Change To Survive, Malays Told. But Will The Umno Government Let Them?

'Merdeka', 'Merdeka', 'Merdeka'. These cries of independence are set to reverberate nationwide when Malaysians celebrate the 51st anniversary of the country’s independence on Aug 31.

However, the celebration this time is amidst the turbulent political scenario in the country, in the aftermath of Malaysia’s 12th general election held last March 8.

The hurly-burly in politics was common in the growth of a country, however we must know how to differentiate between party-based politics and issues faced by Malaysians, especially the Malays, said the Chairman for the executive committee of the Malaysian Historical Society, Datuk Omar Hashim.

"This is most crucial. If a person is able to differentiate between these two issues, then he can make wise judgements.

"The political party’s mission or focus is to win elections, while the people want everlasting protection, peace, food as well as livelihood and self esteem," he told Bernama this in an interview here.

CRITICAL THINKING

Omar, who had served as the Education Deputy Director-General from 1985-1990, said Malaysians in general and the Malays in particular need to be able to think critically.

"Critical thinking is able to differentiate the good from the bad, the repugnant from the pleasant as well as the nonsense from the truth.

"Our education system has all of these in subjects like Arts, History and General Paper but we want to emphasise on the teachers and lecturers to focus more on this critical thinking," said Omar.

Omar is the principal figure behind the move for the Malaysian education authorities to take over the management of the SPM/MCE examination from Cambridge University in 1978.

He also played a key role in the implementation of the National Education Policy, in the efforts to reinforce the Malay secondary schooling and Bahasa Melayu under a general examination system.

CHANGE ATTITUDE

Omar also calls for the Malays to change their attitude and stand on their own feet.

Read the whole article HERE.

***** Datuk Omar Hashim may be sincere in his advice, but it is in the long-term interest of Umno to maintain a certain amount of ignorance among the 'chosen ones' as well as keep dependence on the government a permanent feature of Malay 'progress'. Beggars apparently can be trusted to show more gratitude than the well-heeled.

What will happen to the party if God forbid, all the Malays become industrious, self-sustaining individuals who actually start thinking for themselves instead of being force-fed on a daily diet of Umno propaganda and partially crippled by official pampering and government-distributed largesse? What a political nightmare that would be!

Critical thinking and attitude change may be good for the rakyat, but I don't think that the government is too worried about inculcating it right now. Nor do they feel the urgency. You see, the Malays have not yet reached the 'level playing field' and therefore are not ready for sweeping changes lah brudder! Perhaps by the next century. If they're lucky.

Bernama Disseminates News And Information 'Accurately', Says Najib

The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) plays a very important role in disseminating accurate news and official information, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday.

He said Bernama could take pride in its achievement.

"Most importantly, the information is conveyed accurately to the people in and outside the country," he told reporters when asked to comment on the 40th Bernama anniversary on May 20.

Najib will be the guest-of-honour at a dinner tomorrow in conjunction with the anniversary celebrations.

He hoped Bernama would continue to strive to enhance its commitment to be more successful in the years ahead.

"I wish Bernama a happy 40th anniversary," he added.

Bernama was set up under an Act of Parliament on May 20 1968.

Earlier, Najib launched the national-level Unity Month at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. (Bernama)

***** When the now consigned-to-oblivion info-dictator Zainuddin Maidin was in power at the Information Ministry, no none trusted any report that came from Bernama. However the current head honcho Shaberry Cheek seems to be making the right noises off and on although he appeared to be a little intolerant on the issue of 'live' telecast of Parliament's proceedings. Only time will tell if Bernama is indeed disseminating 'accurate news and official information'. But I won't place my bets on this happening in the near future.

Do You Believe This Najib Claim? - "Promises Not Just To Win Votes!"

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stressed Friday that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is not one that promises to do everything for the people just to win the general election on March 8.

"We can make all sorts of promises to win but we are a responsible government and only promise things that we can implement," the deputy prime minister said.

In the field of education, for example, the government had done what was best and every promise in efforts to enhance the status and commitment of teachers had been fulfilled, he said when opening a state-level seminar on school leadership here.

