This team’s sole aim is not about keeping power in Malay hands, for that is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, but keeping power in the hands of corrupt and self-serving elite. And to stay in power, this group is willing to pit the Malays against the non-Malays, the Muslims against the non-Muslims.
THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
There is a dangerous tag team developing in Malaysia. One that involves some in Umno and the new kid on the block, Perkasa.
This team’s sole aim is not about keeping power in Malay hands, for that is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, but keeping power in the hands of corrupt and self-serving elite. And to stay in power, this group is willing to pit the Malays against the non-Malays, the Muslims against the non-Muslims.
There is enough evidence of this in the past few weeks. The demolition of illegal food stalls in Georgetown, Penang, is turned into a racial issue. It will always be a case of oppression on racial grounds, never about the law being upheld.
The same with the civil service proposal for a gathering instead of the annual procession to mark Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday in Penang. State Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is labelled as an “anti-Malay’ for a proposal that never saw light of day except in a document.
It is always about them and us, if the few “champions” of the Malay community is to be believed. They need these causes to remain relevant to the community, otherwise they cease to exist, cease to have posts, cease to be important.
The key to pulling the rug under their feet might lie with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his 1Malaysia concept. He has opened up the economy, urged for unity and raised the spectre of competition and reducing subsidies to ensure the country moves forward to its Vision 2020.
The Umno president has spoken up about being Malaysian even when his aides continue harping on Malay rights. It reflects that he may be well meaning but appears powerless to stop the rise of the right wing.
Or maybe Najib believes that he needs them to keep the non-Malays in place. Who knows unless he opens his mouth further to keep his party in check.
After all, Datuk Nasir Safar paid the price for his derogatory terms that have no place in any society, let alone 1Malaysia. Yet, we have to thank Nasir because he showed that racism still exists in the country, if not just in Umno, despite 52 years of being independent as a nation of many peoples.
We have to battle this racism that is being used to prop up the corrupt.
The battle between Perkasa with its allies in Umno and the rest of the country is so critical because a defeat to right wingers will alter the tone of Malaysia forever. It will change what our forefathers had dreamed of Malaya and later Malaysia.
The likes of MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, PBS, PBB, SUPP and other East Malaysian-based Barisan Nasional cannot be bystanders in this battle. Some of them have to overcome infighting to see the bigger picture and the war to keep Malaysia a home for all.
Not a place where the few can continue to lord over us, using racism to keep us at each others’ throats while they enjoy life under the Malaysian sun.
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