The Malays care for Malaysia and the Government cares for no one except their families, friends and cronies
by Din Merican
You will note that I have changed the backdrop to my blog to show you that the Malays really care and are concerned about their country and their fellow citizens when they are apprised of the present state of affairs in our beautiful country. The picture provides evidence of this. Thousands of mainly Malays turned up at a ceramah umum in Kota Sarang Semut-Alor Star, Kedah recently to listen to Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Al Fadhil Hadi Awang.
The Malays are also very fair and decent people who have lived in peace with the Chinese and Indian communities for generations. They have not changed in this regard. This is because as Muslims they are educated to appreciate the true qualities of a Muslim : love of knowlege (ilm), compassion (ehsan) and justice (adil). Visit a kampong community and you will know that the Malays are a gentle people, ever courteous and kind to their guests. They cannot be made to look like simpletons (with due respects to Homer Simpson and his family), or easily manipulated by UMNO-BN.
I got this feeling from my recent rounds to our outback that the mood is changing and our brothers and sisters in the rural economy are feeling the pinch of rising prices, and recent shortages of cooking oil and flour. They know that more cost increases can be expected after the 12th General Elections. They know what is happening in Kuala Lumpur through their family members and their children and friends who are living and working here.
They are not easily taken in by government propaganda, which tries to paint a feel good picture of our economy, and extol the wisdom of UNMO-led government. The Lingam Tape and the recent Dr.Chua sex scandal, corruption and abuse of power (the huge commissions earned by a senior Minister and his cronies from the purchase of two French made submarines and Russian fighter aircrafts and the profits from the sale of land to Port Klang Authority earned by the UMNO-MCA leaders and their cronies) are known to them.
Today (January 11, 2008) in the main stream media, we are told of a second Nurin type abduction case, this time involving 5-year old Sharlinie Mohd Nasyar who was taken from her family in Teman Medan, Petaling Jaya. We are also made aware of “the fate of nearly 68,000 in-patients in government hospitals last year who were hit by a range of superbugs (perjats), many of which were resistant to antibiotics”.
So what is happening to our Boleh Land (Can Land)? We are not safe on the streets (hangbag snatchers) and roads (mat rempits),on the LRT (pickpockets), in our government hospitals (superbugs) and in the privacy of our homes and hotels (snooping ala Dr. Chua’s sex scandal). Times are really bad, yet the Government says we are doing great and lots of mega projects and corridors are being launched.
The question to ask oursleves is this: Are we really safe today than we were in 2004 or earlier? When there are sign of social problems, we can trace them to sheer incompetence and weak leadership. Does our man care? Perhaps, he is busy with his Vision 2057.
Let us make the change for a safer and better Malaysia.
Loading...
I have always believe that you like the other “malay” intelligentsia like Dr Farish, Dr Azly, Tunku Aziz etc have always taken a “malaysian” (not based on race) concept approach in writings but in this article you seemed to have deviated and have instead focus on one single community.
While I fully concur and appreciate the fact that my malay brothers are peaceful and fair people I dont see why your goodself, as a PKR multi racial representative dont at the same elaborate on whether the chinese, indians, sikh share the same characteristic.
Please do not read me as being overly sensitive in your writings – i am just voicing out my thoughts based on the fact that PKR is supposed to be representing all Malaysians; not a single race party.
As such, i sincerely believe that in our writings, our speech, our thoughts we should think Malaysians and act Malaysians rather than malay, chinese, indians and the rest.
And this should be especially pertinent where PKR is concerned. I root for PKR and I sincerely hope she will not turn up to be another Gerakan.
brianfong - January 11, 2008 at 8:19 am
Brian,
Please do not overact.
It is intended to remind our Malay UMNO nationalists that they should not play the racial card come the next elections. They are aware that other Malaysians in droves are abandoning their support for the UMNO-led BN in favour of the alternative coalition. They must now win the hearts and minds of the Malay voters, if they are to retain power.
At Kota Sarang Semut-Alor Star, Anwar told his predominantly Malay audience that race based politics must be a thing of the past. He said that all races in Malaysia have their rights as guaranteed by our Constitution, and that it was his duty as leader of all Malaysians to pursue policies on the basis of JUSTICE FOR ALL, and the crowd gave him a resounding yes.
If you think we will be like Gerakan, you are completely wrong. You have not fully understood what PKR stands for. Anwar Ibrahim is not that sycophantic or super ampu bodek Koh, the Chief Minister of Penang. He is a leader, not a follower for personal gain. He has strong principles and firm ideas of what is good for Malaysia. Even Tun Lim Chong Eu who founded the PGRM because on principle he could not agree with Tun Tan Siew Sin of MCA is probably disappointed in the way the Gerakan has turned out to be. Even some Gerakan party members are disappointed in the new PGRM President and have voiced their disagreement with him on national issues.
