4/16/2008
The mask unveiled
As UMNO fights for its life, to remain in power, the truth of what UMNO really stands for becomes clearer. The speech by the Kelantan Crown Prince Tengku Mohammad Faris on the special privileges of Malays and UMNO's unflinching endorsement clearly defined its position. It is no longer a special right but more, Ketuanan Melayu.
The criticism of Ong Ka Ting(MCA) and Karpal Singh(DAP) on the same speech tells two different stories. In the case of MCA, they have been supporting UMNO's position all these years and it sounds kind of hollow.
In the case of DAP, their stand is quite understandable. The DAP stand is also about recognition of the Special Rights of the Malays but not the Ketuanan Melayu of UMNO. Acceptance of this right has not been questioned by the non Malays. What they are opposing is the extreme interpretation of this right by UMNO.
Even PAS is not in agreement with UMNO on this. They are more concern with protecting the rights of the underprivileged, especially the Malays. They are not comfortable with protecting the rights of the rich UMNOs and their corrupt ways. There is a huge difference in what the two camps stood for.
UMNO is now trying to sell its extremism to PAS to prevent the erosion of Malay hegemony.
Malaysia should try to follow Nepal and many other countries to remove the Kings (Sultans)who are the stumbling block for any reconciliation among the different races. As long as the Sultans positions are recognized and enshrined in the Constitution, the supremacy of the Malay will always be there.
ReplyDeleteNo one would dare to broach that subject, not even a Malay. It is an offence punishable under the Sedition Act, something which Nepal does not have.
ReplyDeleteas the royal coffers ballooned, the state will find it too expensive to upkeep them one day. it is a matter of time when all countries will become a republic.
ReplyDeleteAhh, but the royals in Malaysia are not wholly dependent on govt handouts to survive. They would not be able to live the lavish livestyles they are currently enjoying if they onyl had to depend on state money. All of them have business interests. For eg. the N9 royal family owns MAA, one of the biggest insurers in Malaysia.
ReplyDelete"UMNO is now trying to sell its extremism to PAS to prevent the erosion of Malay hegemony"
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have no idea what you are talking about ? PAS has always been hegemonistic, but instead of Malay hegemony, they stand for Islamic hegemony. What difference does that make to the non-Muslims ? Like I said in the other post, Malay/Muslim hegemony is here to stay until and unless the Malays make a paradigm shift to consider the non-bumis as fellow citizens, something that I don't see happening in the next 50 years.
the mindset of malays as the dominant people of malaysia will be there forever. agree that be it pas or umno, this will not change in the next 50 years.
ReplyDeletewhat the non bumis can hope for is a gradual shift and be given a little more opportunities all fields. there will be some compromises and hopefully some improvements.
yes, don't expect too much. but one good thing is that the thuggish style of umno has been watered down and a little breathing space is open up.
Nothing is ever going to change in Malaysia with such mindsets. Let them enjoy their 'Ketuanan Melayu' paradise. Very soon they will fall behind countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. And others like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines will prosper at their expense. It is more a blessing in disguise.
ReplyDeleteIf by prosper you refer to the Singapore model where anything and everything foreign is worshipped and given red carpet treatment at the expense of the locals, then I'd rather not 'prosper'. Of what good is prosperity, if all it results in is you being the white man's ass kisser, like Singapore. Thanks but no thanks.
ReplyDeletesingapore's economic progress may not be desired by all. but there are many things in singapore that are desired by all.
ReplyDeletethailand, vietnam and malaysia have benefitted a lot by the presence of the chinese community. but malaysia is losing this edge with the dwindling numbers of the chinese and indians.
it is their conscience choice.
just like america, australia and africa, without the white men, what state of development will they be? buti must admit it is subjective to say which is better.
Oh puhh-leaase. Many desirable things like what ? Living in overpriced, and supposedly subsidised cramped match boxes in the sky ? Or how about having your retirement savings held ransom by the oh-so-caring government ? But wait, it gets better; foreign students are brought in and given full scholarships and living expenses while local students are left on a lurch ? If Singapore is really so desirable, then tell me how come my Malaysian colleagues, some having been here for well over fifteen years still refuse to trade their citizenships for Singaporean ones in spite of the fact that they are discriminated against back home ? I tell you I don't mind being discriminated against if I get to live in freehold semi-detached or bungalow houses with two cars in my driveway with the money that gets me only a worthless 99-year leasehold pigeonhole and having to push and shove my way into train carriages in the mornings and evenings. Now, if only one of my Malaysian colleagues would want to swap citizenship with me.
ReplyDeletesingapore was doing very well. and the people were very appreciative of what the govt had done for them. that was history.
ReplyDeleteanonymous, what you have quoted were things done in the last ten years or so. these are great things that the govt think it had done for the people. but the people, like you and many, are looking at these great things in different light.
i also agree that many of the great things are better to be dumped. good riddance.
let the great men think that they have done great things for the people. and let them think that the people are stupid and unappreciative of the great things done for them, so ungrateful.