"In Malaysia, new teachers who have just started work, for example, can already buy cars and take housing loans. Teachers who serve in the interior are given allowances of between RM500 and RM1,000," he said.

As such, he wanted teachers in the country to give their full commitment to the government's efforts to produce a truly educated new generation capable of contributing to the dignity of the race.

Najib also wanted the school principals and headmasters to foster relations with the local communities to ensure full cooperation from all parties, including parents, in the students' learning process.

"If the principal or headmaster is dynamic and visionary, a team leader who knows how to get along with the local community, a transformational leader, then we can make a mega leap or multiple leap in the country's education," he said, ending his speech with a poem.

Jika Kita Bersatu Hati; Negara Makmur, Rakyat Cemerlang;

Lapan Haribulan, Hari Mengundi;

Membentuk Kerajaan Gemilang Terbilang. (Bernama)

***** What do we call the shameless propaganda in Bernama and the mainstream media if not devious attempts to win votes? What about dishing out goodies while strongly implying that a vote for BN is a vote for better things to come, while a nod for the opposition is the beginning of the end?

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"Blogs Don't Worry Me," Says Zainuddin Maidin

Malaysia's Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has said that the government will not be affected by blogs and other Internet forums that may be created during campaigning for the upcoming elections.

Mr Zainuddin insisted that while the younger generation are tech-savvy, they tend to believe newspaper reports over comments made on the Internet, China Press reported.

He added that the Internet is used mainly to book budget airline tickets or to get entertainment news.

He claimed that he is not worried that blogs and forums critical of the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition would affect its chances of winning the election.

Since independence in 1957, the multi-ethnic coalition has won every election.

He stressed that young Malaysians would not turn to the Internet for political news.

He said: 'My children are young professionals and enjoy surfing the Internet. But they don't read blogs.'

Mr Zainuddin pointed out that Malaysians are a mature lot and would rather give more credibility to newspaper reports than the 'gossipy news' on the Internet.

He said that while Malaysia respects press freedom and the right of expression, these liberties are not absolute and must be exercised responsibly.

Mr Zainuddin alluded to how sensitive press reports fanned the Sino-Malay racial riots in May 1969. (Electric New Paper, Singapore)

***** The above report very clearly demonstrates how out of touch Lord Zam is with the reality in Malaysia. The fact that he believes that the Internet is used mainly to 'book budget airline tickets or to get entertainment news' shows that he is not fit to be the information minister and holding that portfolio for this long has taught him nothing.

Almost laughable is his insistence that the younger generation tend to believe newspaper reports! Whatever gave him that idea? He must think that they are kindergarten kids who need to be spoon-fed and are unable to distinguish between government-sponsored lies and the stark truth.

Despite very strong government initiatives and the use of several laws to discourage independent thought and action, educated Malaysians have consistently made up their own minds about what to believe and what to ignore or discard as government propaganda. This includes the younger generation too, who probably won't think twice to give the likes of Zam the 'up yours' when exercising their right to vote.

Even those whom Umno has sought to keep in a perpetual state of ignorance and disinformation have started to see through the veneer of lies and deceit. These are the folks whom Najib would prefer to label as 'ungrateful'.
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"Don't Risk Future By Supporting Opposition," Says Zainuddin Maidin. Do You Agree With Him?

Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties representing non-bumiputeras play a most effective role in championing the cause of their communities within the BN government, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said here.

"It has been proven thus far that parties such as the MCA, MIC and Gerakan have played an effective role in representing the voice of the Chinese and Indian communities within the BN government," he told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year celebration here last night.

As such, Zainuddin advised the people not to risk their future by supporting the opposition political parties.

He said the BN government was sensitive to the needs of the people of all communities. (Bernama)

***** It is precisely because the various component parties have been relegated to the role of 'champions' of their own communities that the country is in such a state of disunity. Central to this divisive style of governing is the understanding among the various coalition members that Umno will be top dog whose writ will run throughout the length and breadth of this nation, no matter how unfair or corrupt their policies may be.

