I think many of us non-bumis resonate with Jacob George’s letter Does my country love me? Racist remarks from time to time, and coming from leaders of the largest political party in Malaysia, have failed to build bridges especially among the younger generation of post-Merdeka Malaysians.
The waving of the keris and the constant reminder of the social contract and Umno’s ‘struggle’ reminds the various races of the need for a raced-based political party to fight for each community. We are especially reminded by Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent comment that a non- bumi editor of a national newspaper cannot look after the interest of the Malays as George aptly pointed out in his letter.
I believe that the face of Malaysia is changing quickly and there is now a place for a truly multiracial political party as envisioned by a man truly before his time. He is none other than the father of the third prime minister of Malaysia, Hussein Onn and grandfather of Hishammuddin Onn.
In 1951, Onn Jaafar wanted to open up Umno to all races within the federation. This notion was quickly shot down. He resigned from Umno and in 1952, founded the Independence of Malaya party (IMP).
As reported in Chung Chee Min’s interview with Omar Yoke Lin: ‘It attracted many supporters. The IMP had selected its candidates and was confident of winning the majority, if not all, of the 12 seats for the Kuala Lumpur Municipal Council. Ong Yoke Lin, who was at that time chairman of the Selangor liaison committee, was perplexed when even MCA bigwigs like its president Cheng-Lock Tan, Leong Yew Koh, and Tan Siew Sin were falling over themselves to join the IMP’.
I think we as a nation have matured and every Malaysian irrespective of colour or creed would swear complete allegiance to the Federation of Malaysia. We, as Chinese or Indians have no affinity or loyalty to China or India except that we still speak the language. Some, like me, do not even speak Chinese and are more fluent in Bahasa Malaysia than Chinese.
We recognise Islam as the national religion and the religion of the majority of Malaysians. We are thankful that the Federal Constitution also protects other religions and their right to function within the Federation.
There is no room for racists and bigots whoever or wherever they are in this peaceful nation of ours. I am glad that ministers like Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz and the prime minister himself, in Parliament, are quick to avert any communal sensitivities when they arise.
I believe that now is the time to explore a political party that is truly multiracial as envisioned by the founder of the IMP in 1952. Onn Jaafar was a visionary beyond his time. We celebrate his ideals and vision this Merdeka, 54 years later.
No. 48, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar Utama 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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