Goodbye Malaysia

Reading the two articles made me sad. Both articles made me cry for being Malaysians as I thought all men are born equal. Not I that say it but the Constitution declares it but nevertheless Malaysia is in a sorry state as we are moving not forward but many step backwards.

Perkasa warns non-Malays to behave

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 - Malay right-wing group Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa today threatened that it would react to the actions of those who chose to question Malay supremacy.

President Datuk Ibrahim Ali said that for the sake of "the country, race and religion, I am willing to be detained under the Internal Security Act" should Malay rights be challenged.

The Malay nationalist politician warned non-Malays to behave, if not then Malays would repay in kind.

"If they are polite, we will be polite. But if they are not, neither will we. If they are kurang ajar (ill-mannered), we too can be kurang ajar," said the Pasir Mas MP to cheers from the thousand-strong crowd.

Ibrahim as president of Perkasa had last year also called on other races to adapt to the local culture of Malays as they have already been given many rights and freedoms in this country.

Today, he added that those who questioned the issue of the special position of Malays were not acting in the name of justice.

"The truth is that justice has not yet come to Bumiputeras who have spent centuries being oppressed by colonial masters," he said.

The former Umno leader said that in the past, Malays had been reasonable with the colonial masters but that they would not tolerate "our heads being stepped on."

"We will not tolerate Bumiputeras losing face or our honour. Especially Malays and Islam, do not ever try to play around with these," he threatened.

Dr M says Malays are under threat

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 - Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad played the race card today, warning the Malays could lose their political power.

The former prime minister told a gathering of more than 1,000 at a rally organised by right wing Malay group Perkasa that the community was under threat from "various parties" which he did not specifically name.

He said that the Malays were being unfairly described as racists who practised apartheid but he contended that the community was only protecting their own rights.

"Malaysians have forgotten about the nation's history and have abused the kindness of the Malay people."

"Malays are even called immigrants in their own country. Other immigrants cannot be called immigrants. If anybody were to call them immigrants then they must apologize but no apologies are needed if they call Malays immigrants," he said.

Dr Mahathir instead accused the Chinese educationist group Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ) as racists who practised apartheid.

"That is apartheid, not us. We proposed that everyone study together in one school then only can you have bangsa Malaysia.

"But they did not want this. They did not want to mix with the other races especially the Malays. They did not want their children to mix with Malays and that is apartheid, not us."

Dr Mahathir's administration had proposed the formation of Vision Schools to group national, Chinese and Tamil primary schools in one single compound, but his idea was opposed by DJZ and only a few such institutions were ever set up.

The former prime minister also defended the rights of the Malays to speak up for themselves.

"I would like to say a little bit about the Malay people in Malaysia even though I might be accused of being racist. If the Malay people are not allowed to speak about their problems then they might become a race that do not have any rights in their own country.

"These dangers are true because we can already see the pressure and insults against our people when they are made as minorities in their own community," he explained.

Mahathir told the audience that Malays were lucky because they held political control in the country.
"Even though the Malays were divided by different political parties, there were able to unite and retain power. Malays were respected and feared but now they no longer control the country's power.

"Nowadays people no longer respect us. Whatever is asked by others, even if they are winners or losers and even if they are right or wrong, we have to entertain them. We must respect others, even a little mistake we must apologize on behalf of the Malay race

GGMM Mohd Apis and lawyer ....You are so Wrong

Found this in Malaysia Insider and was a little surprised with the lawyer's understanding on the 'Ketuanan Melayu' issue. I must say that he fails to appreciate the constitution and that nothing in the constitution translated or gave strength to the word Malay Supremacy. I echo the views of Gerakan President to just change the words of Malay Supremacy or Ketuanan Melayu to that of 'hak keistimewaan orang Melayu' or Malay privileges. And I can assure Malaysians and Malays that Soi Lek had never in his wildest dream challenge Malay privileges. It was just Malay Supremacy.

And I reiterate here that I am not questioning the special position of the Malay, agama Islam or bahasa Malaysia.

In fact I will defend the constitution of this country and that would mean defending the special position of the Malay and the natives as stated in Art 153, Islam in Art 3, and the special position of Bahasa Malaysia in Art 152.

GGMM count me in and I will defend them.

I wish to further reiterate Article 8:
(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.
(2) Except as expressly authorized by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against
citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law relating to the
acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing

So please be clear Mr Mohd Apis and Mr. Lawyer for GGMM, you are so wrong.

