YOURSAY ‘Yes, the non-bumis are not marginalised. Want to swap positions?’

Non-bumiputera not marginalised, says Daim

Vijay Shanmugam: I beg to differ with former finance minister Daim Zainuddin’s views. Firstly, civil servants in all government departments are almost 90-100 percent Malay.

Secondly, distribution of perks as discounts when buying properties, tenders, etc, reserved for the preferred race, government-linked companies (GLCs) controlled by bumiputeras as well as private companies with mandatory bumi shares imposed by the government for obtaining government contracts.

Thirdly, as someone pointed out in the Malaysiakini comments section earlier; the allocation of university seats as per professional course choices; medicine, law, engineering, etc, enforced through the infamous quota system.

Lastly, the 1Malaysia concept doesn't mean equal opportunity for all the races under the sun but merely lip service to hoodwink the majority of the non-bumi rakyat to accept the indoctrination of the ruling party on the pretext of the elusive social contract.

Unspin: The reason why the non-Malays, in particular the Chinese, are technically not marginalised is because they always find ways to get around the obstacles.

Instead of debating about marginalisation, the more pertinent issue is that the current regime does not leverage and make use of the industry of the non-Malays to grow the economic cake for all.

By the way, I agree with Daim that the non-Malays should not be too loud in the defence of their rights otherwise it provides the ammunition for hardliners in Umno to justify their actions.

It is better for the non-Malays to quietly vote with their feet at the polls instead of coming out openly to frighten the uninformed Malays.

RCZ: Marginalisation can take place in many ways and forms. There is marginalisation in the allocation of places in universities, in buying property and in the award of business contracts.

There is also marginalisation in the practice of one’s religion, for example, cannot use the word ‘Allah’ and many other words, cannot worship publicly and cannot even have bibles and CDs for one’s own consumption.

Gunnerrun: Can't we sit down like civilised folks in the advanced nations and treat racism, abuse of rights, discrimination, equal rights as acts against humanity? And yet we remain at this hour and at this juncture, as one of the two countries left in the world still having and practising double standards among its people.

I am sure the non-Malays never entertain any thoughts that the lands their ancestors came from as something resembling what they regard as their homeland, motherland or native land, but due to circumstances that keep alienating these folks, in the end they decide to emigrate even though it is against the fibre and grain of their soul, Malays included.

And also please so do away with laws that discriminate against the women and animals. Let's do away with cultural and legal practices that promote racism, gender inequality, species-ism as God would have wanted it but still patiently allows us the freedom and free will to choose and act as we please but to return to His fold not too long from now. Let there be world peace at long last.

Baiyuensheng: Daim, are you saying as long as the non-Malays are not marginalised, it is okay to quota-based policies? I think you miss the plot. By the way, what is your definition of 'not being marginalised'.

Swipenter: What is Daim vomiting? The Chinese never demanded anything more than what is written in the federal constitution. Only Umno Baru insistently tries to interpret the constitution in a biased manner.

I don't understand why the Chinese are always blamed for the failures of Umno Baru in uplifting the welfare of the Malay community.

The Chinese/non-Malays have been marginalised in the formulation and implementation of official policies for decades. The Chinese are blamed for being successful. They are being blamed for being "greedy" as if others are not.

Tell me what are those Malays, rent-seekers and cronies of Umno Baru, Perkasa, Isma, Pekida, etc, are fighting for if not for money and materialism? I will roll on the ground with laughter if they tell me they are defending the Malays out of altruism and idealism.

Show me one Umno Baru Malay politician and ex-politician who can refrain from demonising the Chinese when talking about the plight of the Malay community.

Anonymous: My son has a 3.6 grade point average (GPA) in the Tingkatan Enam examination but cannot enter a local university. Daim, please tell me what that is before you face the Judgement Day.

AnakJohor1920: Daim, I was not born yesterday. Every decent and logical citizen of Malaysia knows deep in their honest heart right this moment that non-bumis are definitely marginalised in this nation.

But the majority of non-bumis in Bolehland does not just blame it on their fate or destiny but chose to work even a lot harder with all their might and intelligence even with little/no government support given and choose to be the survivor of the fittest in Bolehland. So stop being jealous and hateful when the average non-bumis do better in economic terms than the average bumis.

We are all Malaysians by nature, aren't we? Why then continue to marginalise and discriminate against the non-bumis? Does it really help the entire nation by doing this divisive way? Non-bumis have also contributed immensely to nation-building.

Kit P: No doubt the Chinese cronies with whom Daim associates with are not marginalised. These cronies are part and parcel of the Umno political-industrial complex.

Just look at the way Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi goes out of his way to defend a Chinese alleged organised crime kingpin. The reality is that the majority of ordinary Chinese face when dealing with the government is totally different.

Ace: Yes, yes, the non-bumis are not marginalised. They are really favoured with all the benefits given to them. Want to swap positions?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.