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Tadin Sahak explained that the Malays in Malaysia, as he understands them, are in fear of losing their identity and religious beliefs because they do not control the economy. He also said that Benjamin Tan was not in full possession of historical facts hence the latter's opinions about Awang Selamat's article. I believe both letters highlight some of the current concerns of Malaysians of both Malay and Chinese descent.

Tadin claims that Muslim Indonesians, being of the same cultural background as Peninsula Malays, will always be accepted by the Malay community. This is indeed true. In some cases, a second generation Indonesian migrant can rise to high political position. Conversely, the liberal idea of citizenship that was practiced between 1957 and 1969 no longer have currency. We no longer see Chinese or Indian Malaysians holding high positions in the government service as secretary generals, etc.

In fact, if Tadin looks further back into history, things have reverted back to the colonial era where Chinese and Indians were excluded from the Malayan civil service. The reality is that for those of us born after 1969, being non-bumiputeras means that we can no longer look to the government for a living. Tadin must understand that this creates much discontent.

It is interesting that Tadin should compare Malaysia to South Africa where he says that the whites were happy to give the blacks political power because they controlled the economy. I think that is a very simplistic way of explaining a very complicated political compromise. The one important comparison that Tadin has missed out is that Malaysia is very much like the apartheid days of South Africa as we now have institutionalised separate development for separate races.

In the private sector, the Chinese Malaysians especially and a certain segment of the Indian community are seen to be dominant. But Tadin should really look at how wealth is being distributed. Yes, there are very rich Chinese and Indian Malaysians but the situation is also very similar for the Malay Malaysians. Most are wage-earners.

It would be good to look back into the past for inspiration but one should be fair. The Chinese were once managing the middle-men's economy but all the big firms were in western hands. The Malays, purposefully kept in the rural areas by misguided British policy, are now naturally taking a longer time to integrate themselves into the global economy.

Having said that, some segments of the Malay community are doing very well and I dare say, would refute Tadin's claim that they fear losing their identity. Like other middle-class Malaysians, this group of Malays are changing because of global forces. But they are not passively receiving western influence either. I am not sure they would take very well to the pickling of their culture as suggested by some conservative quarters. Malaysians of all colour and creed are constantly changing.

What is important is that Malaysians should not be bickering among themselves on points of history. We need to think in new and creative ways. Whether we like it or not, we are in the same boat. I personally think that Indonesian workers contribute greatly to the construction industry in Malaysia. Similarly, tourists from China bring in much needed revenue.

Let us look back into the past objectively and move on. Racism, disguising itself as nationalism, often makes victims of the people. That is not constructive.

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