Malay group wants Soi Lek to pay RM2 million for citizenships granted during Merdeka

By Adib Zalkapli

Dr Chua Soi Lek asked to pay RM2 million to group for remarks on Malay leadership and supremacy

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 - A Malay rights group is demanding MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek pay RM2 million in compensation for allegedly questioning the special position of the Malays.

Mohd Apis Johar from the Young Malay Graduates Movement (GGMM) said he was disturbed by remarks made by Dr Chua late last month, in which he said he accepted Malay leadership but not Malay supremacy.

"Before Merdeka, with a stroke of a pen, two million non-Malays were granted citizenship," the group's lawyer Khairul Azam Aziz told reporters.

MCA official Yap Chin Chin,partly hidden, receiving the letter of demand from lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam. Yap said that she would forward it to the party's leadership. - Picture by Choo Choy May

He added that the money would be donated to any organisation interested in the advancement of the Malay community.

In its notice of demand addressed to Dr Chua, the lawyer who acted on behalf of Mohd Apis, also urged the former Labis MP to retract his statement an issue a public apology.

"The statement of apology must be approved by us on behalf of our client before it is uploaded to your blog," said Khairul Azam in the notice.

He added that they would proceed with legal action if Dr Chua fails to comply with his demands.

GGMM also wants everyone to stop questioning Malay supremacy.

Its spokesperson Nik Rizman Sapian said the group is not linked to any political party but merely interested in defending Malay rights.

"For those who question Malay rights as stated in the constitution, we will not hesitate to take action," said Nik Rizman.

Earlier, the small group, who were outnumbered by members of the media, marched from the Ampang Park LRT station to Wisma MCA to hand over the notice.

The notice was received by MCA official Yap Chin Chin, who said that she would forward it to the party's leadership.

Dr Chua's remarks on Malay supremacy has drawn criticism from Malay leaders including Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who reportedly said that it would be better for BN component parties to join the opposition if they continue harping on the issue.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has distanced himself from his deputy by saying the remark is not the party's stand.

Why so MARAH about MARA?

Malaysia suddenly became very democratic. People of all walks are able to come out to the street to protest without the threats of ISA, or any other written laws. Yes, I was talking about the march by UiTM students all across Malaysia. It started from dear Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim who proposed a 10% opening of it's campus to non-bumiputra. The reason was very noble and at the same time wanting UiTM to explore these possibilities to further enhance it's quality. So is there any wickedness in his statement? I don't think so.

Then came UMNO politicians led by the Prime Minister and of course the Vice Chancellor himself states that opening up to non-bumiputra, "the last bastion of the Malay will be end". Wooo, that is not a good statement. Now that words alone probably causes many of it's branches nationwide storm to the street to demonstrate.

Having said that, let us now look at history of why UiTM was set up? It is closely linked to the development of the independent Malaysian nation. It began in 1956 as Dewan Latihan RIDA, the English created organisation known as Rural and Industrial Development Authority. This training centre some how became Maktab MARA (MARA College) in 1965. The name change meant that the college no longer operated under RIDA and instead became the most important unit of the MARA Training Division. Which all of us know that MARA would means Majilis Amanah Rakyat or in English, the Council of Trust for the Indigenous People. Subsequently the school was renamed as Institut Teknologi MARA in 1967. Its establishment came as a response to a need in Malaysia for trained professionals, especially among Bumiputeras.

ITM's development took three major stages: From 1967 to 1976, ITM was an autonomous body with its own 300 acre (1.2 km²) campus in Shah Alam, operating under the Ministry of Rural Development. From 1976 to 1996, ITM advanced as an institution of higher learning and not only a professional training institute, operating directly under the Ministry of Education. In 1996, an amendment to the ITM Act of 1976 put ITM on a par with all the other universities but its historical name was retained until 1999 which then called Universiti Teknologi MARA.

Though the University undergone name change several times, what is more important is the quality the University produced. My opinion is simple, to meet the threats of globalisation, we cannot rely on ourself any more. We cannot be seen to be comfortable and contented in staying in their own cocoon. There is always a need to explore the impossibilities and the surroundings and as such the opening up to non bumiputeras would serve as a positive direction to prepare local Malay to counter the threats of globalisation.

This issue is not political or racial. The whole issue is the extension of quality and the sharing of knowledge. Take UTAR for example. I know of Malay students excelling in UTAR or TARC. As we all know the majority in these University, College are Chinese. So what is the threat? Why are Malay afraid in allowing the last bastion to be breached. I always threat my Malay friends as Abang and we, Chinese as Adik.

Why don't the government go one step further in harmonising race relation instead of racial polarisation. So is racial polarisation makes Malays stronger? I don't think so.What makes Malay strong is to allow the Malaysian identity stronger. This is evidenced during the recent election, whilst I was campaigning as a DAP candidate, I never seen in my lifetime such uniqueness of all race working together in establishing a Malaysian race and identity.

