YOURSAY Umno will do what Umno does best when its back is against the wall and that is to use the threat of violence and racial riots to terrify the Malays.

May 13 riots, race card played up in Johor

Milosevic: Umno's recourse to overt ethno-fascism is actually the tail end of a bankrupt form of governance based on race.

Umno's use of bribery and highly inflammatory language might secure them the elections. But this game cannot go on. Our society needs a new formula but the current system of political representation cannot yet bring this about.

A workable economic and ideological framework for the society necessitates the transcendence of race and religion in substantial ways, if only for the benefit of the majority of the Malays themselves.

Even if Umno won by successfully preying on ignorance and fear, it cannot play the politics of the old for much longer without further de-legitimisation.

The Malay base will shrink if it cannot remake its racial cast. Pakatan Rakyat is trying to transcend Umno's ugly style but its complex, motley structure means it can do so only tentatively.

But even so, there is much hopeful anticipation. A new Malaysia is being made.

Hmmmmmmmm: Incumbent Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman had the nerve to bluff the people by saying that DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is using racial politics in his campaign. Just look at his own party.

Ben: Gelang Patah is a Chinese constituency and was won by MCA in the last election. Kit Siang is contesting in a Chinese constituency, so definitely he is not harping on racial sentiments.

It is racial for Umno to send Abdul Ghani to Gelang Patah because Umno is trying to pull Malay voters away from the opposition.

Anonymous #01962907: Based on their fitnah, (slander) Kit Siang is racist for trying to get support from a seat with a Chinese majority.

What about Premier Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who are trying to get support from seats with Malay majorities?

LJC: I am supporting Pakatan but I have to say Kit Siang helped start this racial war because of his move to go to Johor to challenge the Umno Malays in their own backyard.

May 13 is not all the doing of the Malays either; the Chinese had a role to play too.
The Chinese always cry about Malay discrimination, but the prejudice, discrimination and bigotry that is acted out daily in the private sector which they dominate has not gone unnoticed.

How many non-Chinese have a chance to work in senior level positions owned and operated by Chinese folks? Go to Penang and try to look for an apartment to rent and you will be disgusted to read the ads that call for 'Chinese Only'.

It is about time the Chinese admit they are equally guilty of promoting racial bigotry in this country. You Chinese folks want change, then first begin the change with yourselves.

I am not a Chinese hater. I admire your hard work, and the contributions you have made for the economic success of Malaysia. The truth must be said.

Not Convinced: I agree with LJC. All people have propensity to exhibit racism. That's why we need to enact a Racial Discrimination Act in Malaysia.

P Dev Anand Pillai: The facts here can always be twisted. Go to the London Archives and it will tell the truth, Kit Siang was in Sabah on May 13, 1969.

It is the sick indoctrination and mind moulding that the Malays go through which makes them very submissive to Umno. Until and unless the Malays break out from this mould, nothing will change.

Unspin: Johor was one of a few states that was unaffected by the racial riots in 1969 because by and large, the different races in Johor get along fairly well, especially in the kampung.

So it is rather strange that BN choose to play up the May 13 specter in Johor. This means that BN is terrified that they might actually lose a few seats in their "fixed deposit" state.

Change We Will: Such irony - a racist party in a racist coalition accusing others of being racist.

SHAi: Race, race, race again. Accusing Kit Siang as racist based on hearsay? What about Perkasa leaders Zulkifli Nordin and Ibrahim Ali? Those two guys have been making racist statements openly.

Can we move on and talk on things that affect all Malaysians, please, such as the national debt that's more than RM500 billion, that we are in the top three of most corrupted countries in the world, our budget deficit, and of course illegal money transfers overseas of more than RM1,000 billion?

Dalvik: We should nominate BN as the recycling ambassador - for reusing and recycling the racism card tirelessly for decades.

Fairnsquare: Johor is not racist and will not become one even if politicians try to instill such divisions.

Our history shows how the various races have contributed to the development of the state and the rightful position of the Malays and Islam has never been questioned and always respected by all.

This is not because of political influences but because we Johoreans are a peace-loving people who have respect for one another.

Our sultan's firm anti-racist stand kept racial tension away from our borders during the May 13 riots. We intend to keep Johor that way and will not be sucked into racism by politicians from either side.

We have to start the anti-racist war here and support legislation that outlaws racism of any sort. We will do this in support of the constitution, which stipulates the special position of the Malays and Islam.

We need a government which supports this and not one that distributes leaflets and pamphlets that promote racist sentiments.

Clever Voter: Sex and violence have become the hallmark of BN. Applied in the context of political campaigns, they are tasteless, irresponsible and immature.

Experts would regard these as people with very low self-esteem. The only way to fix it is to encourage change so that they can regain self-confidence. In the case of BN, can they?

Jiminy Qrikert: Umno will do what Umno does best when its back is against the wall and that is to use the threat of violence and racial riots to terrify the Malays into submission to their will and see the Chinese as enemies out to strip Malays of their rights, land and livelihood.

The question is what is MCA doing to counter these lies? Nothing! MCA is so impotent that they become accomplices to these lies and even help to disseminate it.

This is why the Chinese have abandoned MCA. MCA has sold out the community to protect their own selfish interests. MCA is willing to risk the safety of the community even though such lies by Umno could well trigger violence leading to loss of lives.

MCA is the scum of this earth and must be rejected totally. MCA must be wiped out this GE13. It is better for MCA to die rather than the loss of even one Malay or Chinese life.

Pahatian: I hope throughout this week, all rakyat and especially the Malay voters remain focused and not be swayed or deceived by the dirty tactics of Umno-BN.

In most situations, the party that seems to be losing ground will resort to underhand tactics to confuse and instigate the general public.

Ksn: Umno has nothing else to sell to the voters other than May 13 and racism. They have no capital like good governance, good capable leaders with integrity, transparency, in short, a good platform of performance without corruption, cronyism, abuse of public funds and laws after over 50 years.

Hence they have to stoop real low for votes. How shameful and disgusting. But the voters are not buying their garbage, right?

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