“We must know what we want to achieve, what is our belief and if our understanding (of the matter) is based on principles that lead to harmony, peace, justice and humanity. This is very important, especially when we are living in a multiracial country like Malaysia," – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

COMMENT | Amanah central committee member Mohd Sany Hamzan's contention that Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy “is looking for trouble and attempts to be the hero of his race with cheap publicity” is exactly the kind of strategy that proponents of the ‘big racial lie’ engage in.

An element of this big racial lie is that non-Malays are not patriotic enough to accept the low wages that come with civil service.

Umno Youth secretary-general Hasmuni Hassan said the same as reported in the press – “In a statement today, Hasmuni said the lack of non-Malays in the public service sector was due to low wages. He said this is different from the Malay community who are more willing to serve the government out of a spirit of patriotism.”

Remember when DAP’s Teresa Kok stirred the hornet’s nest because she dared push the government for a more racially balanced civil service? Then Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Adnan Mat said: "Most who join the civil service - especially in the security and defence sector - do so out of patriotism and love for the country.

This propaganda is thrown at the faces of non-Malays every time this...