Let’s take a look at some Malaysiakini headlines:
‘Arrest Khairy under ISA’ (here I concur with Pak Bakaq)
Gerakan disagrees with Hindraf ban
Poof! There goes judicial reform
Proposal needs further study, says Hishammuddin
Liow: Review social contract from time to time
MCA wants second deputy BN chief’s post
PM: Let Tan explain bumiputera remarks
Pakatan leaders condemn Hindraf ban
Seeing red over poem ‘likening Kok to dog’
‘YB Josephine assassination story worse than ISA’
Direct BN membership ‘a political gimmick’
Call me paranoid, but I think this is exactly the type of ‘fighting stupid’ escalation I wrote about.
As BN parties have their conventions, they speak in the only three languages they know: race, race, race.
I have said since day one, they speak like that because they are built like that, and because they are built like that, Malaysia will forever be racially divided under BN.
MCA and Gerakan are not playing smart either, and their theatrics are equally caught up in old, outdated, and immoral racism as Umno.
I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about a second deputy chairperson for BN or even a second DPM, even if s/he was Chinese. That seems mere empty symbolism to me. I want a good person leading the country, not someone whose only resemblence to me is skin deep.
And Gerakan chest thumping about race rings hollow. Pandering is of absolutely zero value if one talks without any real leverage.
In fact, the net result of these macho swaggering is very, very negative. Not only does it have an extremely unhealthy polarising effect on society, it also gives Umno the *perfect* excuse to engage in shenanigans, and occasion to embark on even worse racism.
These statements play right into their hands, putting the rest of us exactly where Umno wants us, and I’d bet good money Umno politicians are just yelping and rubbing their hands in glee, waiting to yell about how these pendatangs are now getting too cocky for their own good.
When they do that, you’re not going to find me flustering and saying stupid things like “Don’t call us pendatang!” (Quite frankly, if you don’t want to be treated like a pendatang, stop acting like one! As if a Chinese DPM is the magic bullet for racial harmony, pffft).
Come on everyone, up your game, fight smart, and leave race-based thinking in the dumps of history. Let’s talk about justice, prosperity, and compassion for all, not just for your silly race.
well said!
Agree with what you wrote… yet, it’s so difficult to rise up above the racial discourse, which is so entrenched in our Malaysian political system. I find it hard myself…. as I keep reminding my friends when they fall back onto this discourse.
Sigh… seems like an impossible dream.
There will always Communal and racial politics .This cannot be abandoned or “be done away with”.Almost every structure and institution of the federation of malaya and latter day ,malaysia is enthroned on racial and communal basis due to historical and geographical factors.There is no homogenity nor asimmilation. Since the advent of higher education and the race based allocation of economic resources, the major races in the peninsular have become more race concious and become strongly aware of their racial origins.
.Lets face facts and be practical.So much have passed by in the last 35 years.Social and economic engineering.We are the sum of the parts .Due to competitiion and self preservation instincts race and communal based associations are so pervasive.Every now and then new race based societies get registered in ROS or as NGO .They are formed to protect the originator race interests.
Why does the Govt legislate racial relationships parameters and definitions ?It looks like alaysia will always fall back on legislation.
It is not the perfect ideal solution.
Perhaps such laws made in malaysia will only hold the loose fragility from coming apart.It has to .
.Arjun.
The rhetoric that comes from the component parties of BN is just self serving. When their elections are over, they will be back to their ‘beggar’ self. Do their really care a dime for the communities they claim to represent? No a hope.
If they have done nothing for the last 50 years, this is just a hollow re-branding of irrelevant parties.
It is nothing new, UMNO goons will use these bums as a vehicle to play the race card…very successfully, on ignorant
rural malays and members.
I’m 53 and born in malaysia. I consider myself a malaysian and nothing else. But the race based politics in this country keep on reminding me that I have to be identified based on race. I am not from a rich family and I have struggled very hard throughout my life to survive and provide a decent future for my family, eventhough the affirmative discrimination policies imposed onto the citizens of this country caused some minor difficulty along the way. I do agree that the government has to be compassionate enough to help the lower income group, especially the rural and the agricultural segment of the population because I did come from the lower income group and understand the suffering what more when there is no help like my situation. The assistance provided by the government to the low income group must be a sustainable and long term solution and not based on handouts or subsidies, to enable them to achieve economic competitiveness. For those who have attained the necessary economic competitiveness. they should be decent enough to stand equal with all fellow malaysian citizens and have a fair challenge. To me, the universal value of human dignity is to treat each other on a fair and equal basis. The continuing harping of racial rights in this country is a burden caused by the selfish play of the racist politicians to secure their own power to rule and beneficial gains in the running of the economy from the tax payers’ money. I’m apolitical and non-racial and it pains me that the racial politics keep saying that they are fighting for my race. In so doing, the racist UMNO will have plenty of issues to be raised to rebuke them and I as an ordinary citizen, end up suffer more of the discrimination from them. All I want is to be treated fairly and equally in the country that I was born and which I called home. All I wish is a government who will not suppress and discriminate its able citizens who try to succeed in life and pay their taxes. Is it too much to ask in this beloved country of ours?
