Jul

22

nelson-mandela.jpgAfter chatting with a friend about my blog, I realised that I need to be a bit more positive about things, and also more constructive.

Hence, after some reflection about my “apartheid posting”, I believe there is a better way forward for Malaysia. At least in terms of patching up racial relations between the different ethnic communities.

Actually, I started writing this posting yesterday but had to stop for lunch, meetings and so forth. Anyway, it’s just as well that I didn’t finish it yesterday because I just read Dr. Chandra Muzaffar’s comment in the NST this morning. Frankly, I am surprised Dr. Chandra still has so much confidence in the government and the Parliament.

He was suggesting all sorts of measures to ensure the independence and efficacy of the Institute of Ethnic Relations, which was proposed by the National Unity Advisory Panel. Moreover, research into ethnic relations was also suggested.

With all due respect to Dr. Chandra, if harmonious ethnic relations is what we want to achieve, then I very much doubt that the current administration under Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the “National Unity Squad” have got what it takes to make racial relations any better in this country.

Please let me be clear. I am not saying that the people in the Squad are not capable or do not have the interest of Malaysia at heart. Frankly, I do not know who half these people are, although I do note there is a former DAP politician in their midst. I am sure they are quite capable people, otherwise the government wouldn’t put them there. Indeed, even if the individuals cannot come up with good ideas, I am sure a 55-member panel can do the job.

However, my scepticism of Dr. Chandra’s suggestions stem from my belief that such projects come to naught if there is no politicial will on the part of the Umno rulers. And as far as I can see, these Umno rulers have no political motivation to share a nation with so-called visitors from foreign lands. Of course, we can debate about the origins of the Malays, Chinese and Indians, but that’s academic.

Now, the question is, what does it really take for us, as Malaysians, to bring the country forward, to achieve true nationhood, as one people, with one vision and one collective future?

The way I see it, on the one hand, the Malays resist sharing this country on an equal basis with the Others because they are afraid that they will lose out in the process, whatever “losing out” may mean to them. On the other hand, the Others (including the Chinese, the Indians, the Kadazan-Dusuns, the Ibans, the Temuan and all the other minority ethnic groups) either feel a lack of affinity to this country or are quite indignant about the whole unjust situation… and they feel quite helpless about it.

In simple terms, I would say that some sort of reconciliation needs to happen before we can move forward. And this sort of reconciliation must happen at the public and national level, not just between neighbours and acquaintances. A lot of major national issues that affect racial relations have not been addressed satisfactorily; e.g. the Federal Constitution and its flaws, the branding of Communists as Chinese, the tragic May 13 incident, the Chinese domination of the economy, the ugly Kampung Medan incident, the existence of mono-ethnic political parties and the Umno Keris episodes.

These issues must be addressed openly, not only in terms of a public discussion, but also approached with an open mind and open heart. Quite obviously, Malaysia will not be able to move forward in this area if we are not prepared to be bold and candid about how we feel, and acknowledge how everyone else is feeling, however justified the feeling may or may not be. The fact is, we all feel it.

Unfortunately, I don’t think the so-called National Unity Squad are prepared to do that. They seem to be more interested in highlighting the “achievements” of Malaysian racial relations for use as propaganda during Umno-BN’s election campaign. And even if they are willing to face the hard facts, will their political masters permit them to do the right thing?

If we are truly sincere and serious about improving racial relations in Malaysia, I propose we consider a royal commission with the mandate and confidence of the people. With the way things are in our political landscape, I wouldn’t even put my confidence in the current Parliament.

desmond-tutu.jpgThe members of this commission, although formally receiving their mandate from the King, should be nominated by the Rakyat, and appointed by the King in consultation with respectable world leaders like Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu and others who have experience in such reconciliatory processes. In other words, leave the local politicians, both the Umno-BN and opposition types, out of the whole thing.

It’s about time the Rakyat drive a process for their own good, and not let the politicians dictate the terms of our co-existence.


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1 Comment so far

  1. bobjots : redux on July 24, 2007 4:50 am

    Praying For The Nation…

    Taking a cue from Sdr. Jonson Chong, I thought that it might be good to post something on a more positive note as well. Despite the possible mess that some leaders in the NECF may have made (without discounting……

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