Whither Muhibbah?

With all the inter-racial mudslinging taking place, Malaysians have been pushed to a corner and now ask how sincere and strong are the ties between the Malays and non-Malays?

After 51 years of living under the label of independence, Malaysians, the non-Malays in particular, have come to realise the sad and devastating truth – they were always seen as immigrants or pendatang by the Malays.

Is the strained racial ties a hint by the Malays to the non-Malays that the latter have overstayed their welcome?

Back in the good old days, muhibbah or harmony was the order of the day. There was little distinction made between a non-Malay and a Malay. There was a very strong kinship then. Today, there is a very strong feeling of animosity between the races. And all this in Malaysia, once the shining example of how different races lived happily under one roof.

What went wrong in a spate of five decades that has led to name calling between the races?

One reason is the incompetent leaders and leadership that Malaysia had and has. Irresponsible remarks by leaders have fueled the already simmering racial tensions, Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail being the most recent.

According to him, the Chinese in Malaysia are ‘pendatang’ or immigrants who should not be accorded equal rights. He has also refused to apologize.

Ignorance breeds contempt

It is very typical that individuals like Ahmad, with their prejudice-tainted mindsets, who in the end do the greatest damage. If he has not understood the meaning of muhibbah after 51 years, then Ahmad is certainly unfit as a leader from all aspects.

There is no denying that Ahmad and the likes of him hold the selfish view that the country belongs to them, i.e. the Malays and everyone else is only serving time here. Ahmad’s myopic understanding of harmony also reveals how history has failed to serve him, both while in school and now as a division head. Ignorance breeds contempt and Ahmad has clearly demonstrated this. But it will help if Ahmad keeps this wise saying in mind - ignorance is no bliss.

There is every reason for the non-Malays to mourn the sad state-of-affairs affecting their beloved country. Bad enough there are rotten Umno leaders like Ahmad and the emancipation of Malaysia, in every sense of the word, has yet to arrive. How can it when politicians like Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Najib Razak and Umno Youth chief Hishammudin Hussein all show miserable leadership qualities.

Abdullah it seems is happy with Ahmad’s explanation that his remark was based on historical facts. Mr Prime Minister, it is time to stop taking ‘catnaps’ and wake up to the cry for help before Malaysia is raped by perverted minds out to satisfy their political lust.

When commenting on Ahmad’s remark, Najib, son of former premier Tun Abdul Razak and heir to the nation’s leadership after Abdullah, said non-Malays in Malaysia are Umno’s partners and their rights and interests will be safeguarded. Is there any guarantee of this or is Najib merely giving lip service out of fear of not making it as the next prime minister?

Since Najib speaks of protecting the rights and interests of the non-Malays, can he then explain why the government went cold turkey when an innocently worthy suggestion was made by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim that 10 percent of the student intake at Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) be opened to non-Malays?

Why the display of insecurity by the Malays, to the point that politics successfully raised its ugly head, taking UiTM students under its spell and instead of spending time in lecture halls, they made their way to the streets to protest against this suggestion?

Why is UiTM a den for producing extremist Malays whose only goal in life is to create a Malaysia for Malays?

Rights will not be safeguarded

If as Najib claims that the rights and interests of non-Malays will be assured, why then the outburst of fear when the Bar Council organised a forum to discuss the issue of conversion and the non-Malays? Why the need to muzzle the efforts in seeking the truth of what has been declared the privilege of the Malays, or questioning why the Federal Constitution has been abused for the benefit of the Malays? Why invoke the Internal Security Act against those behind Hindraf?

The truth, as Najib himself knows, is that the interests and rights of the non-Malays will never be safeguarded. Because if it indeed was the case, the bumiputera privileges would have been a thing of the past. The New Economic Policy would never serve its purpose exclusively for the Malays. The quota in universities would never have tilted in the favour of the bumiputeras at the expense of many bright non-Malays who were deprived the chance to further their studies at home.

Najib said Umno has never regarded the Chinese in Malaysia as ‘pendatang’ or immigrants and the views expressed by other leaders at the division level regarding this matter are their personal views.

According to the deputy premier, Ahmad’s remark did not reflect or represent the policies of Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Correction begets you, Najib.

Ahmad made the remark in his capacity as the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief. As such, any statement made by an Umno chief by proxy demonstrates the party’s stand. To cop- out by saying that Ahmad’s views were not aligned to that of Umno is not reflective of a sensitive and caring leader.

Najib should instead advise Umno heads at the division and branch levels to not fan racial fires by making damaging statements and strictly focus at ensuring that racial harmony between the three races in the country survives all tests.

Najib should not feign ignorance by saying that Umno does not view the non-Malays as pendatang. If he was indeed sincere, Najib should have taken this stand when Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein waved the keris (a Malay dagger) to hint to the non-Malays to not question Malay privileges. Najib should have shown his sincerity when Khairy Jamaludin called the Hindraf demonstrators beruk or apes. Where was Najib’s conscience then? Maybe it is all about timing, is it not, Mr Number Two?

To further insult the intelligence of Malaysians, Hishammuddin has been commenting on Ahmad’s remark, saying that the statement has been blown out of context. How much lower can Hishammuddin sink?

Then there is Dr Mahathir Mohamad, best known for creating a top class infrastructure and third class mentality and who through his blog questioned why Malay leaders were apologising. Mahathir said that Malays were so scared of being labelled as racist that they even wrote in Malay newspapers that the Malays were not racist.

It will do Mahathir good to reflect on his own actions and remarks while 22 years in office as prime minister. Was he the keeper of the Malays?

Until and unless such masquerading leaders are removed, Malaysia will sink to the depths of destruction, irrespective of which party forms the ruling government.