I am with PKR because it is a party for all Malaysians. I would not have it any other way. I am a political activist with PKR because I want to see an end to ethnic politics in a plural Malaysia.
Diversity is our strength and we must create opportunities for all. I believe in meritocracy, but I also happen to support the idea that those less fortunate than us deserve to be helped on the basis of needs, not race, colour or religion.
Thanks. Din
Din Merican - January 11, 2008 at 9:01 am
[...] Also by Din Merican, The Malays Care for Malaysia and the Government Cares for No One [...]
Anwar: If you are brave, let me contest « Jed Yoong - January 11, 2008 at 9:50 am
Yeah keep shifting the goal posts!
If BN/UMNO is allowed to win the General Election through dirty tactics of cheating and votes rigging, it will be not be Vision 2057 anymore. Maybe 2099 then!
2020 is 12 years away and looks like they can’t even deliver what they promised. What about PM Abdullah’s 2004 GE promises to clean up and eradicate corruption? We gave him a resounding mandate but he was sleeping on his job with no intention whatsoever to deliver what he promised! Four years on and nothing has happened yet he got the nerve to request for more time?
Too late, we don’t trust you anymore Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, you can ship off and ship out!
Jong - January 11, 2008 at 11:44 am
WOW,WOW,WOW that’s a nice impressive backdrop you’ve got Din! So they practically moved the whole kampong to hear out Anwar Ibrahim eh? Fantastic!
Kojak - January 11, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Brian,
Din was just highlighting the events at the Kedah ceramah, as well as describing the fallacy of the BN’s over-reliance on racist rhetorics to garner Malay votes.
So, yes – you are overly-sensitive based on your comments here.
Too self-absorbed in your personal thoughts and expectations of how PRK or Din should react/write.
Gary - January 11, 2008 at 7:58 pm
The election commission will make sure that bodohlah and gang wins the election come what may.
Malaysia is a gone case as even the judiciary has long been tainted with corruption.
The sad part about all this is that, we the people shoulder most of the blame for giving BN too much power for too long till they are able to “dismantle” every institution that’s suppose to function independently.
Neo - January 12, 2008 at 2:13 am
Thank you, Jong and Kojak.
Malaysians are listening now. They have been patient for 50 years. Patience is wearing out. Now that we have a leader who can unite us and a viable alternative government in waiting, the national landscape can change if voters support us.
If Brian is concerned, he should look at UMNO’s Malay focused agenda, not PKR’s. Ours will cut across the bounds of race, color and religion. Which party is playing the race card and who are wielding the keris, the symbol of “imagined Malay supremacy”, if not UMNO?. He should be worried about these zenophobic types.
Dennis wants to see our manifesto. I promise him that it will come soon and the PKR Manifesto will reflect our commitment to a Malaysia for all. He wants to know how we are going to promote strong economic growth, but he is skeptical.
What is his alternative? The UMNO-BN approach which is founded on more business as usual, or one which we will promote to encourage domestic entrepreneurs and foreign investors to invest here? But that is not good enough if we do not have good work ethics and integrity, if our institutions continue to produce graduates who are not employable and if our system of governance is weak and worse still corrupt. It involves a critical re-examination of our current affirmative action policies and prescriptions. These policies should empower Malaysians, not make them dependent on the state coffers. Our civil service and our Judiciary is in need of urgent reforms.
Fighting corruption is not as easy as Badawi makes it out to be. It is going to take us as Malaysians who are equally mea culpable to work together because corrupton involves both the giver or briber and the taker or the bribed. There will be political will on the part of PKR to deal with this societal scourge.
Some of these cannot be done within 5 years, but a serious beginning will be made. Dennis should be asking the present Government of Abdullah Badawi and insisting on answers from him and his Cabinet colleagues. He should also join in the effort to bring change, in stead of being negative.
Thanks. Din
Din Merican - January 12, 2008 at 2:43 am
Yes… Dennis is skeptical and so are a lot of disillusioned BN supporters. They want to know if you can deliver and how you will deliver.. In short they want more details about your plans for the future that are a bit more informative than ” more of the same”
Everyone with a brain knows the problems… its how to solve them that is lacking.
