By Melissa Loovi - The Malaysian InsiderKUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — Does May 13 mean anything anymore? The Malaysian Insider spoke to six young Malaysians to find out what they think about May 13, race relations and how things can be improved.
Jerral Khor, 29, runs his own events and advertising company. Although born in Penang, Jerral has mostly lived in Kuala Lumpur and is a free-thinker in a Buddhist/Taoist family. He is a “computer geek” who also loves reading, TV and chilling at home.
Jerral says May 13 was a black mark on our history. — Pictures by Choo Choy May
A: Yes, I have. (Pauses for a while.) It was definitely a black mark on our history. In our history books, it is only accorded a few lines but politicians use it as a tool when it suits their needs.
My parents lived through the ordeal in Penang. During the riots, my grandma actually sheltered a Malay guy for several days. But my parents rarely spoke about May 13 or anything else that was political. They kept politics out of my life so I could make up my own mind as an adult.
I know there are many conspiracy theories about this day but I think the theories are just that, because people love conspiracies. From my travels to predominantly-Malay Kedah and Kelantan, I find the people there are far friendlier than in Chinese areas like Cheras or Jinjang.
Q: Have you heard of the New Economic Policy (NEP)? Do you know that it was put into place right after May 13?
A: Yes, I have. I think May 13 was merely a tool towards realising the NEP because the crisis allowed the powers-that-be to use the policy to their advantage. They claim to be helping a particular race but after so many years, have they actually learned to fish?
Worse still, the NEP also means that even someone who is purchasing a RM4 million mansion is entitled to the housing discount while there are poor people of all races who continue to struggle. When I look at the situation, I think the NEP is meant to keep people dependant on the government so that it will continue to have power.
Q: Does race matter to you? Do you have friends of different races?
A: It doesn't really. I actually grew up with more Malay and Indian friends because of the fact that I don't speak Chinese dialects fluently. That made it hard for me to be friends with most of the Chinese kids in school. Nowadays though, I have a number of Chinese friends too because English is more commonly spoken.
Race isn't an issue because generally my group of friends gets along but occasionally there may be small differences among us. The important thing is, we don't see colour when we are around each other. We feel comfortable enough with each other that we can crack jokes knowing we won't offend one another.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the various races in Malaysia? How can it be improved?
A: On the surface it looks like we all get along very well, and this is what they love to harp on in our tourism advertisements. But we all know that isn't really true because racism is still there. I've never had direct racial confrontations but I know people who have and it's painful for them.
For race relations to be improved, I firmly think race-based schools are not good as they create mental barriers at such a young, impressionable age. Even moral and agama (Islamic) classes create unnecessary segregation of kids.
Fariq Halim, 31, is managing director of a franchising consultancy in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. Fariq's father was a diplomat so his childhood was spent abroad, mostly at the United Nations’ international school in New York before he decided at 13 to go to a boarding school in Kelantan. Fariq loves rock 'n' roll, sci-fi and Formula 1.
Q: Have you heard about May 13, 1969?
A: Yes, it was a massive low point in Malaysia's history. Racial tensions were at its worst and skin colour mattered as it was the thing used to determine who belonged here. I don't know the whole story but I think a lot of it is just propaganda used to divide people.
It was perpetrated by politicians who had their own agenda and just that small group was enough to create a domino effect that changed the entire country. There was a time before when you could regularly see all three races sitting together for coffee. But today that doesn't really happen.
Q: Have you heard of the New Economic Policy (NEP)? Do you know that it was put into place right after May 13?
A: Yes, the original essence of the policy was good but now it's gotten screwed up. It was meant to give the Malays a leg-up which was fine back then because the Malays at the time did now know their potential. But the problem is that the other races were sidelined. The Chinese reacted to it well by just working harder but the Indian community fell behind.
So the NEP hasn't reached its goals due to the inefficiency of the administration. Yes, Bumiputeras now have more but it tends to make them more dependent and less competitive, especially if they were to move to another country where there are no longer policies like the NEP.
Still, I don't think we should just remove the NEP altogether. It just shouldn't provide too many privileges because the Malays must understand that only hard work can help them to achieve what they want. The NEP should also benefit other races.
Q: Does race matter to you? Do you have friends of different races?
A: Of course I wouldn't want to see my race disappear but I don't consciously think about race when it comes to everyday things like business or friendship. My group of friends is definitely multiracial and I love that about them. It makes our friendship so much more interesting.
Actually, when I was in boarding school in Kelantan, my first friend was an Indian boy because he was the only one who spoke English there! It had nothing to do with his race but the teachers told me to make friends with Malays instead.
