YOURSAY ‘The damage done to our social fabric by Umno is extensive.’
Ex-envoy urges moderate Malays to take stand
Negarawan:
"I do not want my grandchildren to live in a Talibanised country," said former Foreign Ministry director-general Ahmad Kamil Jaafar.
This, too, is the wish of all right-minded Malaysians, across all racial and religious boundaries. The Eminent 25 themselves cannot ensure the eradication of extremism. All Malaysians have to work together in the spirit of ‘muhibbah’ to ensure this.
The damage done to our social fabric by Umno in the past 50 years is quite extensive and will take more than just a fleeting statement to repair and heal.
It needs a lot of goodwill, understanding, genuine concern, and more importantly, proactive actions, among the different ethnic and religious groups.
Sedition laws will not bring genuine and lasting harmony, and they were created as a political tool to silence the opposition.
The seed planted by the Eminent 25 is much lauded and appreciated by all moderate Malaysians. It is up to us to nurture the seed, so that it will not be overwhelmed and suffocated by the rocks and undergrowth of extremism surrounding it.
Bamboo: The Eminent 25's open letter is timely. I am glad that Ahmad Kamil and his group will follow up with more to counter the national discourse dominated by the likes of Perkasa and Isma.
It's high time to stop these hired guns who are doing their master’s bidding to cling onto power at the cost of damaging national unity and harmony.
Anonymous #50815906: Thank you for your excellent statement meant for the well-being of our country. More high-ranking Malays should speak up to stop extremist views which will be detrimental to our nation and people.
I'm thankful to PM Najib Razak for issuing many official statements denouncing extremism. He must ensure his ministers follow his vision for the nation.
Not Convinced: Wishful thinking, Anonymous #50815906. Najib won’t, and can’t, control the extremists in his party.
After all, it’s his survival that he is worried about. Who cares about what is going to happen to the country.
KB Menon: I, like many of Malaysiakini readers who have commented in this forum, have wondered when moderate Malays would begin to speak up and form a bulwark against the rising tide of racial and religious bigots in the country.
Hopefully, more and more moderate Malays (whom I believe are in the majority) will now speak up and join these '25 eminent Malays' in giving this nation of ours a dose of rejuvenation.
It is truly pathetic that our PM is not taking the lead in steering the nation out of this morass.
CQ Muar: I had, in my previous comment in Malaysiakini , hoped for moderate and sincere Malays to step out of their cocoon for fear of reprisal from the government, or perhaps other reasons known only to them.
To my perception, I believe the Chinese, or probably even Indians, do not aspire to be prime minister or even the deputy.
All we desire for is equality, fairness and unequivocal democratic right to pursue an honest living free of stifling intervention and intimidation - and that no one race should be discriminated against or marginalised.
Hopefully, the emergence of the 25 Eminent Malays will change such a scenario.
Pputeh: I was born in the 40s. Now 70, I am so frustrated and sad about where our beloved country is heading to.
Even today, one of my children will be leaving with her family soon for greener pastures. It is so heartbreaking to see your children forsake this beautiful land of ours to seek a fairer system and better education for their children - my grandchildren. Oh Malaysia, I cry for you.
Hank Marvin: The problem with these 25 people is that they just spend their time in their exclusive clubs. They don't mix with ordinary Malays. Former ambassador Noor Farida Ariffin sounds Malay, but she lives like a Mat Salleh.
The bottom line is Umno can afford to ignore these 25 elite Malays. The challenge for them is to get down and start the process of kicking Umno out of power. Otherwise, they are just nothing but making statements to get publicity for themselves.
Ratbatblue: No use berating these 25 ‘eminent Malays’. What is there to gain by this?
It is of no consequence if these people have any political agenda, etc. The fact remains that for the first time, a group of Malays have voiced out what non-Malays would have liked them to do.
If it’s a con job, so be it. It was good while it lasted. Perhaps it will inspire others to take it up from here. The younger generation needs guidance and these senior people seem to be providing some of it.
There is no point in shooting everything down like some are doing here in this forum even before things take off. We have nothing to lose, as at present we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for ideas.
Angry Citizen: I have always wondered why the moderate Malays were sitting on their backsides and the answer finally came.
It’s time to stand up against those who sow discord and ill will and literally break this country's back in every way.
It’s also time for professional groups such as MICPA, MIA, the MMA, MMC, the Institute of Engineers and others to get off their sore bums and not let the Bar Council do all the marching and standing up to the evil forces.
TK_2ccc: Day by day for the past few years, with extremist views being allowed and encouraged, I continue to lose hope for our beloved country.
I pray that some respectable citizens will step up and speak on behalf of all moderate Malaysians. That day has indeed come and I pray more moderate Malaysians will do likewise.
To G25, a big thank you from all Malaysians
May more Malays join the Group of 25
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