Dear Nat,
Nothing much we can do. Bn has rewrote history, so I personnely believe it will take another 2 generations to rectify. Regards.
Very, very accurate analysis. Keep it up, Nat.
And you’re still only 20+something. How I wish there were many, many more thousands of young Malaysians like you. We’d have a great and successful country, one we can really, really be proud of.
But then, what a pity that we don’t have more like you!!!
[...] Nat Tan reads deeper into the entire scenario that’s unfolding, including another stupid statement by MCA delegates about wanting the post of DPM, to ’show the seniority of MCA’, apparently. [...]
Nathaniel,
God bless you! Malaysia needs more citizens like you who dare speak the truth and leave no stone unturned in identifying the crux of the problem by unveiling the masks that hypocrites wear to further their insidious agenda which are purpotedly put forward to appease their disgruntled members of their community.
If it was a genuine cause, they should have sung this tune years ago, from the very beginning instead of living in subjugation in a cowering in fear of those who oppress them and in the absence of their oppressors, make a mountain out of a molehill by picking on one whom they perceive to be in the losing camp. GOSH!!! Talk about hypocritical visionaries!!! *tsk tsk*
And why does this happen? Yup, macho swaggering indeed and the sad fact is, they think they are doing the right thing when in fact are miserable victims of the brainless mind game being played in open field. And I agree – those UMNO fellas are probably clinking their champagne glasses and saying “How dumb can those Mca fellas be falling right into our trap!”I wrote a post on it yesterday called “MCA – All I have to do is Dream, dream, dream” and if you have time, do check out my take on this issue.
You know, I disagree that there will always be communal politics. It exists because people want it to exist. If we change our mindset and look at each other differently and put aside those idiotic myths, and sincerely put aside all those racial overtones, policies etc…yes, there can be a beautiful Malaysia! As it is, the predicament is escalating because many people do not know how to THINK!!! And they swallow the myths that are being churned out daily by selfish morons! Sorry for ranting here.
My husband and I admire your grit, perspective and gumption greatly. We are inspired by young people like you (not that we are ageists). May God bless, guide and protect you and may you help Malaysians to see what we should be and how we can empower ourselves to move forward instead of backwards. Keep up the good work that you are doing, Nathaniel!
P.S. My apologies for the many typo errors cos this old lady here finds it very difficult to see the small letters in your blog. If you see my blog you will properly grin from ear to ear cos of the huge font size. Take care!
Remember Ops Lallang.
MCA made a feeble attempt to flex its muscle.
UMNO responded by saying the Chinese are threatening the Malays.
Lots of posturing and grandstanding.
DAP leaders/NGOs get hauled up under ISA.
Was MCA in on the plot from the beginning?
Is this going to be the sequel?
Hope DAP does not walk into the trap.
Only the Malays can call and end to UMNO’s racist politics without causing another May 13. UMNO knows this and that is why it is calling people like Anwar, RPK, Haris Ibrahim and others pengkhianat. Permatang Pauh is a good start. Anwar and PKR must continue to attract more Malays to the point that eventually they will say a big “NO” to UMNO’s racist politics. That will be the day Malaysia rebuilds itself from the mess of 50 years of racist UMNO politics
HIGH THERE.
Can any person in the political arena tell me they are not the “SELFISH” lot. They will sell or use anything just to gain power and glory.. Can any body please tell me why we have so many parties like MCA . GERAKAN
etc.?
UMNO had and always been playing with a racial card.
In fact, it is a wild card for certain UMNO leaders in coup attempts…
1969- BN lost 2/3 majority.
Racial riot.
Tun Abdul Razak replaced
Tunku Abdul Rahman
1988- UMNO internal crisis, split to Team A & B.
UMNO deregistered.
Najib with his keris act.
Ops Lalang, Tun Mahathir held-on.
2008- BN lost 2/3 majority.
BA threat to takeover.
AhMad, Toyol, UM, ISA, etc.
Najib to replace Abdullah???
Read more..
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12512/84/