies under the “1Malaysia” concept, bureaucracy continues to reign its ugly head in the civil service.

One such example is the status of Malaysians of Siamese descent who after three decades, continue to clarify to the public sector that they are actually bumiputeras by definition.

Only about 60,000 strong, the community predominantly resides in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan.

Most lead an agrarian lifestyle but the younger generation has started to serve in the police force, military, civil service and some in tourism while a handful have become successful entrepreneurs.

Despite their impressive forays into the civil service, it is the same sector which discriminates them.

Due to the current intense political climate, politicians from both sides have began reaching out to them, as their votes are considered important in rural constituencies.

Umno has also amended its constitution to admit Malaysians of Siamese descent as members, and some have played a leading role such as the Malaysia-Thai Association Perlis branch chairman Siw Chun Eam.

A former Dewan Negara Senator, the Arau Umno division member, is leading a tireless effort to champion the plight of the community.

Muhyiddin: Don’t Discriminate

When Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin came calling on Thursday, Siw Chun made sure he got the message.

Expressing gratitude to the government for various incentives and monetary aid, Siw Chun however lamented that many public officers continue to disregard the community’s status as bumiputeras.

“We have a tough time clarifying and dealing with the federal government departments over our status. It is as if the downline of the civil service is not responsive enough, What is said at the top, is not practised at the bottom,” she said.

She then spoke about the plight of several children who are stateless, as the national registration department cannot issue birth certificates since one of their parents is born in Thailand.

These children cannot enrol in government schools and are schooled in isolation at the community’s Siamese wats (temple), she claimed.

“One of their parents is born in (neighbouring) Thailand so it complicates matters. Their Thai-born parents are also facing difficulty in obtaining the permanent resident status,” she added.

She also complained that Thailand-based Buddhist monks are not allowed to enter the country at times although they have valid travel documents.

“Such monks whoe are needed to teach the children the Siamese language and religious observances, are told by our immigration authorities to wait and some are forced to stay overnight at the border townships before they can enter. Some stayed on for three nights before allowed in while some go back home in frustration. Is there such a regulation?” she asked.

Muhyiddin responded by urging all government departments not to practice discrimination against any community. “Under 1Malaysia, everybody is treated equally and without bias,” he said.

-- FMT