Zam lies just like Najib did by saying "the BN government is sensitive to the needs of the people of all communities." This is plain rubbish. Umno practices racism pure and simple and the others are unable to prevent it and are merely passengers in the train of government. What little they get is publicized as a gain for their communities which these political parasites then claim was obtained through the 'Barisan spirit of dialogue and sharing'. A vote for Umno is a vote for continued racism, discrimination, corruption and bigotry.
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Malaysian Chinese Pose Major Poll Test For PM

Under Malaysia's "social contract" hammered out by the nation's founding fathers, the majority Malays will have an unchallenged hold over politics in return for non-interference in Chinese domination of the economy. Today, ethnic Chinese are starting to wonder whether they have been shortchanged and are likely to put the long-standing deal to test in general elections expected next month amid growing fissures over race and religion.

Chinese businessmen in Penang, Malaysia's only state where Chinese form a majority, complain that government-linked companies (GLCs), almost all run by Malays, shut their doors to non-Malay businesses. "We cannot do business with GLCs because they favour those with Malay partners," said Khor Teng Tong, president of the 103-year-old Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He said Penang Chinese businessmen, worried about rising costs and a slowing economy, could snub Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling coalition in the polls. "In the past, support for the government was around 55-60 percent. This time, 45 percent is already considered good," he said. "So the government must work harder."

Malaysia is heading into one of its most racially charged election campaigns for many years, with ethnic Indians also complaining of unfair treatment at the hands of the government dominated by Malays.

GERRYMANDERING

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told Reuters last week racial tensions could contribute to a "slight dip" in support for the coalition, which is considered certain to return to power but with a reduced majority. Malaysia's worst race riots, in 1969, killed hundreds of people in the capital and led to the introduction of an affirmative action policy favouring Malays in education, jobs and business. No one is predicting riots this time around, but an emboldened Chinese opposition could force the government to soften its pro-Malay stance, analysts said.

Many of the grouses are about the pro-Malay New Economic Policy (NEP), which critics say has benefited state firms and a few well-connected Malay businessmen. The NEP has to a certain extent discouraged foreign investors. Even free-trade talks with the United States have stalled after Kuala Lumpur insisted that Malay firms continued to be given special access to government procurements.

Malays and other "native sons", who make up around 60 percent of the population, provide the main political support for Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation party (UMNO). UMNO is the bulwark of the 14-party coalition, which has ruled the nation since Independence in 1957. In fact, UMNO, which currently has 110 seats in the 219-seat Parliament, can form the government on its own.

Chinese account for a quarter of the 26 million population and Indians 7 percent. Ruling-party politicians expect the opposition to make greater inroads in Penang as well in other major cities. "In my view and from my feedback, this will be an anti-Barisan wind," said Chia Kwang Chye, Secretary-General of Parti Gerakan, which is part of the ruling coalition.

The main beneficiary will be the Chinese-based opposition party, the Democratic Action Party, which saw its heyday in 1986 and 1990 polls by riding on a wave of Chinese discontent then. "Penang will lead in the protest vote," Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow said, adding that it hoped to win 7 out of 13 Penang parliamentary seats in the coming elections, up from four now. "The only saving grace for Barisan is the opposition alliance is not able to get their act together," said Toh Kin Woon, a veteran Gerakan lawmaker.

Rights groups say Malaysia's elections have been marked by vote buying, the use of public funds by the ruling parties, gerrymandering and control over mainstream media. The Election Commission has also been accused of bias, which it denies. But the government has lately been wooing back Chinese support by dishing out an array of pre-election goodies. These include grants to build Chinese schools, land titles for farmers and cutting government red tape. (Reuters India)

***** The above report may give the impression that the Chinese are ready to act. Many will doubt that though. There is this tendency to be extra cautious when it comes to deserting the MCA and Gerakan and standing up on the side of the opposition.

The older among the Chinese electorate may not wish to rock the boat and may be willing to accept ruling party assurances that things will be better next time around. Feeling resentment, anger, disappointment and bitterness is not enough. Translating those emotions into a 'loyalty shift' is the tricky part. And are the Chinese really up to it? Or will they as usual chicken out at the last minute, preferring to keep what little they have rather than 'gamble' on the future?
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Hasta La Vista Tun Ahmad Fairuz

Court of Appeal President Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad was today made acting Chief Justice until the post is filled, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Department.

The move follows the retirement of Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim yesterday.

