Najib's 'No Racism' Warning Is Just Another Sandiwara

Come of it lah brudder! You can't fool all of the people all of the time. Najib knows those wise words, but hey what's another lie for a person who by nature is a deceiving trickster? When our PM came out with the warning about racist remarks in public, my first thought was whether he was referring to the recent imbroglio involving two utterly stupid makcik masquerading as headmistresses or had he by any chance grown a ball or two and decided to caution that supremely ugly Malay supremacist Ibrahim Ali.

But having an inkling about the devious ways in which this man operates, the thought crossed my mind that he may have actually been targeting MCA, Pakatan and ordinary non-Malays for commenting on free speech, more rights for everyone and basically wanting a more just and equitable Malaysia. Non-Malays asking for a fair deal and true democracy is in Umno's world nothing but pure racism and sedition and the 'racists' should be subjected to lynching.

So I wouldn't give much thought to Najib's admonition. It's a waste of time and energy. He is simply not going to lift his pinkie and he won't specifically target any one Malay individual or group spewing racist venom. If it's to his advantage he may even arrest Chua Soi Lek but Umno connected Malays are apparently above the law.

Meanwhile the country is fast going down the slippery slope and national unity is but a far distant memory. I'm seriously thinking of moving to Singapore at least for the sake of my kids. To be sure racism does exist in Singapore too but not the increasingly venomous kind that you find here. The final straw for me was when almost the entire top leadership of Umno both in and out of Cabinet, except for Khairy and Nazri, kept absolutely silent in the wake of a tsunami-like uproar from the public. That the Umno leadership condones such ignorant racist talk is very apparent. Downplaying the issue like what Hishamuddin did as well as the dismissive attitude of that educated idiot Alimuddin Mohd Dom, DG of Education only made matters worse.

Everyone knows that our education system had gone down the longkang decades ago. What kept it propped up for a long time was the pool of dedicated and talented teachers from all the races. As the last of this group of educationists retired over the seventies and early eighties we and our children were set upon by a massive horde of locally trained 'teachers' almost exclusively Malay. We and our nation have yet to recover from the trauma of this onslaught. The racist Hajjahs in Johor and Kedah are merely two examples of an entire generation of BTN indoctrinated goons let loose in our schools to maraud as they wish. In the process all pupils, both Malay and non-Malay, have been deeply affected and their future jeopardised. Those in Chinese schools, accused of producing social skills disadvantaged, exam passing automatons had at least escaped this mediocre fare dished out in sekolah kebangsaan. At least for a short period in their vulnerable lives they had been spared the ravages of racism spooking the classrooms of our 'national' schools.

And please don't expect that Najib will suddenly have a change of heart and perform a miracle. He won't. What we need is not a change of heart but a change of government.

Why The Umno Inspired 'May 13, Melayu Bangkit' Rally Will Be A Damp Squib

10,000 members from 45 Malay non-governmental organisations with the purported aim of 'uniting' the Malays, are scheduled to meet in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow. They will gather to 'commemorate' the 41st anniversary of Malaysia's second most tragic event, eclipsed only by that greatest Malaysian horror of horrors - the ascension of Dr Mahathir to power as prime minister.

While the facade will be that of Malay NGOs, independently and with the future of the Malay race (whatever that may be) uppermost in their thoughts, 'berjuanging' and raising to hysterical proportions the spectre of the great Chinese threat to their immediate existence, behind the green screen will be the devious, puppeteering Umno hand -- the very hand that feeds contracts, plum positions, goodies, freebies and cold cash to this avaricious bunch of greed merchants populating these NGOs. Why do you think that there are hundreds and hundreds of Malay NGOs ostensibly 'berjuanging' for the same cause? Why the numerous duplication of Malay badan2 for the same cause cé·lè·bre? It's all about the money. Period.

These fake 'strugglers' for Malay rights couldn't give two hoots for the average Malay on skid row as long as their bank accounts, wives and brand new luxury cars are well cared for. They are frauds who without a second thought place expediency above principle, opulence above mundane matters of standards of right or good conduct. And in the process they lead the illiterate, the blind and the plain uninformed among otherwise well meaning Malays to the poisoned well of racism and urge them to drink from it, demi bangsa, agama dan negara.

These are the genuine traitors to the Malay race. These are the real enemies who have over the past decades slowly and steadily pushed to the abyss, in Tanah Melayu, successive generations of unsuspecting, blissfully ignorant Malays. And up there, standing at the very pinnacle of the tower of duplicity and trickery is the high priest of intentional perversion of truth, the purveyor of expediency, deceit and cunning, the Machiavellian manipulator and symbol of everything that is wrong with Malaysia, racist par excellence, then, now and forever, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (Taxonomically it is very difficult to determine and classify the species from which he originates, but the world's most venomous snake comes to mind)

There was a time when this 'Melayu Bangkit' chicanery would have worked wonders. That was during the dictatorial rule of our very own Robert Mugabe, Dr M. And it would have had the intended effect of rousing Malay passions unnecessarily. But alas those were the days my friend and Mahathir thought it would never end. But his era of total domination is gone for good, never to return, thank God. But his worldview apparently hasn't changed even a teeny weeny bit and he is poised to head the blood chants tomorrow, leading 10,000 greedsters and buffoons whose days of basking in the limelight have long gone past the expiry date. These extreme right wing egomaniacs and assorted nutcases would be a sorry spectacle to observe come tomorrow.

Of course we can expect the ultra racist Utusan Malaysia to trumpet the great 'success' of this rally of 'super patriots'. Can one honestly expect Utusan to say that celebrating the bloody riots which killed so many Malaysians is a sign of mental illness and all those gathering in KT are perverted sickos? What else can Utusan do except continue bullshitting to its subscribers in the same vein as in the past? Utusan does not know anything else. It's main reason for still being around is to cheat and connive along with Umno and continue defrauding the more gullible among the Malays.

