What we have observed recently in Malaysia, is our majority race imposing their will on minorities. We have a minister who said, 'If you are unhappy with the political system, leave the country.' More recently, with the Allah issue, someone has suggested that for those who cannot accept Islamic values, then they should leave too.
What seems surprising is that we did not have such problems before, so why now? There must have been a major change in mindset of the leaders which led to this state of affairs. Why? Because of Umno party elections, which decide for us, who should be PM, DPM and other senior ministers. Candidates for positions such as President, Deputy President and 3 Vice Presidents would go all out to ensure their victories, which ensure their respective positions as powerful leaders of Malaysia.
By now, after so many years under Umno rule, we have come to expect incumbents as well as aspiring candidates to play their racial and religious cards so that they can get the necessary support from the delegates. Without fail, we notice the transformation of leaders who had been inclusive before (in order to gain support from voters during GE), becoming totally different creatures at Umno meetings. Had they been reasonable, it would have been palatable. But recent statements seem to suggest anything but. It is a 'take it or leave it' attitude thrown at the minorities.
Under normal circumstances, the majority race of a country is likely to be self-confident, caring and even magnanimous towards the minorities. The origin of affirmative policies elsewhere, was for the protection of minorities, not majority, since the latter have political power and control. How different it would be, if the majority race could be less domineering when making policies and in implementation.
I wish to provide a personal example of how things can change for the better (or at least fairer), if only the majority takes the initiative:
My father's distribution formula for 6 sons and 3 daughters was: each son had one share and each daughter had half share, based on and influenced by customs and tradition. But my mother wished for equal share for all. She asked me to prepare her will which appointed an elder brother and myself as executors. Both of us did as instructed, but to the displeasure of another brother when the will was disclosed after my mother's demise. The moral of the story? Both of us (and other brothers had to) were prepared to accept a smaller share each because of the change in distribution formula. The amounts involved were nothing to shout about, yet my sisters were so grateful to us, just for being fair.
When my elder daughter wished to study in UK (because she was born in Malaysia, and heard so much about her brother's first few years there), we had to forgo trying for local scholarships offered by our government. Though we had our doubts about the fairness in the decision-making process, she could have been successful, even if the course offered might not be the one preferred. Some of her school mates with lesser results were successful and most people would compare and note that we had been foolish in not trying for government scholarship. But when I thought of someone else getting a scholarship because she did not apply in competition, instead of envy, I felt good about it! It all depends on our mindset.
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What seems surprising is that we did not have such problems before, so why now? There must have been a major change in mindset of the leaders which led to this state of affairs. Why? Because of Umno party elections, which decide for us, who should be PM, DPM and other senior ministers. Candidates for positions such as President, Deputy President and 3 Vice Presidents would go all out to ensure their victories, which ensure their respective positions as powerful leaders of Malaysia.
By now, after so many years under Umno rule, we have come to expect incumbents as well as aspiring candidates to play their racial and religious cards so that they can get the necessary support from the delegates. Without fail, we notice the transformation of leaders who had been inclusive before (in order to gain support from voters during GE), becoming totally different creatures at Umno meetings. Had they been reasonable, it would have been palatable. But recent statements seem to suggest anything but. It is a 'take it or leave it' attitude thrown at the minorities.
Under normal circumstances, the majority race of a country is likely to be self-confident, caring and even magnanimous towards the minorities. The origin of affirmative policies elsewhere, was for the protection of minorities, not majority, since the latter have political power and control. How different it would be, if the majority race could be less domineering when making policies and in implementation.
I wish to provide a personal example of how things can change for the better (or at least fairer), if only the majority takes the initiative:
My father's distribution formula for 6 sons and 3 daughters was: each son had one share and each daughter had half share, based on and influenced by customs and tradition. But my mother wished for equal share for all. She asked me to prepare her will which appointed an elder brother and myself as executors. Both of us did as instructed, but to the displeasure of another brother when the will was disclosed after my mother's demise. The moral of the story? Both of us (and other brothers had to) were prepared to accept a smaller share each because of the change in distribution formula. The amounts involved were nothing to shout about, yet my sisters were so grateful to us, just for being fair.
When my elder daughter wished to study in UK (because she was born in Malaysia, and heard so much about her brother's first few years there), we had to forgo trying for local scholarships offered by our government. Though we had our doubts about the fairness in the decision-making process, she could have been successful, even if the course offered might not be the one preferred. Some of her school mates with lesser results were successful and most people would compare and note that we had been foolish in not trying for government scholarship. But when I thought of someone else getting a scholarship because she did not apply in competition, instead of envy, I felt good about it! It all depends on our mindset.
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