COMMENT As a post-Merdeka baby, I guess my views would represent the majority of urban Chinese Malaysians.

Although a Chinese, I am more of a banana, with yellow skin on the outside, but think or behave more like a Westerner. I do not feel inferior to a Westerner, nor do I feel superior to any Asian. From young, I have been colour-blind.

While most of my classmates cannot even remember Palanisamy, a small-size Indian boy and classmate of ours, often wearing an oversized uniform, I am eager to connect back with him. Palanisamy was always the last boy in class, while I was the No 1 boy.

Back in the 1970s, we grew up together with our fellow Malay friends, such as Azhar, Nasir, Helmi and so on. Fast forward four decades, we find that polarisation has pulled us apart.

The fabric of society that we were proud of as fellow Malaysians has been torn apart by self-seeking politicians who continue to play on religious and race cards in order to divide and rule.

Pricking some consciences

I hope what I write here will put things in the correct perspectives. Or, at least, it will prick some consciences of people who try to create pit one race against another.

If not, this should speak to the majority of my Malay friends that they have a responsibility to play in upholding the good name of their own ethnic group.

The negative stereotypes of Malays have often been reinforced by certain individuals within the community who are to be blamed, and in order for race relations to triumph, this has to change, either way.

My fellow Malay friends will have to strive harder to achieve greater heights of success based on integrity and good moral values. Meanwhile, the other ethnic groups have to realise that within their own, there are also bad elements.

Typically, Malays have always been labelled as “lazy, low IQ level and unproductive, and waiting for handouts”.

Other descriptions include “flamboyant and showy”; hence, when a grant or loan is given, the first thing a Malay businessman would do is to set up a posh office. Because of the lack of business prudence, within a short period of time, when the cashflow is tight, he declares bankruptcy and loans are not being paid back.

Lately, there is another label which describes Malays as “corrupt, blatant and even arrogant”. Even a ‘pakcik’ friend of mine has made the same observations.

“In the past,” he complains, “we were talking about religion. Nowadays, it is money or no talk (words to the effect)”. In short, from a spiritual and religious community, he sees his fellow Malays as being materialistic these days.

The way our local politicians are trying to play up race and religious sentiments is also not helping us to become one nation or improve race relations. Much of this is the result of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and now, his nemesis, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Whereas I would write to defend Abdullah Ahmad Badawi against Dr Mahathir’s onslaught, I just watch in silence as Najib is being attacked by Dr Mahathir. Since former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was sent to jail this year, I could only conclude one thing - one can only reap what he sows.

Would I respect a Malay?

First, let me say that I respect someone like Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of Dr Mahathir himself. She was, in fact, the first Malay lady to have studied medicine and qualified as a medical doctor. It was an achievement for which I am also proud of her.

Soft spoken and well-mannered, Siti Hasmah ( photo ) exemplifies a stateswoman, deserving her Tunship, even if her husband is not. Her daughter Marina is also a Malay woman of great stature, whom I have a lot of respect for. In my opinion, Marina is the voice of conscience for most Malays, and lately another woman who fits the category is Noor Farida Ariffin from the Group of 25 eminent Malays.

The other person that I always have respect for is Dr Wan Azizah Mohd Ismail, the PKR president. Like Dr Siti Hasmah, she is also another soft-spoken Malay woman who speaks as someone with a heart of compassion for others. Even her eyes ‘betray’ her disposition, she always looks kindly!

Nurul Izzah Anwar, too, in my opinion, is firm, bright and possesses a beaming smile that attracts people like a magnet. She may not be as vocal as her father, but people are easily attracted to her.

Of course, I do not need to say much about Anwar Ibrahim, who has stood up against the injustices in this country. This is the kind of man who would make a great leader and statesman. Although there were numerous attempts to discredit him, his good name remains intact, not only locally but in the international community.

There are also others such as Professor Shahrul Yahya, a bright young and compassionate lady doctor at University Hospital.

The younger generation

Then, there are others like Rafizi Ramli, a young and upcoming national leader. If not for Rafizi, and others who are willing to take the bull by the horns, we would not have been able to know what is happening to our nation.

We cannot expect to see an expose by PAS president Hadi Awang, despite his pursuit for hudud laws.

There are also others like Mariam Mokhtar whose pen is a double-edged sword, and Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud who made her debut in the Teluk Intan by-election recently. Not to mention also Saifuddin Abdullah and the late TNB chairperson Ani Arope, and of course, national laureate A Samad Said (Pak Samad) and the late ‘Tok Guru’ Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Over the last one or two years, a few other names have come out prominently. These are Adam Adli Abdul Halim ( photo ), a student activist, and Safwan Shamsuddin (Pro Mahasiswa chairperson, Universiti Malaya).

They are prepared to sacrifice their own freedom for the sake of others. Along with these two, of course, there are other student activists who have stood up to be counted, just that I cannot mention every one of them.

They are brilliant, they are brave and outspoken. These are the leaders of the future, who will have the courage to take on the world. Will I have any problem respecting them? Of course, not!

Compared them to Mohammad Saiful Bukhari Azlan (Sodomy II case), Muhammad Shafee Abdullah (prosecutor, Sodomy II), Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali and Isma’s Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, and the policemen who are always allegedly on the prowl to prey on some foreigners, I wish to say again, these are the people worthy of our respect.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.