And lurking in the shadows will be Najib, awaiting any political dividend from this unholy rally of the walking dead. Oh yes, he will at the same time be preaching 1Malaysia in Sibu, attending functions at some Chinese tokong or school, spreading muhibbah around like so much confetti, pretending that he does not have a clue about what is going on in KT. He would of course be aware that many well informed Malaysians know full well about his machinations. But he could not bothered. The end justifies the means. He'll do anything and everything to achieve his ambition. And if he has to lie, cheat and manipulate, so be it. He has been there, done it. It's in his very nature, it's in his blood.

Fortunately this time around such acts of inanity would not be left unanswered. The age of the Internet would assure such rallies would be condemned for what they really are - politically provocative sandiwara. PAS for example has strongly taken to task Umno for their hand in this basically silly venture and that puts paid to Umno wingnut plans to 'unite' the Malays. Malay voices of reason across the political spectrum too have done their part in exposing the true reasons for this misadventure.

Of course there will be those, who despite every evidence to the contrary, will continue to see a grave Chinese threat to the Malays and would wholeheartedly support the wingnuts. That is their privilege. But most of us would more or less opine - "Thanks, but no thanks. Keep your racist agenda to yourselves."

**** Update 5.30pm: May 13 rally called off (According to one of the organisers, “we had decided to postpone it after we were instructed by the country's top leadership, who are worried about the security situation." So these 'super patriots' DID take instructions from the top Umno gestapos. I'm sure that the Sibu by-election must have loomed large when they made the decision to stand down. 'Nuff said)

Racist Ignoramus Nasir Safar's Political Future Will Reveal Najib's True Intentions

By now the buzz naturally is the racism filled tirade by the psychiatrically predisposed(?) Datuk Nasir Safar, (the ugly bloke's pic is above) special officer to the prime minister. So filled with racist venom is this man, that he with such stupidity, spat it with a violence normally associated with cobras, of all places at a mulitracial gathering, a '1 Malaysia' seminar in Malacca! It certainly raises doubts about the state of his mind when he threw caution and common sense into the tong sampah and gave a lecture, which by past experience should have been reserved for a meeting of the wingnuts in Umno along with the currently in vogue Perkasa and assorted inferiority complex laden loonies or at an 'exclusive' BTN taklimat.

What is with Malacca that makes these crazies flip? On 15th October 2007 the other racist dunderhead, Malacca CM Mohd Ali Rustam spoke at a mulitracial convention of the PPP in the historic town where he basically told the delegates that Umno does not need non-Malays to govern the country! He declared that his party has ruled Malaysia for 50 years, they can rule for another 50 years more. And Umno does not need PPP, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Sabah, Sarawak or anyone else to do this and that they can take a hike. That Umno got drubbed five months after his speech in the March 2008 GE shows the disconnect between his racist logic and the reality on the ground. Yet Umno delegates in the last party elections overwhelmingly supported him and would have voted for this fellow, making him our next deputy PM if only he was not suspended for election fraud! Not that Muhyiddin is any better.

But I digress. Within hours of Nasir Safar's ill-fated speech the heat became too much to bear and the poor sod had to resign, presumably only after being ordered to do so by Najib, because I'm sure in his tiny little racist mind Nasir probably felt he had done no wrong. In fact some others at the PM's office felt the same too. For example read this interesting bit from Bernama -- "The remarks allegedly made by Nasir does not in any way reflect the views of the Prime Minister. Datuk Nasir never intended to make any derogatory remarks. He spoke at length on the contributions made by all races in developing the country. Nevertheless, Nasir apologises for any offence caused. In light of this, Datuk Nasir will tender his resignation." A bloody cold and heartless statement. No sign of remorse or disappointment and not even an acknowledgement that the 'special officer' had drastically crossed the line of decent discourse. The crux of that PM's office bullshit is "well, Nasir did not do any wrong, in fact he's a decent chap who actually even praised the non-Malays, has no malice towards them even if he may have said a few harsh words although that was not his intention. In any case if you non-Malays out there have 'misconstrued' his good intentions, he says he's sorry and quits. By the way Nasir's speech does not reflect the PM's views." Haa!

If Najib seriously considers his special officer's act as a very wrong thing to do, then he should put Nasir permanently to pasture. But I doubt that very much and I hope that someone who can, should keep track of Nasir Safar's future from now on. There is every chance that over the next few weeks or months he'll quietly surface not far from the centre of power, perhaps even more strong and respected by his peers. You see what Nasir Safar so foolishly blurted out in Malacca has much resonance not only within Umno but also amongst a significant portion of the general Malay populace because of the party's unrelenting racist propaganda through its media machine including Utusan Malaysia and government apparatus such as BTN. In fact his speech may serve to provide much needed galvanizing power for Umno vis a vis the Malay public.

Nasir Safar will be rewarded by Najib et al because in the convoluted mind and perverse logic of Umno style racism, he is a Wira Bangsa like Mohd Ali Rustam, provided he doesn't get too big for his Bata slippers. In what form and shape that reward will come is something for us to wait and watch. Only then will we know the true intent of Najib's 1Malaysia propaganda. And please don't forget that by his racist outbursts Nasir has at least temporarily shifted the focus from other issues dogging Najib such as the Allah controversy. That should please the PM for a while. Also do remember that even if by a very rare pang of conscience Najib were to allow Nasir to drift to Gilligan's Island, there is always good old Muhyiddin who may with undisguised glee throw him a lifeline and keep him in good humour along with other like-minded comrades in arms, while waiting for the opportune moment to make his own strike.

