The unsettling events happening in Malaysia, both in and out of the Umno AGM, have sent the message to every non-Malay that the leaders of this country will not protect you and your family.
On Umno delegate: Don’t provoke us
Ayuen: If you have ever considered leaving the country for greener pastures, now is
Ayuen: If you have ever considered leaving the country for greener pastures, now is best to pack your bags.
The unsettling events happening in Malaysia, both in and out of the Umno AGM, have sent the message to every non-Malay that the leaders of this country will not protect you and your family.
I am not against the NEP. Any social imbalance should be addressed to preserve national harmony. Even the most capitalist countries have laws to manage social imbalances, whether the imbalances are related to races, gender or physically challenged. Nor am I pro- or anti-Article 11.
No, the unsettling events I refer to are the remarks made by the Malay leaders.
Several delegates have called for war against non-Malay agendas, claiming that they are ready to "bathe in blood" to protect their rights and that "the blood of Malay warriors will run in our veins".
They warn the other races not to question the Malay rights and warn their own BN counterparts not to interfere with their special privileges.
Groups of Muslims gather in force to surround a church on mere speculation and rumours. They also protest violently when Article 11 groups gather peacefully. Certainly such actions have gone out of control.
While the PM has asked for delegates to avoid racially sensitive statements, it's all fluff as no one has enforced this rule. And no one, not a single one, has asked for internal reexamination and asked for closer dialogue to foster better relations. No one has attempted to reconcile and speak about the virtues of our multi-racial nation.
In this respect, I believe that Dr Mahathir is a better leader. Never mind free speech. In the wrong hands, free speech incites hatred, violence and war.
Pak Lah, by allowing greater freedom of speech, has allowed a divide between the Malays and other races never seen in Dr M's days. Even his son-in-law is party to it.
And like many non-bumiputra Malaysians, I am weighing my options. Will this country stand up against us, and should we, for our family's sake, find our way to be nationals of other countries?
While many say that we will be second-class citizens, at least we are certain that with hard work and an ounce of effort to assimilate, our future generations will become accepted as part of their society.
Malaysian for Peace:
It is completely unnecessary and provocative for certain Umno Youth leaders and representatives to issue warnings to non-Malays. These warnings serve to divide our nation further.
Is there really a need to go war-mongering?
Consider these statements - ‘this is a warning from the youth movement’, ‘my speech is to warn not only those outside but also to remind ourselves that matters relating to religion and peace are not to be messed about with’, ‘the blood of Malay warriors will run in our veins’, ‘Umno is willing to risk lives and bathe in blood in defence of race and religion. Don’t play with fire. If they mess with our rights, we will mess with theirs’, ‘Umno faces challenges from threats from overseas’ or ‘don't test the Malays; they know 'amok'. We don't want to reach that level’.
Since when did self-inflicted civil war, or war in general - which brings forth destruction, lives lost and vanquished opportunities, be it economic, political or social - ever benefit a country?
One shudders to think about the future direction of Malaysia given the apparent battle-ready, but not war-tested, much less war-hardened mindframe of these Umno delegates.
Is there anything for any ethnicity to be proud about when one boasts about the efficiencies of his ethnicity in running amok simply because his ethnicity knows how to do so? Surely, the advancement of anyone's race involves higher achievements like skilled entrepreneurship, competitiveness in the global stage rather than mere capabilities in running amok.
We should be talking about advancing innovations and technology.
Our prime minister has frowned about Malaysia's first class state-of-the-art equipment and buildings, but third class mentality of some of its people. Let us show fellow Malaysians and the rest of the world that we are and could be a civilised peace-loving nation, instead of one that indulges in mentally-created imaginary enemies.
On 'Umno willing to bathe in blood'
Adha: Probably this is their version of ‘Islam Hadhari’.
MSY: Statements like these are usually considered inciteful and dangerous because they can cause racial tensions. Under normal circumstance, statements like these will be considered seditious.
If they were uttered by any other person, a report will be lodged and within 24 hours we have the police closing in and the person charged with sedition.
Why is it that there is such immunity in the Putra World Trade Centre for Umno delegates who utter such seditious words?
We as non-malay Malaysians (kaum pendatang) understand the rhetoric and show that go on in the Umno general assembly.
It is the normal arrogance that we see year in and year out - very different rhetoric when it comes to the general election.
However, these delegates have succeeded in painting a picture of a racially segregated and tensed Malaysia to foreigners.
When foreigners watch this, what do you think will be their impression?