The statement said that according to the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (Act 91), if a vacancy occurred for the post of Chief Justice, the power could be exercised by the President of the Court of Appeal.

As such, Abdul Hamid will act in the post beginning today until the vacancy is filled. The post will be filled as soon as possible.

The statement said the Malaysian government thanked Ahmad Fairuz, 66, for his excellent contribution to the judiciary and the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi thanked Ahmad Fairuz for his outstanding contribution to the country's judicial system.

Speaking at a press conference with the country's two astronauts at his office here, Abdullah hoped Ahmad Fairuz would continue to make contributions in the interest of the country in future.

Asked when the post would be filled, the Prime Minister said "as soon as possible". (Bernama)

***** A right royal slap in the face for the government?
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Update: Tun Ahmad Fairuz's Position Not Discussed At Rulers Meeting.

Umno Youth To Battle The Opposition In Cyberspace

The Umno Youth movement will use the internet to ward off attacks by the opposition who are resorting to this medium of communication to woo voters in the coming general election. Its vice-head Khairy Jamaluddin said Umno Youth perceived efforts by the DAP to campaign via the cyber world as a serious matter as many of the internet users comprised the young generation.

“We concede that this is one avenue that we have not ventured into in totality. We have to address this matter in the near future as we know that the internet will be a popular medium of communication in the future. “Without the presence of the Umno Youth, we will lose support from the young generation who only look at the real world through the internet,” he told reporters when asked to comment on the intention of the DAP to use this medium to campaign in the next general election.

Describing the campaign using the internet as a major challenge to the Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery, Khairy said Umno Youth would monitor the message conveyed by the opposition via the electronic medium. This was because the information in the internet was more inclined towards sensationalism and its validity had yet to be ascertained compared to the mainstream print and electronic media, he said.

Asked on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s intention to sue him for describing the former deputy prime minister as a traitor and an agent of the United States, Khairy said: “I will not apologise for what I have said.” (NST)

***** Khairy and his motley group of hangers-on are welcome to the cyber world to present their case. However theirs will be an uphill task for they enter the fray totally devoid of any credibility or goodwill, except from computer illiterate Umno lackeys.

Dictating policies from Level 4 and making heroic 'maruah bangsa' speeches to fawning boot polishers is the easy part. Gaining some level of believability and respect in the goblok-sphere is a totally different ball game. Try it Khairy. It should provide the rest of us some comedic relief.
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Umno Capitalizes On Negarakuku YouTube Idiocy; Demands Regulatory Control Of Bloggers

Only a couple of days ago I had posted that "the direct beneficiary of this silly act is the government, especially Umno. They were looking around for a good cause which they could employ to rally all the Malays behind them. The usual sandiwara stuff has not been very successful thus far. Now this golden opportunity has landed on their collective laps and you can be sure it will be milked dry at the appropriate time. Wait and watch as the self-appointed guardians of bangsa, agama dan negara start spitting their venom, no thanks to this idiot in Taiwan."

Sure enough, the scheming mini-warlords at Umno Youth have started to rachet up the momentum and are baying for blood. Not only that of the Taiwan based student but of all bloggers! This YouTube mega-blunder is the type of ammunition which the ruling keris wielder types have been waiting for with relish. And boy are they happy!

Read the following report from Bernama.

Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today the time has come for regulatory control of bloggers who resort to unethical means to belittle the country's leaders and mock national symbols and instruments.

He said the movement would not tolerate anyone, particularly bloggers, who threaten national stability, harmony and traditional values of the country.

"Umno Youth warns that freedom has its limits and we will not tolerate those who touch on the issues of national stability, harmony, cultural values and the personality of national leaders," he said when opening the Subang Umno divisional delegates conference here.

Hishammuddin related how irresponsible bloggers had victimised him and his family by spreading slander and even published the picture of an indecently attired young woman whom they claimed to be his daughter.

On Malaysian mass communications student Wee Meng Chee, 24, in Taiwan who rapped to the Negaraku in a video clip, Hishammuddin, who is Education Minister, said the student had discarded the cultures and values of Malaysian society.

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Is Nat Tan's Arrest Umno Inspired Or A Police 'High Command' Order?