The Mocking Of Umno's 1Malaysia Government Over Allah Issue Has Started

The above picture speaks for itself. We are very quickly becoming the laughing stock of the civilized world, including our own thinking public. Very sad indeed.

There's Nothing Easy About Pluralism And No Simple Answers

By Daphne Bramham, Vancouver Sun

Pluralism is difficult and few are more acutely aware of that this week than Jordan Smith, whose jaw was wired shut this week following an unprovoked attack on Davie Street where he was walking hand-in-hand with his boyfriend.

Nirmal Singh Gill's family knows how hard it is as well. Gill was beaten to death a decade ago in Surrey by five neo-Nazi skinheads.

Hate-based crimes are rarely reported in Canada. But fear of difference cuts many ways and people who are attacked often won't report.

Pluralism is something Canadians chose. Canada is a multicultural, multi-ethnic and religiously diverse country and has been since the merging of French, English and aboriginal people.

But Canada is not unique. There's scarcely a country that is homogeneous. What sets countries apart is how they deal with pluralism.

Malaysia, where I spent most of the past month, also boasts that it is a multicultural country. Unlike Canada, the 51-year-old country suffered both race riots and internal guerrilla warfare in the 1960s.

It has an official policy of separation and segregation in dealing with its four major ethnic groups, which are also differentiated by religion in the officially Islamic country. The majority of Malays are Muslim. Chinese and indigenous people are mostly Christian and the Indians are mainly Hindu.

The Muslim Malays (bumiputras, as they are called) are favoured when it comes to jobs, university enrolment and government contracts. The government requires publicly traded companies to have a minimum of 30-per-cent "bumiputra equity." There are separate schools for different races and race-based political parties.

But these policies now appear to be threatening not only the viability of the current government, but Malaysia's peace and stability. And so far, the government's response has not been to amend its policies. Rather, in its desperation, it is jailing its critics.

In mid-September, Ahmad Ismail (a Malay politician from the ruling UMNO coalition) described Chinese-Malays as power-hungry immigrants and "squatters."

Ismail completely ignored the fact that many Chinese-Malays' ancestors arrived several hundred years ago.

Even though Ismail's comments put the fragile government coalition of Malay, Chinese and Indian parties at risk, he refused to apologize. His only punishment was to have his party membership suspended for three years.

But within days of his comments, two journalists -- one from a Chinese-language daily and another from the influential online Malaysia Today -- were jailed under the draconian Internal Security Act, which allows for 60 days detention without trial. Also arrested on the same day was a Chinese-Malay(sian) member of parliament whose alleged offence was supporting some constituents' request that a local mosque lower the volume on the daily calls to prayer.

All three were accused of inciting racial tensions.

Read the whole report HERE

Race Relations Act Won't Solve Problems. Treating All Malaysians Equally Will: Jeffrey Kitingan

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has urged the government to reconsider its move to draw up a Race Relations Act.

He felt that race relations should be nurtured and promoted, not forced through the use of legislation.

He said the more the government enacts laws to force race relations, the more sensitive and problematic it will be to promote good relations among the various races in the country.

“Enacting laws on race relations is, therefore, not the best way to solve racial sensitivities in Malaysia,” said Jeffrey when commenting on a recent statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar who said the government would draft a Race Relations Act to safeguard and strengthen relations among the different races in the country.

Syed Hamid said the formulation of the proposed act has been agreed upon by the cabinet, and the task will be headed by the Home Ministry and Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

If the government was serious and sincere about solving racial sensitivities, Jeffrey said the best way is to promote the universal concept of social justice and respect by treating all Malaysians equally.

He said this would mean that Malaysia might have to dismantle and do away with racial-based politics and political parties.

Instead, the country would have to promote multi-racialism and the concept of a Malaysian national identity or Malaysian race, he said.

“As long as we continue to politicise race through race-based politics and political parties, no amount of legislation will solve racial problems and sensitivities,” Jeffrey cautioned. (The Borneo Post)

***** As long as Umno leads the country there will be absolutely no way of improving race relations because it is in the interest of that corrupt party to maintain hostility between the different ethnic groups.

However we can all make a genuine effort to unite the nation by joining hands and helping in booting out the racist bigots who have plagued this country for decades. We don't need a Race Relations Act. We merely need to kick out the racists from continuing in power.

Scare Mongering And Demonising - Umno's Answer To New And Alternative Ideas

SHARING THE NATION
By ZAINAH ANWAR
We are 51 years old and we still do not know how to disagree rationally, civilly, and intelligently.

In Barack Obama’s inspiring acceptance speech at the recent Democratic National Convention, he used a line that I felt also described the state of public debate on contentious issues in our country: “If you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters.”

Over the past few weeks we have had an overdose of this display in Malaysia. We are 51 years old and we still do not know how to disagree rationally, civilly, and intelligently.

From the reaction to Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s proposal that 10% of Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) enrolment be made up of non-bumiputra and international students, to the Bar Council forum on conversion to Islam, to the PKR’s Malaysian Economic Agenda, those opposed to alternative ideas could only respond in the only way they knew best – scare mongering and demonising.

Why the fear of open discussion on issues of public interest?

Why fly the flag of ethnicity and religion, questioning someone’s ethnic and national loyalties and Muslimness every time a person comes up with an idea that you do not agree with or you do not know how to counter with a better idea?

Be it the issue of affirmative action for the Malays, Islamic laws and policies, Chinese and Tamil education, those who anoint themselves as protectors of these sectional interests tactically reduce any attempt to discuss and redress the impact of these policies on citizens’ rights and national aspirations as moves that, in the end, will kill the special position of the Malays, the legitimate rights of the minorities and the mother of all accusations, constitute an insult to Islam.