I’m afraid Din you are doing a lot to perpetuate the Great Malaysian Delusion…or how to bury your head in the sand and pretend nothing is wrong. There is much that is wrong with Malaysia by anyone’s standards and those things have been wrong for a long long time. But Malaysians refuse to see that
You say that Malays care about Malaysia, then you turn around and say that what is upsetting them is the prices of everyday items. To me that says all they care about is themselves. You say they have been patient for 50 yrs… I say they have been apathetic for 50 yrs. For the last half of which they were happy to be told that ” they never had things so good”… and like good muslims they believed everything they were told
They ignored the fact that the country’s institutions were falling apart around their ears, they ignored the fact that they were getting left further and further behind other developing Asian nations.
Malaysian politics has been a matter of buying a few votes here, lining your pockets there and telling the masses to shut up and let them get on with the business of misgovernment.
This is a rich country and could have a much higher standard of living with the best education facilities and health facilities on earth…Instead all you have is too many billionaires and too many people living in poverty or near poverty… and a history of missed opportunities
dennis - January 12, 2008 at 3:35 am
I agree with ‘dennis said this on Jan 12 2008 at 3.35am’, It is more difficult to right a wrong and many may not know exactly where to start. Even if the opposition comes into power there will be people blaming them for the wrongs that surface from the present govt. policies as some effects take time to show. The current situation is a build up of 50 years of mismanagement which did not show immediately, therefore, even TDM could get away scot free because he was smart enough to cover up and then hand over to the present PM who could not manage the situation that well. Thus the skeletons have come out from the closet. I bet many of the BN politicians who stepped down did so because they saw what was coming and decided to call it a day. Do you hear anything from TLLS or LKY or evem TDM? Why are they so quiet when the Malaysian sky is falling round us? I admire AI for his courage to come up and try to save and salvage whatever he can. His determination to work together with the other component parties that at one time were his direct opponents when he was in BN shows that he is ready to take criticisms of any kind. This is an indication of his genuine interest for the land he calls Malaysia and his sincere devotion to the call. Who else would like to go through all the torture and horror he went through all over again?
Shobhan - January 12, 2008 at 4:06 am
Dennis,
Never realised that you could be so prejudiced. I suggest you re-read what I wrote; this time make sure it is not with jaundiced eyes. Stop bitching about the past as you are as guilty as I for allowing our country to reach this stage of retrogradation.
Do something. Come into the arena, get your hands dirtied, take the risks involved in challenging powerful entrenched interests, and contribute to the process of rethinking strategies, formulating policies and designing programmes. So, I take exception to your statement: “I’m afraid Din, you are doing a lot to perpetuate the Great Malaysian Delusion.”
UMNO is the problem, not the ordinary Malays who are not part of the patronage structure that is now very deep seated in our political culture.The MCA and MIC too are very much like UMNO, favoring their cronies and families. If not, why Hindraf? If not, why the Chinese community is supporting PKR and DAP? It has nothing to do with being Muslims.
PKR made a stand that NEP must be replaced by an affirmative action policy that is needs, not race, based. The poor needs to be empowered. We need grassroots development not huge corridors (a real estate play) and ego boosting projects.
Thanks, Din Merican.
dinobeano - January 12, 2008 at 6:32 am
What happened to this nation the past 50 years was like a cruel joke! We Malaysians placed all our hopes in BN and were so blinded by their lies. For 50 years we voted the BN in every General Election. Now it’s a den of thieves and scoundrels! We have to admit that we are as much to be blamed for the rot and the sickening situation that we are in. We have allowed and given those corrupted buggers a ‘free run’.
Time to put a stop to it! So Dennis have you a better idea how we should go about it?
It’s easy for you to sit in the comfort of your room and let your fingers do the talking. Comeon Dennis, like what Din Merican suggested, do something, get into the arena, join the “united front”, dirty your hands and contribute your ideas. See what you can do for your country, don’t just talk! At least be appreciative of what PKR, DAP and PAS are trying to do, otherwise be content with the corrupt status quo, just vote BN again and stop bitching!
Jong - January 12, 2008 at 8:08 am
Hi Din
You are doing a great job.
Wish there can be more Malaysians like you.
Our first priority in the coming GE is to deny BN a two-third’s majority in parliament and the loss of a couple of state assemblies.
I encourage all Malaysians to focus on this immediate objective.
We must most of all be united in our battle with BN.
Olive, come and join us and I know we all can make a huge difference this time around. Din Merican
Olive Kwan - January 12, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Kudos for the backdrop change! I like it.
trademark registration - January 12, 2008 at 7:56 pm
[...] The Malays care for Malaysia and the Government cares for no one by Din Merican You will note that I have changed the backdrop to my blog to show you that the Malays really care and […] [...]
