There has been a very positive shift in the way youth around the world view systemic or institutional racism. Many polls and research have found that millenials and Gen Z are more racially tolerant than their elders. Indeed, in Malaysia itself I find that across the races, there is a common disdain to racism these days among the young. While there are many factors, I’m sure that social media with its global reach have exposed our youths to a global community made up of all kinds of race and religions. Exposure to injustices around the world due to racism has also reached our corner of the globe.
Just try asking a Gen Z kid what he or she thinks of the Malaysian historical narrative of “ketuanan melayu” (Malay supremacy). History says that Malays have been here as early as the 13th century and therefore considered landlords to the other races who were recently “brought in” by the British. Mahathir himself has said that Malays are the rightful owners of Malaysia and non Malays are but “guests.” He says in his book, The Malay Dilemma; “Malays are the rightful owners of Malaya, and that if citizenship is conferred on races other than the Malays, it is because the Malays consent to this. This consent is conditional.” (Malay Dilemma, p126). This ideology of malay supremacy has ruled Malaysian politics since independence. It is why Tun Mahathir believes in a coalition model divided by race with the malay only party being the dominant party. This has been the Barisan Nasional model since independence and for many older politicians this is all they know. A divided Malaysia according to race. Thankfully however, there is a shift in the moral compass of our young Malaysians. This narrative of Ketuanan Melayu is becoming repulsive to the Gen Z and millennial generations.
While there is respect accorded to the elders, this race based politics in Malaysia is thankfully coming to an end with the rise of a new generation of Malaysians. Political parties that are non race based like KEADILAN is attracting many young Malaysians of all races because it is seen as progressive. It is unlike the other Malay dominated parties who due to political expediency allows for other races to become members.
I believe if you talk to any millennial generation today in Malaysia you will find that they care for the poor and marginalized; namely the refugees. They will talk about the widow and the homeless poor but gone are the questions in their minds: Malay, Indian or chinese? This subtle shift is a great welcome to a new Malaysia. Those political parties led by the old politicians of yester years will only find themselves more and more obsolete and irrelevant and rightfully so for there is no more place for them in the horizons of a new Malaysia. If Malaysia is to compete effectively globally, it belongs to the new generation of millenials who are mostly colour blind.
Happy 63rd Merdeka! Selamat Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia!
A proud parent of Gen Z Malaysians