These so-labelled traitors to the cause should therefore be detained under the ISA or charged under the Sedition Act or be declared an apostate.

This is not the way to move forward in our search for solutions to the dire challenges we face today. That among those most obstructive and most belligerent are political leaders themselves turns this into a dangerous game. In the contest for power, it is easy to resort to race and religion to demonise your opponent and totalise the discourse by defining differing viewpoints as evil and dangerous.

As Obama said in his speech, one of the things that we need to change today in our politics is “the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other’s character and patriotism”.

Misleading accusations

To accuse Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tan Sri Khalid as traitors to the race for pushing for a more inclusive multi-racial agenda, or to accuse Prof Mehrun Siraj as bersubahat (in conspiracy) with the enemies of Islam for defending the right of the Bar Council to organise a forum on the impact of conversion to Islam in a plural legal system, is a strategy used by fascists and extremists to appropriate truth only to their own discourse.

Thus others are demonised, their ideas portrayed as threatening to race, religion and country and therefore all public discussion must be halted.

Actually, it is not that all public discussion must be stopped; it is that those who hold a different viewpoint from the orthodoxy do not have the right to speak out, lest their ideas take hold among the voters who no longer believe in the traditional ideologies of the ruling elite.

Take the issue of affirmative action for the Malays. How can we conduct a public discourse and minimise the polarisation given the divergent ideas, beliefs and fears, founded and unfounded?

First, it would be helpful to generate a rational and intelligent discussion on the New Economic Policy if we stop labelling those who question, challenge, raise the shortcomings and abuses in implementation, the unintended consequences of the policy and those who offer alternatives as pengkhianat bangsa (traitors to the race), merampas hak Melayu (seize Malay rights), menjolok sarang tebuan (stir the hornet’s nest) and other such sinister representations.

Second, it would also be helpful if the media stop inflaming public opinion with such ominous language and headlines, without providing any counter viewpoints.

What the media must do is to promote understanding and rational debate with more fact-based understanding and analysis on why there is a demand for a review of the NEP, even among the Malays.

It must research and verify whether the fears and dire consequences articulated are supported by facts or mere gut reaction.

Third, it is necessary to build public understanding that any affirmative action policy is temporary by nature.

Such a policy puts in place temporary measures to redress the unequal and unjust status of a community that has historically been disadvantaged – be it on the basis of race or sex or disability.

Questioning the NEP, its strengths and weaknesses, and its future standing does not tantamount to seizing Malay rights or treachery to the Malay cause or to the repeal of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution. The NEP is but a policy instrument of Article 153.

What is being questioned is whether as a policy instrument it remains the most effective and just means to achieve its twin objectives of eradicating poverty and economic restructuring by eliminating the identification of race with function.

Fourth, the time has come for the Government to channel all this bursting energy and anger into a third National Consultative Economic Council (MAPEN III) to develop a new national development agenda.

Given the contentious debate on the NEP and the way forward for Malaysia to remain competitive in a new global environment, a new consultative process must be established.

MAPEN I and II produced the National Development Policy and the National Vision Policy respectively. In spite of the consensus reached, there are obvious dissatisfactions from all sides with the way these policy instruments have worked or not worked.

MAPEN III must also evaluate the escalating demand for a more equitable policy based on need and whether this would be more just and appropriate in a more challenging and competitive world.

Given the fact that bumiputras form the majority population and the majority of the poor, any new policy instrument will still benefit the bumiputra community the most.

Fifth, any review of the NEP must be an inclusive, collective and transparent process if the outcome is to be credible and accepted by all. It must reflect the views of a cross-section of Malaysian society, rather than just ethnic-based political parties and the business community.

If the Government does not have the will to take the lead on this, then it is the Pakatan Rakyat’s alternative Malaysian Economic Agenda that will form the basis of demands for change to deal with the abuses and injustices, perceived and real, of the NEP and the challenges of a globalised world.

How is it today that what Anwar Ibrahim espouses – recognition of the special position of the Malays and the legitimate interests of other communities in the Malaysian Economic Agenda – seems like new reason to the ears of many young Malays and most non-Malays, when this so-called”ethnic bargain” has actually been constitutionally enshrined since 1957 and formed the basis of negotiations within the Barisan Nasional councils to resolve the competing demands of the different ethnic groups?

Changed expectations

March 8 and Permatang Pauh have clearly shown that the language of ketuanan Melayu does not work at the national level.

For confident young Malays who can stand on their own two feet, the NEP is no longer the crutch they need to survive and thrive.

For disenchanted Malays who feel, whether rightly or wrongly, that the NEP has been so abused to benefit Umnoputras and the ruling elite only, the sense of fairness inherent in the “bargain” is something they can live with.

Umno’s leadership must decide whether it wants to share power fairly and equitably with its partners in the Barisan Nasional like it used to or it wants them to be subservient to ketuanan Melayu.

It behoves the leadership to go back to the country’s and the coalition’s founding vision as enshrined in the Constitution and re-formulated in the objectives of the Rukunegara:

> to achieve a greater unity of all her peoples;

> to maintain a democratic way of life;

> to create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared;

> to ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions; and

> to build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology.

Can we please begin to have an intelligent, rational and civil discussion on the relevance of these objectives and the way forward in today’s confused and contentious times? (The Star)

***** How nice if people such as the author of this article were calling the shots in Malaysia. Instead we are saddled with the same old racists, the same old corrupt leaders and rabble rousers. Perhaps our nation needs a Barack Obama too.

Made-In-Malaysia Racism

From the Letters To The Editor section in today's The Star with the title
Let’s shut out the racial instigators

"While we gasp in horror when we hear others talking bad about our race, some of us, particularly among family and friends, do practise racism without us realising it!