Top Posts « WordPress.com - January 12, 2008 at 11:59 pm
#
Yes… Dennis is skeptical and so are a lot of disillusioned BN supporters. They want to know if you can deliver and how you will deliver.. In short they want more details about your plans for the future that are a bit more informative than ” more of the same”
Everyone with a brain knows the problems… its how to solve them that is lacking.
I’m afraid Din you are doing a lot to perpetuate the Great Malaysian Delusion…or how to bury your head in the sand and pretend nothing is wrong. There is much that is wrong with Malaysia by anyone’s standards and those things have been wrong for a long long time. But Malaysians refuse to see that
You say that Malays care about Malaysia, then you turn around and say that what is upsetting them is the prices of everyday items. To me that says all they care about is themselves. You say they have been patient for 50 yrs… I say they have been apathetic for 50 yrs. For the last half of which they were happy to be told that ” they never had things so good”… and like good muslims they believed everything they were told
They ignored the fact that the country’s institutions were falling apart around their ears, they ignored the fact that they were getting left further and further behind other developing Asian nations.
Malaysian politics has been a matter of buying a few votes here, lining your pockets there and telling the masses to shut up and let them get on with the business of misgovernment.
This is a rich country and could have a much higher standard of living with the best education facilities and health facilities on earth…Instead all you have is too many billionaires and too many people living in poverty or near poverty… and a history of missed opportunities
dennis said this on January 12, 2008 at 3:35 am
i thought this blog was so apt…i felt it would be good for all to re-read it…
and my viewpoint?
..very much along dennis’ line of thinking that the malays have been very happy with the outrageous NEP policies for years and years…and have finally been awoken to the realisation that they have been shafted by their own kind…by UMNO/BN…
and now that its hurting their pockets..becos of the rising cost of oil and food…suddenly yet hesitantly…rousing to show their discontent…WHILE…
the other races have been discriminated againsts on all levels…education, economic, job opportunities..for so many many years…
now that their NEP crutches need maintenance and repair but the fairy godmother with the magic(duit)wand is no where to be seen…
of course i generalise with my observation…not ALL malays can be tarred with the same brush…but im still surprised and disappointed that the majority of the malays have been so silent while for decades the non-malays have suffered NEP abuse and discrimination…
im sure its not too late to unite us all as rakyat to surge forward 4 a new malaysia…
my fervent prayer tho is that my malay brethren do not sell their souls (and their votes)..again…when the trucks come round ladened with the BN cash and goodies…on the eve of election day…
ps. my prayers are also for the other non malays who have been feeding off the same BN truck of goodies…that they may see the light and vote with their hearts rather than their pockets!!!
nspirasi - January 13, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Neo, Denis and Shobhan,
I agree with Olive Kwan. Let’s get our priorities right and focus on denying BN a 2/3 majority in Parliament this GE and not put obsticles before we get to it. Nothing is impossible if we stay united and go for change.
Remember the difference between the impossible and the possible lies in our determination. Are we ready?
BeanKadok - January 13, 2008 at 6:37 pm
hi din – tks for the reply. i admit i was a tad overreacted but rest assured i have no sinister intention in my comments.
as i previously wrote you are one of my respected writer – ever consistent in your course and frank – that is why i thought i should voice my concern of my interpretation of this article – truthfully and solicit a reply from your good self rather than 2nd and 3rd guessing.
i am glad i am SO wrong
and that you are very much still the consistent and frank din i came to know from all your writings…
i read in your reply to dennis that PKR will issue a Manifesto soon and I am waiting with all zeal to read it.
the last person who issue a manifesto during a campaign trail in malaysia i think is Dr Chua Jui Meng. It was well written but unfortunately he did not win the party leadership.
i think the morale of the MCA story is a well written manifesto aside – the opposition must have sufficiently deep pockets to reach far and wide esp to the rural folks.
lastly i hope the PKR manifesto would include removing ALL repressive, suppressive and archaic law such as ISA, OSA, UCUA the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 just to name a few.
some of this act have protected unrestrained cronyism and nepotism which a genuine government with integrity and transparency should remove when they promise to fight corruption.
rgds – BF
brianfong - January 14, 2008 at 5:20 am
Guys, take one step at a time. Spread the word to our friends and families to vote in the United Front(DAP, PKR & PAS). Stay focus to deny BN the two-thirds majority in parliament.
Trust the United Front, give them a chance to walk their talk. We cannot be worse off than we are right now?
Guffaw - January 14, 2008 at 8:10 am
BN wins 53% of Parlimentary seats. Lost a few states to the opposition. ER imposed on suspicion of trouble. New rules are made. PAS and PKR joins BN. BN continues to rule.
Show us this is not possible!
Ambalaka - January 14, 2008 at 2:09 pm