Resurrection Of Racism

After the March 8 political tsunami, many thought that we could soon revert the country's fate once dominated by racist politics, and that racism would abate before long.

But as UMNO is gearing up for its party elections, racist sentiments are once again revived.

Perhaps the toxins of racist policies and concepts have seeped deep into the bones of some people, that they refuse to vanish with the humiliating defeat in the general elections.

Controversies over the recent issues of Chinese language road signs, the appointment of PKNS acting general manager, bumiputra equity and the new economic policy are no longer novel, except that they sound particularly shrieking in the midst of the global financial crisis this time round.

Banking on the upcoming party elections, the above issues have been raised by some ill-intentioned people in their quest to bag sufficient nominations.

Such tricks are played in almost total uniformity: the issues are first played up and distorted by the press, followed by harsh remarks from some politicians before they gradually evolve into highly sensitive issues.

"High-calibre professionals will never offer themselves if we insist to cling on to racial quotas."
As a consequence, extra care has to be exercised when dealing with such remarks lest we fall into the traps of these irresponsible people.

It is a national tragedy that so many politicians have opted to garner cheap propaganda through the manipulation of racial issues, sacrificing national solidarity and progress in its course.

More shockingly, PAS also dances to their tune this time. Could it be because the party's status within the Pakatan Rakyat alliance begins to fade, that they choose to abandon their religious stand of racial and linguistic equality?

If even the Pakatan is losing its way, suffering from waning confidence and foregoing its multiracial principles, then the country will very soon be submerged under the fervour of racism.

Just as we are coming face to face with an economic crisis of global proportions, politicians should set their sights afar, and most importantly, on how to avert the impacts of the crisis.

If we continue to talk about quotas and stress skin colours instead of picking the best brains for the job, how do we expect talented Malaysians to stay here and serve the nation willingly?

In the face of the severe economic challenges, we need professional ideas and opinions from talented people regardless of race and religion. High-calibre professionals will never offer themselves if we insist to cling on to racial quotas.

The country has to be more open in order to lure strategic investments to our shores and elevate our international competitiveness. If we choose to remain conservative, the road ahead is bound to be tough and tortuous.

While we can still argue about racial issues now, once the economy gets worse, the consequences could be very grave, including serious threats to our social harmony. That explains why the latest survey by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy shows that Malaysia will be among the top in Asia Pacific next year in terms of political and social risks.

To put an end to the spectre of racism, we need to count on young people as well as our next generation, for only they can bury the racist politics through their ballots.

(By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew
2008.11.01