It is just like gossip – we pretend that it isn’t nice to gossip but we do try to eavesdrop or korek-korek when we hear people gossiping.

The Malays fear that the Malay culture will be diluted or, worse, be wiped out when one talks about Bangsa Malaysia while the Chinese fear that the Malays will impose their ketuanan on them, and the Indians and other minorities are staring at being left out of the development of the country.

And it doesn’t help at all when a politician utters racial slurs that another politician from a so-called multi-racial party from the same front or the opposition decides to hammer away instead of doing what our forefathers did, which was discussing the issue privately.

Each and every politician quickly pours fuel into the fire that in turn creates a pattern of both fear, anger and revenge.

And worst still, we now have bloggers writing articles that are deemed seditious by the government. Time and time again, reminders and warnings have been given, yet these bloggers are not only disregarding court summonses but are also openly instigating the public to turn against the establishment.

If they can ignore the law, perhaps so can we, the respectful public.

In my opinion, discussing behind closed doors whenever we have problems is the best solution and this will also shut out the kaki panas kepala-kepala as well as instigators.

Whether we like it or not, we are here to stay permanently and before we try to tell others how to clean their house, we must first clean our own house.

Diversity colours Malaysia and thank God we are indeed different. But instead of using diversity to bridge the difference, we are using differences to widen the bridge of diversity.

As far as people like me, the non-decision makers, are concerned we don’t have issue with other races at all.

Politicians and bloggers can come and see us any time but to do that, they have to leave their phalanx of politician buddies and their computers and feel the ground that is holding us all. That ground is called Malaysia and it is OUR home."

A COMMON MAN,

Kuala Lumpur.

***** 'Common Man' has a point when he says that some issues, especially the 'sensitive' ones, are better discussed in private. I can understand his concern that matters may get out of hand if 'too much' is debated publicly.

However one must hasten to add that this is the strategy which has been employed over the past few decades with no apparent improvement. Even a zillion years of negotiating privately will not yield results if the status quo is maintained and where an openly racist scum like the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail is allowed to continue spitting his venom with impunity.

Just imagine if the roles had been reversed and a chinaman had been brave (and foolish) enough to speak in such tones about the Malays. Umno would have gone to town with that statement and demanded the full force of the ISA be brought to bear on him. And you know what? Pak Lah would have gladly obliged and may have even gone further and revoked the courageous and foolhardy sod's citizenship.

This is the racial politics which Umno has been playing all these years. It would not be surprising if the majority of Umno members share the views of the Bukit Bendera bastard. For that matter don't even be surprised if a large number of Malays generally agree with the racist diatribe of the bugger. By cunningly taking advantage of the fears and prejudices of the Malays, Umno has over the past few decades been continously feeding 'communal poison' to them and in a Pavlovian way, reshaping their psyche.

So successful has Umno's devious scheme been that attempts to even slightly alter Malay perception will prove refractory. Therefore would sending the Bukit Bendera bum to Kamunting really solve the issue? Is there any viable solution to our national disunity problem? I really don't know. Many have placed their hopes on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. For the sake of all Malaysians, DSAI will have to work hard and strive to achieve meaningful muhibbah which at least partly existed fifty years ago and which Umno totally destroyed in the intervening decades.

Umno Perceived By Many As Racist, Says Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah

Umno is now perceived by many to be racist because its leaders cannot articulate effectively to the masses about the pre-Independance social contract, nor can they defeat abuses of the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Umno has lost its intellectual capacity to address misgivings among Malaysians and this has led to a perception that it is a racist party.

To further compound this, Umno leaders have lost credibility in the eyes of the public following the stunning losses in the March 8 general election, party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said.

Speaking on Saturday at the opening of Kelantan’s People Action Council (MTRK) forum on Independance at the Grand Riverview Hotel, the Kelantan prince said it has now become common to see people define Umno as a racist party.

Why it has reached such a stage can be traced to three reasons, Tengku Razaleigh said.

The first is because parties with self-interests capitalise on the definitions of freedom and human rights to portray Umno as racist besides condoning a mischievous interpretation of the Federal Constitution.

The second is the complacency of Umno leaders who have allowed certain quarters to question the social contract and while rebuffing critics, Umno has not been able to shake off the stigma of been perceived as racist, he said.

Thirdly, there is no sincere effort to address the misgivings and misinterpretation over the definition of racism in the country.

Racism is where one race advocates hatred against the other and its actions underpin it, such as when the Nazis executed the Jews, explained Tengku Razaleigh.

''Umno advocates none of the above. It has never sought to close down any vernacular schools in the country. It knows how to co-exist with other races but yet, it is perceived to be racist,'' he said.

Umno needs to reinvent itself by upholding the social contract when studied through, is designed to be fair to all races, he said.

Tengku Razaleigh said many non-Malays believed that Umno or the Malays are the drivers of Malaysia. ''Of late, the Malays have become reckless and bad drivers until the Government is branded as inefficient,” he said.

Tengku Razaleigh said another step towards reinventing the party is to restore the moral credibility in the party.

''Is it too late? I hope not but Umno must come to terms about regaining the trust of the people. It must be seen as trustworthy.''

Corruption is an open secret in the country either through the public sector or within Umno until it has become a crisis to the party where only rich candidates would be voted while competency is ignored, he added.

Later, he said there is a need for stronger leadership in the country as it would prevent certain quarters from raising questionable issues which can further divide rather than mend relations among Malaysians.

Asked whether he thought Pakatan Rakyat could form the next federal government by Sept 16, Tengku Razaleigh said it is doubtful as there are disagreements within the alliance so it may derail the process. (The Star Online)

***** Tengku Razaleigh has touched on the issues but surprisingly he has absolved Umno of practising racism. Perhaps having never been on the receiving end, he can be excused for not appreciating racism's evil presence in the country.