In many countries, such rhetoric is considered bigotry and racist.
On Umno delegate: Don’t provoke us
Ayuen: If you have ever considered leaving the country for greener pastures, now is
Ayuen: If you have ever considered leaving the country for greener pastures, now is best to pack your bags.
The unsettling events happening in Malaysia, both in and out of the Umno AGM, have sent the message to every non-Malay that the leaders of this country will not protect you and your family.
I am not against the NEP. Any social imbalance should be addressed to preserve national harmony. Even the most capitalist countries have laws to manage social imbalances, whether the imbalances are related to races, gender or physically challenged. Nor am I pro- or anti-Article 11.
No, the unsettling events I refer to are the remarks made by the Malay leaders.
Several delegates have called for war against non-Malay agendas, claiming that they are ready to "bathe in blood" to protect their rights and that "the blood of Malay warriors will run in our veins".
They warn the other races not to question the Malay rights and warn their own BN counterparts not to interfere with their special privileges.
Groups of Muslims gather in force to surround a church on mere speculation and rumours. They also protest violently when Article 11 groups gather peacefully. Certainly such actions have gone out of control.
While the PM has asked for delegates to avoid racially sensitive statements, it's all fluff as no one has enforced this rule. And no one, not a single one, has asked for internal reexamination and asked for closer dialogue to foster better relations. No one has attempted to reconcile and speak about the virtues of our multi-racial nation.
In this respect, I believe that Dr Mahathir is a better leader. Never mind free speech. In the wrong hands, free speech incites hatred, violence and war.
Pak Lah, by allowing greater freedom of speech, has allowed a divide between the Malays and other races never seen in Dr M's days. Even his son-in-law is party to it.
And like many non-bumiputra Malaysians, I am weighing my options. Will this country stand up against us, and should we, for our family's sake, find our way to be nationals of other countries?
While many say that we will be second-class citizens, at least we are certain that with hard work and an ounce of effort to assimilate, our future generations will become accepted as part of their society.
Malaysian for Peace:
It is completely unnecessary and provocative for certain Umno Youth leaders and representatives to issue warnings to non-Malays. These warnings serve to divide our nation further.
Is there really a need to go war-mongering?
Consider these statements - ‘this is a warning from the youth movement’, ‘my speech is to warn not only those outside but also to remind ourselves that matters relating to religion and peace are not to be messed about with’, ‘the blood of Malay warriors will run in our veins’, ‘Umno is willing to risk lives and bathe in blood in defence of race and religion. Don’t play with fire. If they mess with our rights, we will mess with theirs’, ‘Umno faces challenges from threats from overseas’ or ‘don't test the Malays; they know 'amok'. We don't want to reach that level’.
Since when did self-inflicted civil war, or war in general - which brings forth destruction, lives lost and vanquished opportunities, be it economic, political or social - ever benefit a country?
One shudders to think about the future direction of Malaysia given the apparent battle-ready, but not war-tested, much less war-hardened mindframe of these Umno delegates.
Is there anything for any ethnicity to be proud about when one boasts about the efficiencies of his ethnicity in running amok simply because his ethnicity knows how to do so? Surely, the advancement of anyone's race involves higher achievements like skilled entrepreneurship, competitiveness in the global stage rather than mere capabilities in running amok.
We should be talking about advancing innovations and technology.
Our prime minister has frowned about Malaysia's first class state-of-the-art equipment and buildings, but third class mentality of some of its people. Let us show fellow Malaysians and the rest of the world that we are and could be a civilised peace-loving nation, instead of one that indulges in mentally-created imaginary enemies.
On 'Umno willing to bathe in blood'
Adha: Probably this is their version of ‘Islam Hadhari’.
MSY: Statements like these are usually considered inciteful and dangerous because they can cause racial tensions. Under normal circumstance, statements like these will be considered seditious.
If they were uttered by any other person, a report will be lodged and within 24 hours we have the police closing in and the person charged with sedition.
Why is it that there is such immunity in the Putra World Trade Centre for Umno delegates who utter such seditious words?
We as non-malay Malaysians (kaum pendatang) understand the rhetoric and show that go on in the Umno general assembly.
It is the normal arrogance that we see year in and year out - very different rhetoric when it comes to the general election.
However, these delegates have succeeded in painting a picture of a racially segregated and tensed Malaysia to foreigners.
When foreigners watch this, what do you think will be their impression?
In many countries, such rhetoric is considered bigotry and racist.
Contribution from:
Malaysiakini
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