Malaysiakini - 26th January Race but not racist parties - the way forward
Any realistic effort to improve race relations must be carried out through the ruling party and existing political framework, argues outspoken Umno MP Zaid Ibrahim.
The existing political framework of the BN is one of a coalition of race based parties. The UMNO representing the malays, MCA- the chinese and MIC -the indians. Each party seek to represent their own ethnic community and to enure that the needs of that community are met. Often each community seek to ensure that their rights are protected and that they obtain fair allocation of national funds for the development of their respective community. For example, to the chinese community; Chinese Schools and government allocation to these schools are important. To the malays and indians; other priorities.
The problem with this formula, is that each political party seeks the good of their own community which may not be good for the nation as a whole. There are many cases in point. Also, each politcial party, in order to survive and continue their relevance, fight for the rights of their respective races and THIS has been the cause of declining race relations in Malaysia. After 50 years of Independence and supposedly the "right formula" or "winning formula" ;why is it then that race relations have deteriorated? Why are there still "sensitive issues" deemed seditious and which we cannot talk about? Why do we still use words like"tolerate", "Ketuanan melayu" (lordship of malays), or "bangsa pendatang"(immigrant race) ? Is this the kind of unity we have been "struggling" for over the last 50 years? If it is, we have succeeded and yes, MP Zaid Ibrahim is right in saying that the BN is the "winning formula."
Suppose we put sentimental notions behind and dream for a second that another political framework exists in Malaysia. One that seeks to level the playing field for all Malaysians and the allocation of funds is not based on the color of your skin or the ethnic group you belong to but the level of economic standing in our society. For a change we have one General Assembly for the ruling political party where real issues facing the nation is discussed. The rakyat is able to gauge the ability of this political party to govern the nation from this singular event which is meant for the consumption of all Malaysians. (as opposed to 3 General assemblies now held behind closed doors) What is there to hide unless there are shameful things said.
This way, Malaysians can close ranks and 5 decades of division can be safely put behind us as we respect each others ethnic differences and focus on what we can contribute to the table rather than what we can take from it.
2 comments:
The last two paragraphs are a dream to be achieved. The first two paragraphs is reality in motion. By any accounts, if a country is ruled by religion or racial bias, there is high likelihood that progress will be slow if not stunted at best. Even countries like Lebanon,Iran and Iraq all of which are one race faces insidious political warfare which then leads to mass killings. So race is not the issue here is it and neither is religion? What is then ? Its purely about getting the right types of people in the engine room. Pretty hard stuff if you ask me because men usually succumb to the seven sins. Easily. Greed is one of the main cause. Ego and pride are the other two. Will religion circumvent these issues ? Not really because humans are complex.
Good post! Lets link it to the agora :)
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