Malaysia’s past damns its future
Finally, it could be argued that Malay self-confidence has been destroyed and replaced with a national inferiority complex that the elite can play to at their whim.
Ketuanan Melayu, according to UKM Professor Noraini Othman has connotations of enslavement, with a Malay master and servant relationship implied.
The cabal that was set up in the 1970s by Abdul Razak Hussein has been transferred across from leader to leader since that time. Each prime minister inherited a complete network of loyalists to the Agenda Melayu.
This has been their strength. However cracks appeared in this political-cabal when Dr Mahathir Mohamad (
photo
) tried to make an argument with both his successors.
In addition, the scandals of the present prime minister are beginning to test those loyal to the Agenda Melayu to the point where some may break away from the cabal and spill the beans. Hence the sackings, demotions, transfers and arrests of late.
This however will not mean self-destruction to Malaysia’s political-cabal. It’s a fight over control and not reform. Winner will take all.
The very nature of Umno itself, once a party of schoolteachers, junior civil servants, farmers, and fishermen, now transformed into a party of contractors, small entrepreneurs, and professional rent-seekers, will serve Najib Abdul Razak well as he tries to consolidate his position.
He can reward his warlords, maintain their loyalty, and even put more of his loyalists in place for the coming election, win it, and even end up having more power than he has now.
This is Mahathir’s worst nightmare, and why he is working so hard to remove Najib before the next election.
Tribalism will continue
To date very few international bodies have heavily criticised 'Malaysian apartheid'. The government will continue to get away with repressing its populace with divide and conquer tactics.
There is no front against Malaysia, like there was against South Africa. Tribalism can be expected to continue during the 21st century and anybody who tries to oppose it will meet bullying tactics to subdue them.
The Malay position will remain a taboo subject for years to come. This also means that the question as to whether the NEP/NDP has been protecting or marginalising the Malays will not be discussed.
This is an important question for the future of Malaysia and the challenges that lie ahead.
As former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ( photo ) once said, “Malays who can’t learn how to walk without crutches will end up in a wheelchair”.
The system of discrimination has only benefitted in preserving a feudal hierarchy within Malaysian society where the new lords are political dynasties which are now fighting each other openly using 1MDB as the platform.
This is not about corruption but which family and surrounding group rules, rather than promise of social reform.
MURRAY HUNTER is an Australian academic and development specialist now living in Thailand. This article first appeared in the Asia Sentinel .
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