It had to happen sooner or later. If it wasn't Nathaniel Tan it would have been some other convenient and easy target. The simple truth is that the government and especially the Umno warlords leading it, are not comfortable at all with the freedom which blogs have given the average Joe. To the great dismay of our pemimpin2, Malaysians, once a voiceless people, subjected for decades to daily doses of government propaganda were at last empowered by the magic of the Internet and given free rein to publicly express their thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes. And they embraced this freedom with relish and gusto. The heady zest with which they indulged in blogging naturally worried the authorities who were unable to do anything to stymie it. To a government long used to force-feeding (mis)information, such considered, independent opinion being articulated by ordinary citizens, especially when such opinion was contrary to government claims, was unacceptable. But what could they do except bite the bullet and look on with apprehension and anger from the sidelines?

Apart from the occasional diatribe by the Information Minister and whinging from "setuju" screaming Umno underlings, basically no one else was much concerned in the beginning. However when socio-political blogs took off with vigor, garnered sizeable readership and the comments flowed in, much of it against government policies and actions, the authorities sat up and took notice. When of late, government misdeeds and corruption in high places were exposed and bloggers became more daring in their posts, the powers that be probably decided that they've had enough and should intervene somehow.

The unhappiness with and hostility towards Internet news portals like Malaysiakini had been there for quite some time as the politicians felt that such unrestrained sources of news, apart from revealing embarrassing information about government abuse and wrongdoings, would also set a precedent for others to follow and in the process government-created and perpetuated sacred cows may be trampled on and violated. As we now know all of the government's misgivings and worries on this score have come true.

Why is Nathaniel Tan being detained? Is it because of some serious wrong that he had done? Or is he being used as a stepping stone to trap a larger prey? Who could this prized catch be? Ever since the Inspector General of Police was named as being involved with underworld figures by Malaysia Today, there has been speculation that there would be a crackdown on the Internet media. The question was only when and how. 'When' is now and 'how' remains to be seen.

Is this arrest at the behest of the Umno leadership or is it a police-initiated action? Bukit Aman's servility to the government is well known but when the interests of the force and the 'good name' of their Ketua is involved, who can say that the police won't act independently? (The dust-covered IPCMC is a good example.) While it may have the tacit support of the government, there are those who feel that the IGP is directly involved in ordering this arrest and it is only a prelude for more to come, step-by-step until the one who exposed him and 'tarnished' his image and reputation, Raja Petra Kamarudin is safely ensconced in a bilik at Bukit Aman. Paranoid? Perhaps.

Here's wishing Nat a safe return to freedom.
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What happens during detention: Raja Petra's Experience In 2001.
Nat Tan

China Likely To Back Down On Bloggers Registration. Zainuddin Maidin Depressed?

This must be horrifying news for Lord Zam. Even the 'evil empire' has seen the light and backed down. Now where does that leave tiny little Zam on the world map of wannabe internet policemen?

Bernama this morning reported the good news (to sane people) while crackpot dictators in the making like Zam must have lost their appetite. That happy bit of news follows.

Following opposition from the industry and netizens, China is likely to discard long-harboured plans requiring the country's 20 million bloggers to register themselves, state media said.

A draft published by the Internet Society of China (ISC) encouraged bloggers to register their names with service providers instead of making it compulsory, China Daily reported.

Government departments have been promoting a real-name system for years, arguing it will force Internet users to watch their words and actions, and refrain from slander, pornography and dissemination of other harmful information, the newspaper said. But the proposal drew protests from Internet users and the industry, it added.

According to the ISC draft, those who voluntarily register themselves may still use pseudonyms and service providers must ensure the confidentiality of bloggers.

The draft was prepared by a group of blog providers and industry experts set up last October to discuss the development and regulations of the industry. China has 144 million Internet users as of March this year.

The China Internet Survey Report 2007 released in January showed the number of bloggers in the country had grown to 20.8 million with 3.15 million active writers.