The only problem is UMNO. Seeing Zahid Hamidi (Minister in the PM's department) on TV3 Buletin Utama, showing a threat is simply.... 'Ketuanan Melayu'. Don't they know that Barisan Nasional got their 2/3 whacked out because the voters are voting for a multi racial and religious Malaysia? All of UMNO leadership issued threats from the President, his Deputy, Vice President Ali, and the rest. Just the same ole same.... STILL LIVING IN THEIR COCOON...

Kerismuddin's Apology...is it?

"IF IT AFFECTED ANYONE..." OR "I APOLOGISE IF THIS HAS AFFECTED ANYBODY"... how you put it whether the 'IF' is in the beginning or the 'IF' word in the middle, that apology has a qualification and that qualification is 'ANYBODY AFFECTED'. I am now wondering, is Kerismuddin sincere. As a Minister that is in charge with Education, he must make an unqualified and unequivocal apology to all MALAYSIANS and resign as a minister.

Allow me to quote from the newspapers. One from the Star and the other is from NST. I put it in so that everyone of us can read it and understand better what was said by Kerismuddin. I quote...

"Today, we saw many things being talked about in earnest among the delegates," he said after chairing the first Barisan Nasional youth meeting since the general election last month."This included the issue of the Panca Warisan kris. I told them, I am responsible for what happened if it had in any way affected our performance.

"I apologise if this has affected anybody. I apologise to the non-Malays if they felt afraid of the symbol.

"To the Malays, I also apologise because I cannot defend the symbol of our heritage." (NST)

AND....

Apologising to all Malaysians for his action, he said: “If it affected anyone, I cannot run away from the reality of it. I apologise to the non-Malays and the Malays.
“To the non-Malays because of the fear to a symbol which was not my intention. And to the Malays for not being able to uphold their symbol of heritage.”
Describing it as a “sad lesson”, he said as a leader, he must be gracious and accept the consequences because the party came first. (the Star)

As a Minister he probably has forgotten that he MUST defend the Constitution and the Constitution through Article 153 read together with Article 8 states that all are equal before the law. Race based politics in this country is out dated.

In defending the Constitution, playing the racial cards must be stopped and be prohibited. What the Minister and his gang uttered during the UMNO general assembly is nothing more but seditious and warrant an investigation under the Sedition Act. What he has uttered or done whether intentionally or not is unMalaysian, unParliamentarian and unMinisterial for somebody who is tipped to be the future Prime Minister of a multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural.

So my advise to the Minister is SINCERELY apologise to all Malaysians and be more gentleman in admitting one's mistake without QUALIFICATION.

Who is the Traitor?

Big headed Gangster. That is my view on this super ultra new kid on the block. Why can’t he be just MALAYSIAN. The coming general election is definitely not about politics but the future of Malaysians as a whole regardless of race, religion and culture. A true Malaysian. A progressive Malaysian. What he has just declared is a step backwards that will make the Malays standing on crutches forever dominated only by the followings of UMNO. Malays joining UMNO is liken to be NOT “Di sini Tanah Tumpah Darahku, but instead, “Apa projek ada?” or “Apa benefit ada?”. That for me is simply a wrong sense of direction by UMNO.

------ Taken from the Star

Anwar a traitor to Malay cause, says Khairy

KUALA KANGSAR: Umno Youth has labelled Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – who was once head of the movement – a traitor to the Malay cause.

In making the declaration, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin said: “The (coming) general elections is not about politics but the future of the Malays.”

“Anwar is a puppet of the United States and the Jews, thus he must be hounded until there is no more place for him to run to,” he told a state Umno Youth gathering on Wednesday night.

Among the 5,000 people present were the wing’s former chief Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Information Minister, and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

Khairy said the movement was angered by Anwar’s persistence in wanting to do away with the New Economic Policy, a cause close to the hearts of the Malays.

“He wanted to abolish it simply because he wanted to win the support of the non-Malays,” he said.

In Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Khairy said there should be no more statements from any Barisan Nasional component party leaders concerning demands for extra seats for the parties.

He said the coalition’s success was based on the power-sharing consensus formula, which will be maintained.

“Umno Youth will not accept threats from the component parties that they will leave the Barisan if they fail to get additional seats,” he said, in an apparent reference to the People’s Progressive Party’s request for more seats in the coming general election,

“That’s unfair and it’s not the Barisan style. We always share and discuss, and we make compromises.