I think they wanted to narrow my friendships to make me more rigid; it was a form of brainwashing. But I was always the kind who would be friends with anyone, as long as we could speak a common language.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the various races in Malaysia? How can it be improved?
A: It can definitely be improved because we need to learn to see eye-to-eye. We shouldn't assume the other race has an agenda towards us. Essentially, racist behaviour comes from fear for your own race and then it can spread easily.
I myself have not been a direct victim of racism but I have heard stories of how it happens to Malays in a Chinese-dominated company. If we want to remove racism, it would have to wait for Star Trek to happen! (laughs)
But honestly, there will always be elements of racism in all cultures but we can and should move away from that slowly. Things can definitely improve but we first need better people. At this point, politics is dirtier than pornography!
Rachel says the NEP was created just to shut people up
Q: Have you heard about May 13, 1969?
A: Yes, I have heard many different stories from so many viewpoints. My dad gave me the Chinese perspective as he grew up in Cheras but I also heard other versions of events from friends at school and at college. I kept asking people because I realised my dad didn't really like telling me about it. What I know from him is that the Malays were angry that the opposition parties who were mainly Chinese had won because they were parading it too much. My dad also says it is a lot gorier than what is told today.
Q: Have you heard of the New Economic Policy (NEP)? Do you know that it was put into place right after May 13?
A: Yes, I think the NEP was created just to shut people up but the policies didn't actually solve the problems, except maybe temporarily. So there is one race that perceives it as their right but what about the other races? So while the NEP appeared to solve problems, it may actually have made things worse because it made people keep quiet. People became afraid to talk about things because they were considered sensitive.
I'm curious about why the minorities are okay with the policy. How did they learn to live with it?
Q: Does race matter to you? Do you have friends of different races?
A: No, it doesn't matter. Race is just a social construct created by man so that we can label each other. Within my context, race has never been an issue because I have no rules for who I mix with. Granted, there are times when I need to find a compromise; say for example if I'm with a Hindu, I wouldn't go somewhere that only serves beef. But it's not a big deal to me because my friendships are richer this way.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the various races in Malaysia? How can it be improved?
A: Overall, I do think people prefer to stick with their own race, whether in school, university, work or anywhere else. We are aware that the other races exist but we aren't very interested in getting to know them. I think it's related to our comfort zones.
To improve the situation, we'd have to start in schools, or even in kindergarten. Education is definitely the key but that involves the parents as well. If the parents teach racist behaviour to their children then it will just become a never-ending cycle of racism. Children are also very easily influenced by what their parents say. If a child tells his mother about a new friend of a different race and the parent responds negatively, it could make the child believe there is something wrong with that particular race.
Differences will always be there so I doubt it's possible to completely remove it. But that's the thing - what's so wrong about being different? Why can't we learn to celebrate the differences rather than merely 'tolerate' each other, like what we are taught in school?
Justin says he’s just not that interested in politics.
Q: Have you heard about May 13, 1969?
A: Yes, I know there's a political thing that happened that day but honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is my best friend as that is his birthday. It is also Mother Mary's birthday which is why we celebrate Mother's Day around this time every year.
But yes, back to May 13. I know there was racial conflict going on in Brickfields and Klang as that is where my family is from. I heard that the Klang River was filled with blood but I don't know if that's just exaggerated.
To be honest, I don't know much about local history because I've never looked into it even though I am really interested in European mythology. I guess I don't find it relevant because I don't look at things like race anyway. Perhaps knowledge of it could prevent it from reoccurring but I am a simple guy so it just doesn't affect me. Honestly, I doubt such a thing would happen again.
I guess I'm just not that interested in politics. In fact, I don't read the newspapers!
Q: Have you heard of the New Economic Policy (NEP)? Do you know that it was put into place right after May 13?
A: I've heard of it but I don't really know what it is. (The NEP is explained to him briefly). Okay, so then my question about NEP would be, what is a Bumiputera? There are indigenous people who often do not qualify even though they are literally “sons of the earth” as they've lived here longer than the Malays or Chinese or Indians. In the US, all citizens are American, once they've obtained citizenship. So why is it so difficult over here?
Decades ago it is understandable but 40 years is a real stretch — that's a longer lifespan than a pet! We live in a different world today so we need to adjust to it, as a country.
Q: Does race matter to you? Do you have friends of different races?
A: I think it's important to know your own ethnicity but we should never use race to judge people. My friends are of all sorts of races because I don't look at that when I befriend someone. It's just a matter of clicking with someone you find interesting.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the various races in Malaysia? How can it be improved?