Poverty Eradication Regardless Of Race, Ideology BN Candidate's Agenda. But Is That Umno's Agenda?

From Bernama

The eradication of poverty among the people regardless of their race, religion and political ideology will be the national agenda for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah in Parliament if he were to win in the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday.

He said the poverty eradication agenda would not be realised if the approach used was based on racial interests and political ideologies of a particular community.

"There must be other ways of resolving the poverty problems of the people. A comprehensive study involving local leaders who are truly concerned must be carried out.

"It should not involve leaders who are only interested in seeking positions but do not carry out studies because certain people have different political ideologies and thus are left out. In the end, we cannot resolve the poverty problem," he told Bernama here Saturday.

"I have a national perspective in the various fields to be shared together if I were elected as a Member of parliament," he said, refuting allegations that he could not make any significant contribution in the Dewan Rakyat.

When asked on his agenda in strengthening racial unity, Arif Shah said a solution must be worked out to ensure that unity between the various races and differing political ideologies could be nurtured.

The Seberang Jaya State Assemblyman said currently solidarity between the Malays themselves was weak, what more between the various races.

"The Malays themselves are divided into the Umno Malays, PAS Malays, and PKR Malays, and even among the Umno Malays, they are divided into several groups. Thus, we have to find a solution so that they will become a single Malay entity.

"Among the Chinese, Indians and the other communities, we have to identify a way of merging them to eliminate whatever prejudice that are being fanned by those with ulterior motive," he said.

In this context, he said more programmes involving all the various races and supporters of the various political parties must be held to instil solidarity between these various groups.

Arif Shah believed his agenda on poverty eradication and strengthening solidarity not only among the Permatang Pauh electorate but also the people of the whole country could be achieved with cooperation from all the communities and local leaders.

"If this (cooperation) can be achieved, then it is easy for us to meet this target," he said.

In the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election, Arif Shah is involved in a three-cornered fight with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) candidate Hanafi Mamat. The seat fell vacant when the incumbent member of parliament Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also PKR president, resigned.

***** If Arif Shah were to be candidate for the PM's post, at least we can give him the benefit of the doubt for that very muhibbah claim. Unfortunately he is but a mere cog, and an insignificant one at that, in the racist Umno wheel. One can safely dismiss his speech as election bluster.

Umno in its present form will continue to be the practitioner of undisguised and unrepentant racism.

Gerakan Leader Calls For Party To Quit BN

From Bernama

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the remark by women's head Datuk Tan Lian Hoe who wanted the party to reconsider its position in Barisan Nasional (BN) was an internal problem and would be resolved by the party itself.

He said Tan had not communicated to him of her opinion and he was surprised after being told about what she had said.

"I will handle the issue within the party. This only reflects that there are opinion differences among party leaders and it shows the democratic process does exist. And we will discuss the matter within the party," he said.

Earlier, he accompanied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a meeting with leaders of Chinese non-governmental organisations and Islamic religious class teachers here Sunday.

Tan who is Deputy Information Minister, told reporters after the annual conference of Perak Gerakan delegates in Ipoh Sunday that party grassroots were unhappy with BN leaders who used racial issues to gain political support.

Dr Koh said that probably, Tan raised the matter because as Deputy Information Minister, she received information from the Chinese community and grassroots.

It would not become an issue, he said and added that he would continue to campaign for the BN candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election as Penang BN chairman.

Meanwhile, Abdullah when asked to comment on the matter, said he had not been informed of it.

***** So the call for minor players in the BN to quit has started. About time too. How long can these also-rans continue to put up with Umno and its persistent race-baiting? Despite the expected pathetic response by Dr Koh Tsu Koon, it'll only be a matter of time before the lone voice of Datuk Tan turns into a flood of discontent and anger. Are MCA and MIC listening?

In Malaysia It Pays To Hurl Racial Abuse At Students. Racist Teacher Rewarded.

From AsiaOne, Singapore

It obviously pays to hurl racial abuse at students, going by what happened to the teacher who did so at a school here. The 35-year-old history teacher from SM Telok Panglima Garang was not only transferred to a smart school but to one located nearer her house.

To add insult to injury, no disciplinary action was taken against her.

It is understood that her letter of transfer stated that she was being transferred due to concerns for her security and not because she had committed an offence.

Several parents and non-governmental organisations gathered in front of the school yesterday demanding an explanation from the headmaster for letting her off with just a slap on the wrist.

However, the headmaster refused to meet them, saying the matter was no longer related to the school since the teacher had been transferred.

Coalition of Indian NGOs secretary G. Gunaraj said the transfer showed the teacher had got away scot-free.

"In fact, she even got a better deal. She is now in a better school and one that is nearer to her house."

He said this set a dangerous precedent as others may think they too can get away scot-free uttering racial slurs.

He said the Education Ministry should be serious in tackling the issue as what the teacher had done could affect racial harmony.

Gunaraj said some teachers in the school were blaming the affected students for lack of a history teacher.

"This should not be the case. Does it mean that students should keep quiet, no matter what a teacher does?"

In the incident last month, the teacher allegedly told students of a certain ethnic group in a Form Four class that she "wanted to test their level of patience" and then began abusing them with derogatory words.

She even wrote the words on the blackboard. Two students later lodged police reports against her.

Several days earlier, she had allegedly entered a Form Five class and called the students using a derogatory word. She also accused them of being gangsters and thieves.

She was also alleged to have ordered the boys to do push-ups. When some of them could not do so, she allegedly stomped on their backs.

Last Monday, nearly 500 parents and members of the public gathered to protest in front of the school.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the ministry had instructed the State Education Department to initiate an inquiry and that the teacher "had some explaining to do".