“We hope there will not be any such talk from the component parties,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting on preparations for a Merdeka Day youth gathering.

Bull's Eye

Well said. Tengku hits hard and sharp on the New Economic Policy (NEP). Indeed true that the Malays in the competitive world must realise that the protection and special privileges accorded to them by the government to develop them economically, are only a temporary. He described it as a "safety net". These are social safety net so that the Malays would not fall flat in going through the tests and pressures of life. There is a caution however that at the same time, they cannot continue to live in it for another 50 years or the Malay race be crippled and will have to use this social crutch till the rest of the Malay race. That will be a great hindrance for economic growth. The Malay race must learn fast so they need not depend on it forever.

The Malay race must desire progress. They must desire healthy competition and not depending on their social racial status of being Malay. I must agree with Tengku's view that they must move forward on their own accord and to scale greater heights. It is not that they can't do it but there is a lot of sheer hard work and understanding the social context.

The government cannot always help and there will be a time where the help will have to stop due to the global challenges and pressures arising from the many trade agreements like the Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) demanded the government to expedite the process so that the Malays would not continue to rely on incentives and privileges handed out by the government. A good example is our own local Iskandar Development Region or other development project of a high scale where the government will have no choice but to lift up certain strict conditions on Malay privileges to see great success for the future of Malaysia.

He also comment that though the NEP is to eradicate poverty and to uplift Malays' integrity and dignity in a short span of time, also seemed to have spared the country from racial turbulent during the 1997 financial crisis as was experienced by Indonesia and as reported by Bernama, the people's unity and harmony have earned respect and honour for Malaysia overseas as a model peaceful and harmonious multiracial nation, particularly at this crucial time when the causes of world conflicts are no longer due to ideological differences but owing to ethnic, cultural and civilization clashes.

Unwarranted Statement of the Year

Unbelievable and unwarranted especially it comes from a man who is the current education minister. As a Minister of an important portfolio and a former lawyer who have read the law and understand our constitution, he must know that Malaysia is never an Islamic State except that this is a country where Islam is the official religion.

Hisham's threat and warning is nothing short of political speech and ploy trying to win the hearts of the Malays just like his cousin, the DPM recently. I guess UMNO is trying hard to win the hearts of the Malays. Now coming back to his statement, he feels that it this will cause tension. Now what is the tension about and who creates the tension first? Who is the one that cause all the disunity and the disharmony among all race? Who is the one that divides each races with such discriminating policies? The answer is staring at our face. Not the opposition parties, not the NGOs BUT they that have spoken and threaten all Malaysian. I remember every time when there is an election, somebody from the 'dacing' must say '1969'. AND every time in their general assembly a dagger is raised.

Therefore, Hisham's threat is nothing but a mere political wayang kulit. Why can't he and his cousin just shut up. Can't they just accept that Malaysia is a nation of many religion and culture with the various races across the country, such as Malay-Chinese-India-Eurasian-Kadazan-Iban-Sakai- Negrito and the others. The late Tunku must be MAD and FURIOUS if he is still around for he himself had declared that Malaysia should not be an Islamic State. This country must be defended with all cost.

Amazing Fact by Ali Gostan

I read this with the amazement of my 'friend' Ali Rustam aka Ali Gostan. This is the most outrageous statement of the year. He says and I quote "It is easy to become a Malay" and he continues, "Even if that person is Chinese or Indian or Kadazan, if they are Muslim or have converted, converse in Malay and follow the Malay tradition, then they are Malays." I find it amusing because the religion and the race are always kept distinct and separated. It has always being the case. So with his exclamation, it is to mean that as a Malay wouldn't it be the same as being a Malay bumiputra and thus accord the privilege as stated in the Constitution of the Federation. I have friends who had converted and yet do not have the privilege of being a Malay even though they converse in Malay, accepts the Malay custom and culture and yet the law refused to accept them to be a Malay under the Constitution. Weird?

----

©Daily Express (Used by permission)

Kota Kinabalu: Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Rustam said a person who is a Muslim, converses in Malay and follows the Malay traditions is considered a Malay.

"It is easy to become a Malay," he told a Press conference after Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman opened the Dunia Muslim Dunia Islam (DMDI) seminar, here, Saturday.

Elaborating on why Musa had said that more than 50 per cent of the State's nearly three million population are Malays, Mohd Ali, who is also DMDI president, said:

"Even if that person is Chinese or Indian or Kadazan, if they are Muslim or have converted, converse in Malay and follow the Malay tradition, then they are Malays."

"The Kadazans if they are a Muslim, we considered them as Malays, and if they have not embraced Islam, they are Bumiputeras. It is easy to become a Malay."