Diversity should breed unity.
I was reading the news everywhere and amidst this pride of finally owning up to being Malaysian (and not Chinese / Malay / Indian) suddenly I felt shame.
I'm sure I was not the only Chinese who got the sms going, 'If you're Chinese you will not vote for MCA who sells out on the Chinese race,' during the weeks leading up to the Elections. Were you one of those, like me, who felt sickened by the manner that the ruling coalition parties had angled their stance, as if we Malaysians were still so divided by our skin colours and languages and religions, that we would vote for parties who would protect our personal racial interests?
So in a little after 24 hours of a momentous time where Malaysian truly voted as Malaysians, not Malays, Indians or Chinese, why must we be so quick to return to our racially superior M&M tubes?
I don't want to believe that Malaysians are that archaic in our thoughts and values. It cannot be true, that most people believe that the only way to win a game is to make sure other people lose in it. The election results prove that we're able to make it happen, BN still wins a simple majority to set up the government, the opposition wins the Rakyat's approval, the Rakyat wins its right to democracy, and the only losers are the one who're game on intending other people to lose in the race.
To the Chinese community in Perak who're so proud of our racial heritage - good for you, but really, does it matter whether the MB is Malay, Chinese or Indian? Or does it matter that whatever race the new MB is, he will lead the new state government with a just hand and ensure peace, love and justice as values to uphold? If we strip ourselves of all our individual wants, and put everything we value on the table, which is more important? That we are able to live together in peace? Or that the Chinese can be united in peace?
Its really time to grow up as Malaysian.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:28 am
You got that right. Personally, i rather be Malaysia first and whatever comes later. Race? Probably last..
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:00 am
In the news today: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2182899/Article/index_html
“Khalid also pledged to embark on an open bidding system for projects, work towards reintroducing the local council elections and change the pro-Malay New Economic Policy (NEP) system in the state to a more equal opportunity style of wealth distribution.
“Of course, doing away with the NEP also means there is a need for an adaptation to certain needs of a certain community, such as the Orang Asli and the hardcore poor.”
Awesomesauce….
March 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Yes Yes Yes you are so true, in the end everybody still cares about the skin factor, no matter what race we are.
Its like every time people ask you who we are, we say ” Im chinese. I’m a malay. Im an Indian.
We never say we are Malaysian.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Beb, lu punya posting ni betul-betul menginsafkan & mengandungi maksud yang mendalam yang perlu diteladani oleh orang Malaysia. Terkedu kejap aku baca, hehe. Yes, your posting is just simple yet insightful!
March 11th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I am all for doing away with racial politics.
Which is why I find it hilarious (or sad, depending how you see it) that the party with the most seats amongst the alliance cannot put forward their candidate as MB.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
yes i agree with vincent. but what is of another concern of mine is not the individual involved but the party involved. i think we need to look at the ideology of the party of whom the individual is a representative because let’s face it, that guy is gonna be asked to toe the party line as well either that or the party has no spine.
i dont mind the individual, i mind the party.
on the other hand, the other party might not have suitable or experienced candidates which might be an issue.
i think the opposition is smart, after assessing the ground situation they handed it up to the royalty to decide. let’s see what’s the decision.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Most people dont wanna see country progress because they got so much from a chaotic country