State Education director Ashah Samah said she had wanted to transfer the person out of the state but had acceded to a request from the teacher to remain in the district.

She said the transfer letter was issued by the district education department and that she would investigate claims that security had been stated as the reason for the move.

***** When the whole education department itself is bloody racial to the core, can we expect any meaningful and reasonable action by these people against a fellow racist? Just read the statement by the State Education director Ashah Samah. She said that she had wanted to transfer the person out of the state but had acceded to a request from the teacher to remain in the district! What compassion!

When the government itself practices open discrimination and racism can you expect something better from these nutcases? Malaysia Boleh!

Update: Samy Vellu: Why ‘reward’ racist teacher?

Racism At Its Worst In Kuala Langat School. Would Hishamuddin Like To Comment?

About 500 angry parents and other members of the Indian community gathered outside a secondary school here on Monday to protest racial slurs and abuse allegedly uttered by a teacher against Indian students recently.

The crowd began gathering outside SMK Telok Panglima Garang’s main entrance near here at noon and dispersed about two hours later.

The headmaster was on leave, so some teachers accepted on his behalf copies of police reports made by a Form Four student and a Form Five student. According to the police reports, the female history teacher had allegedly called Indian students in a Form Four and a Form Five class ‘keling pariah’, ‘Negro’, ‘black monkeys’ as well as other derogatory names.

The teacher had also purportedly said that ‘Indians came from dogs’ and the community members were stupid and prone to thuggery and thievery.

The police reports also alleged that the teacher had said that Indians were the ‘children of prostitutes’ and the community’s youths ‘did not have testicles’ on July 17 and 22, and had also purportedly beaten up some Indians students.

The Form Four student also alleged in his report that the teacher had written the word ‘keling pariah’ on the board and lost her cool when the Indian students in the class told her that they did not like being called names.

Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs secretary Gunaraj George, who was among those who handed over the police reports, said that exposure to such abuse would only breed hatred and racial polarisation in schools.

“No one in his or her right frame of mind would have said these things. Given this, the best option would be for the teacher to be assigned to a desk job and not be allowed to be near youngsters anymore,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong said the schoolteacher might be sacked if the allegations proved true. The allegations were serious as no one was allowed to insult others, especially in a school environment, said Dr Wee, who was asked to comment on the incident when visiting a nine-year-old accident victim at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru.

He added that the ministry was awaiting an official report before taking any action. (The Star Online)

***** It's a small wonder how such a blatantly racist teacher had survived this long without being detected. Perhaps she had been previously always posted to schools consisting of pupils of only one race.

In a way I feel sorry for her. Having chosen such a noble profession and then to abandon everything good teaching entails and engage in the basest display of human hatred is a sad thing. Sacking her is perhaps not the answer. Maybe she requires psychiatric intervention.

But one thing is sure. There are many, many more like her who have been let loose in our schools and God knows how the education ministry is going to rein them in.
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MCA Seeks Unbiased Review Of Syllabus & Contents Of History Textbooks. There's No Chance Of This Under An Umno Govt

From today's The Star.

The MCA has recommended that a multiracial committee similar to the one formed to fine-tune the Ethnic Relations module be set up to review and finalise the syllabus and contents of History textbooks.

Its education bureau chief Senator Datuk Lee Sing Chooi said a review paper providing recommendations to improve the syllabus had been submitted to Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

“As citizens of a multi-ethnic, cultural and religious country, it is paramount to give due recognition to the history of each community in an unbiased manner.

“The subject should not just focus on one section of the community while neglecting to mention the roles and struggles of all communities,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He said information on major civilisations throughout the world should be expanded further to keep abreast with general knowledge and to encourage the understanding of international relations and history.

“This will provide a more balanced paradigm for our future generations and offer them a more competitive edge in embracing the challenges of globalisation,” he said.

Lee said personal convictions that might influence impressionable youths should be omitted from the contents of the textbooks.

“Terms which will spark feelings of uneasiness, resentment and result in rifts in our multiracial country must be avoided.

“The younger generation should be provided with a well-balanced perspective to instil unity and to share a common burden of nation- building and progressive outlook for the benefit of all,” he said.

At a separate press conference, Hishammuddin said he would study the syllabus and contexts of the textbooks in a comprehensive way.

“The National Education Blueprint (2006-2010) is for us to bring transformation to the educational field, and within these five years we will listen to constructive suggestions,” he said.

Lee together with The Review Paper project coordinator Loh Seng Kok and Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research CEO Fui K. Soong later issued a joint statement addressing the same sentiment.

***** If MCA genuinely wants to see a more accurate depiction of the nation's history, it should first change its support from BN to Pakatan Rakyat. There is simply no way that the fanatics in Umno would allow the truth to be told. They would prefer to wallow with pride in the fictional muck that they have created over the past fifty years.

In any case, even if some honest umnoputera (if we can find one and Hishamuddin definitely does not fit the bill) attempts to provide an unbiased version, he'll be hooted and booted out of the party. Certain historical half-truths, like ketuanan Melayu, a vague 'social contract', the unrestrained romanticising of Malay warriors and freedom fighters, the near total omission of the contribution of non-Malays in nation building, the over-emphasis on things Islamic and a pro-Arabic slant are essential for the continued survival of Umno.

MCA is either possessed with exuberant optimism, remarkable naiveté or is in perpetual denial mode for expecting meaningful changes to the syllabus and contents of our history books from Umno, home to the most rabid cultural and racial zealots in the country.

But The Snake Is A Phallic Symbol, Hamidah Osman. Or Didn't You Know?

At a time when Umno is at its weakest and the quality of its politicians already at the lowest levels since Independence, a Perak state assemblywoman, Hamidah Osman (BN-Sungai Rapat) hit rock bottom yesterday and proceeded to actively dig herself deeper into whatever slime she may have expected to find down there.