***** Perhaps after reading of the Chinese decision, Zam would at least for a time lay off bloggers and concentrate on some qualitative improvement in RTM's programmes. (The only one currently praising RTM is Zam himself!) Maybe the time has come for Pak Lah to give a warning to him in the same vein as he did for Samy Vellu, to talk less and work more.
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There Goes Zam Again, Vilifying Bloggers Like A Man Possessed

Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin is increasingly beginning to sound like a man who seems as if he's not all there. While launching the Malaysian Press Institute's (MPI) new logo he very reasonably reminded bloggers of their responsibilities in maintaining harmony among Malaysia's multiracial society.

But then he upped the ante by saying that bloggers, being the so-called "citizen journalists", must not abuse the freedom given by the government and must be responsible in their writings and actions so as not to jeopardise the unity among the people. "We do not consider them (bloggers) as a threat but we do not want to return to the era where we depend on rumours (for news)." He as usual went off on a tangent, referring to his pet subject, the 'inviolable' social contract and his views on it which in his tiny mind should also probably be the national view, including those of all the leaders of every political party and every citizen irrespective of whether they subscribe to it or not.

***** Kindly take note of the several glaring untruths that Zam has spoken in those few sentences. As all of you know, the government has not given any 'freedom' to bloggers as such. Malaysians, like everyone the world over have been empowered, without government approval or blessings, by the creation of blogs to give their thoughts and opinion a public voice. In fact the reverse of what Zam says, would be nearer the truth, because if given half-a-chance people like him would very rapidly dismantle blogs and every other device which enables ordinary citizens to reach a large readership. This man would be fully satisfied and at peace with himself, if your only avenue of 'news' is from Utusan Malaysia, NST, RTM and Jabatan Penerangan propaganda. Banning the vernacular press and the rest of the 'decadent' English media and a total abolition of any platform even remotely resembling blogs would be the dream of dreams of this die-hard, reactionary old relic.

You can read the full Bernama report HERE
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Whacky Dictator Zam Goes Ballistic Over Press Freedom.

There he goes again foaming at the mouth, snarling and growling incoherently, ready to pounce on and tear you to shreds. No, not a rabid canine. I'm referring to our honourable Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin who according to Bernama has ticked off certain media organisations for 'abusing the transparency' of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by rekindling racial political issues.

He said the move could harm the 'social contract' that has been well received by the Malays, Chinese and Indians. (Notice how he assumes firstly that the so-called social contract agreed upon at Independence is similar to the currently hijacked bastardized version, which includes the eternal implementation of the aptly named and internationally notorious Never Ending Policy. Secondly he arrogantly presupposes that it is universally accepted and acclaimed by all Malaysians! Has this man taken leave of his senses?)

As if to underline and emphasize his inability to come to terms with a rapidly changing and more inter-connected and well informed world, he pathetically admitted that "to me, press freedom cannot go beyond the time-tested social contract!" Zainuddin said matters agreed to in the social contract should not be questioned by the media as the move would create adverse effects.

He expressed disappointment over attempts by certain media to highlight incidents such as the May 13 racial riots, Maybank's move to impose 50 per cent stake ownership by Bumiputeras in legal firms and the Parliament leaking roof issue.

Abusing the transparency allowed by the prime minister as the head of government could ruin the pillar of strength of Malaysians who have been living in peace and harmony, he said.

On the publication of a book on May 13 by former Petaling Jaya MP Dr Kua Kia Soong, Zainuddin said the book would only serve to arouse anxiety among multiracial Malaysians. He said although the Government had not banned the book authored by the former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee, certain media have reported that the book has been banned and has been sold off.

He advised the people not to be carried away by the negative views of certain individuals about the government through postings in their blog sites. "They try to incite the people's ill-feelings (through their blogs)," he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Zainuddin said the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced about 30 years had succeeded in nation-building. "The NEP has helped mould a strong Malaysian race by way of fostering racial unity which must be maintained at all costs," he added.

***** That claim by Zam is poppycock and he is merely attempting to perpetuate a myth. As far as I can see, the NEP has estranged the Bumis and non-Bumis almost irreparably. I wonder how racial unity can be meaningfully 'fostered' by officially depriving entire races without the slightest concern for the miserably poor in these groups who have been so very unfairly categorized as the 'haves' and made to suffer extreme poverty and torment all these decades? It is precisely the uncomfortable questions and unpalatable observations like those posted here which Zam wishes to conceal and totally suppress if possible.
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