| This Merdeka, say ‘no’ to race-based parties |
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Meng Aug 13, 07 3:16pm |
The Merdeka Center for Opinion research conducted a telephone survey last year to understand race relations in Malaysia. The survey found that negative stereotyping was deeply entrenched. For example, minority Chinese and Indians see the majority Malays, who make up 60 percent of the population of 25 million people, as lazy. Meanwhile, 71 percent of Malays, 60 percent of Chinese and 47 percent of Indians agree that ‘in general, most Chinese are greedy’.
Sixty-four percent of Malays, 58 percent of Chinese and 20 percent of Indians agreed that ‘in general, most Indians cannot be trusted’. The Merdeka Centre said the survey 'gives an honest picture of the country's situation and inter-racial perception' and warns that extremists can take advantage of inter-racial fears and suspicions in the absence of a meaningful interaction.
This meaningful interaction is unfortunately prohibited and often deemed to be ‘sensitive issues’ for which one can be charged with sedition.
It is most unfortunate that after 50 years of Merdeka, with the ruling coalition having been the government for that same period of time, race relations in Malaysia are still poor and there is so much suspicion between the races. It is precisely because of the BN formula of dividing the races according to political parties that has led to this great divide between the races. It is obvious that if each political party fights for its own cause and community; there will be no national agenda which can pull the nation together.
Race-based politics and political parties that prohibit any Malaysian from joining them because of race are wrong and should be outlawed. I will go so far as to say that there is little difference between Hitler’s political party and that of the racist political parties found in Malaysia. It is simply wrong and immoral.
Discriminating against Malaysians according to their skin color, creed and religion for political party membership is a disgrace to a civil society and modern Malaysia. The Registrar of Societies should de-register such political parties as they are counter-productive to national unity.
If the leaders espouse communal politics, then is it any wonder why the communities suffer from a bad case of ‘paranoia’? This Merdeka, we must all stand up for Malaysia. For a united Malaysia and we must say say ‘No’ to race-based political parties.
The Merdeka Centre survey also found that more than half of the population does not trust each another. For a nation that claims to be a 'melting pot', only eleven percent of the respondents said they had eaten often with friends from other races in the past three months. Thirty-four percent said they have never had a meal with people of other races.
The survey also found that 42 percent do not consider themselves as Malaysians first, 46 percent said ethnicity was important in voting, 55 percent blamed politicians for racial problems and 70 percent would help their own ethnic group first.
The survey was the first honest look at Malaysian society and the findings left Malaysians gasping in disbelief at how firmly racism and racial stereotyping had become entrenched and accepted as a way of life. Do we still want to be like this fifty years from now? |
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