While the rest of the members at the Perak state assembly were dueling the way our politicians are wont to, with at least some relevant point being raised to hit out at each other, our lady Hamidah interjected in the midst of the debate to expose her filthy, racist mind as well as give free expression to her irrational preoccupation with snakes. Whether it ends with snakes or extends further to the level of a sexual obsession for phallic symbols and more, is something only that she and those 'close' to her can clarify.

It was reported in today's The Star that this racist Umno excuse for a pemimpin, Hamidah Osman (BN-Sungai Rapat) "earned the wrath of the Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen when she asked whether State assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar 'agreed to disagree' with the well-known fable of whether a snake or a man from a certain racial community should be killed first."

How do you like that for a quality debate? What does it tell you about this detestable woman who probably projects herself to her penyokong2 as a pious and God fearing member of society? With people like her at the helm of Umno what remote chance is there for a truly united and prosperous Malaysia? And do you for a minute think that she'll be the last of the racists from that accursed political party? God bless Malaysia.

Set Example And Don’t Raise Sensitive Issues, Dr Mahathir Urged

From The Star.

Tamil Nesan has called on the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to avoid raising sensitive issues which will affect national unity or create racial tension.

In its editorial, the paper said that the retired elder statesman should set an example for future leaders by showing the proper way and giving the necessary advice.

The paper also reminded the people that the country belonged to them and that it was their responsibility to cooperate and work together for the country’s economic growth and success.

The people must support the new economic policy and the new government led by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had brought about many reforms, the paper said.

It also said that the people expected to get equal opportunities in the education, economic and government sectors.

The paper hoped that Malaysians would continue to maintain unity and racial tolerance so that the country would continue to prosper.

***** It is indeed a disgrace that the people are now forced to remind a one time leader of the country to stop playing up race issues! In an explicit display of his innermost thoughts and his convoluted approach to political and ethnic issues lately, Dr Mahathir has convinced the whole country that he is at the moment, the biggest impediment to national unity and inter-racial harmony. A clear and present danger, if you will.

One wonders how our nation actually survived his twenty-plus year rule without having shattered into a thousand pieces. Perhaps we should thank the non-Malay leaders of BN component parties for their endless display of servitude through the eighties and nineties which ironically kept Dr M in check and didn't give him the excuse or opportunity to engage in Umno-style genocide.

Over the past few years, through his own recalcitrance and without any help from his detractors within Umno, Dr Mahathir has singlehandedly dismantled his own increasingly dubious legacy and the people will not view him kindly half-a-century from now. But the damage he is potentially capable of inflicting on everyone of us today by deviously inciting racial passions, must indeed be a worry. How do you handle an influential, aging and racist loose cannon? Especially one who apparently has decided to take leave of his senses.

PSD Scholarships - An Umnoputera's Racist Math

Increasing the quota for non-bumiputras for Public Services Department (PSD) scholarships without increasing the actual number of scholarships has drastically affected the bumiputras, the Umno Youth Education Bureau said.

Its chairman Ahmad Ikmal Ismail said while the bureau agreed with the Government to give more scholarships to non-bumiputras, it did not agree with the way it was done.

“The quota for non-bumiputras has increased from 10% to 45% but the number of total scholarships has remained at 2,000.”

Ahmad Ikmal said this meant that scholarships were being taken from the bumiputras to be given to the non-bumiputras.

“We object to this move because it now means 700 scholarships for bumiputra students are gone,” he said.

Ahmad Ikmal said a better way would be to use the New Economic Policy concept to increase the number of total scholarships so that the bumiputras were not affected and the non-bumiputras got even more opportunities.

“For example, if the 'cake' was increased to 3,000 scholarships, using a ratio of 70:30, then bumiputras would get 2,100 places while non-bumiputras would get 900 places,” he said.

Ahmad Ikmal said although it would require more money to implement, education was an investment that was needed to develop society and the country.

He added that there were also instances of well-performing bumiputra students who failed to obtain scholarships from the PSD. (The Star)

***** Some things and some people will never change. So we have to change them.
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BN Parties Unhappy With Umno Should Pull Out, Says PKR Youth Leader

Barisan Nasional component parties unhappy with Umno should pull out of the coalition and join Pakatan Rakyat, a Perak Parti Keadilan (PKR) Youth leader said.

At a public forum here on Saturday night, Perak PKR Youth Information deputy chief Chang Lih Kang said there were Barisan parties that shared the same views as PR on issues like abolishing draconian laws, and the fair and equitable treatment of all races.

However Umno, as the dominant party in the coalition, did not endorse their views, he said. Chang, who is also Teja assemblyman, said it was high time they re-considered their political positioning.

By joining Pakatan Rakyat, they would not only have the opportunity to realise their policies, they could also end the era of racial politics in Malaysia, he said.

“There is nothing wrong in switching parties if the political party you are in is no longer moving in the direction you want,” he said.

Chang's proposal came in the midst of persistent talk that some Barisan MPs will cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

He was speaking at the forum entitled The move towards a two-party system -- how are young politicians making changes? organised by the Youth wing of the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall held at Yuk Choy Old Boys Association Building here. (The Star)

***** Perak PKR Youth Information deputy chief Chang Lih Kang is on spot with his advice. Umno is a political dead-end and there is no way that they will change or accommodate the views of others even if the non-Malay parties wait for a hundred years.

If the component parties like the MCA, MIC, Gerakan and others truly care for the people as they claim, then there is only choice and that is to abandon Umno and all that the racist party stands for and join Pakatan Rakyat. That is the best contribution these politicians can make for the future good of the nation. But do they really have the interests of their constituents at heart or only care for themselves?
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