A: People definitely still live in clusters. Klang, for example, is predominantly Indian while Penang is mostly Chinese. Even though Peninsular Malaysia is so diversified and better educated, Sabah and Sarawak are more integrated as a people. Maybe it's because we are in such a rush over here with emails and mobile devices while they have more time to communicate face-to-face.
When people are more laidback, they are less judgmental. Even on the east coast, you can see that chilled-out atmosphere, but over here we are so competitive and we are always in a rush, so we forget the smaller stuff.
From travelling to places like Germany and Australia, I've noticed that things are freer there compared to Malaysia. For example, over here a Hindu would notice and possibly pass judgment if he saw another Hindu eating a beef burger. Things like that are so unnecessary.
To improve the situation, we should stop hiding whatever that is happening. Let people understand the root and they will be able to move on. Parents also play a very important role in helping their children to be colour blind.
Putri Sofia says it is sad that May 13 happened.
Q: Have you heard about May 13, 1969?
A: Yes, I know about the riots which resulted from the Chinese having too much economic power after Malaysia was formed. They paraded after winning big in the '69 election and this angered the Malays.
It is sad that it happened. I think the Malays were too caught up in Malay supremacy while the Chinese were caught up with economic power. But today it is not like that. Looking at the last elections, people voted not on race but on who can do the job. I mean, an Indian woman contested under PAS! That speaks volumes and I don't think May 13 will happen again.
This is why I hate politics because politicians only care about their cronies and they play issues of race and religion to try and win votes. But that's a wrong perception because we are not stupid anymore! You can try to con us with your manifestos but we won't be fooled.
Q: Have you heard of the New Economic Policy (NEP)? Do you know that it was put into place right after May 13?
I think the Malays recognise that they don't need Ketuanan Melayu anymore. We need to work globally with all races. The NEP may benefit some Malays but what about the other races? Even though I'm Malay and I've benefited from it, I've seen too many who misuse it. So I disagree with the NEP.
My Chinese friend says the NEP has made the Chinese work harder and so they've actually benefited from it! The housing discount for rich Malays is laughable. We must revamp these policies. The government needs to show that they really want to help all Malaysians.
It is not right that some of my Malay friends with bad results can study in universities while Chinese friends with perfect results can't get in. Even when Bumiputera students score badly, their scholarships are not taken away.
So it's just not fair — all races need an education so that they can support their families. Malaysia is not just for Malays. We always promote our country as multicultural to the world so we must implement that in our education and politics.
Q: Does race matter to you? Do you have friends of different races?
Not really. We do look at culture to see what is taboo for a certain race but it is not really important. What I look for in people is their ethics and how they get things done. Actually, I have more friends of other races than Malay friends! My friends don't look at race either and we can discuss things like May 13 without any problems.
That's actually why I left my previous university — it was only Malay students and I wanted the competitiveness of having other races. The Chinese are so hardworking that it makes me a better student.
Also, in my previous college, just speaking English was enough reason for people to label me as “sombong” (arrogant). So it was very close-minded there, which is why I think many Malays are not doing well. I am so thankful that my parents raised me to see beyond those things.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the various races in Malaysia? How can it be improved?
A: In my faculty we mix around as that is what my lecturers encourage. But on campus, I can see it is segregated. There are clusters and even the clubs are based on race which can be unhealthy. In happens in our schools as well. But I do think we are slowly getting better.
To improve, teachers and parents must play their part. The education system should include subjects that focus on ethnic relations so that it becomes internalised in young people. It's not enough to just have kids memorise facts about Malaysia for an objective exam.
Racism definitely still exists in our country. I want to believe we can move beyond it through respect for different cultures and religions and it's not impossible to achieve. Society must be willing to change their attitude collectively and we should because it's for our future as a nation.
Kanmani says the NEP should be removed to make it fair for all.
Q: Have you heard about May 13, 1969?
A: I just know that something violent, like riots, happened and it had a serious impact on our country. People are scared to talk about what really happened, even now. I asked my grandma about it become attending this interview and she told me it was a very scary time. She and her sisters were just hiding in their home during the riots.
I also remember learning about it in History class. But I have forgotten about it until you asked me. It doesn't have a direct influence to my life because it happened so many years ago!
Q: Have you heard of the New Economic Policy (NEP)? Do you know that it was put into place right after May 13?
(She said no at first but she understood the Malay name for it.) What I know about it is that in the university I applied to, I couldn't get the course that I wanted even though the Malay students who scored lower grades could get in. So in the end, I did not further my studies and I started working instead.
I think that they are stealing from the other races using the NEP. The world is globalised now so they should remove such policies to make it fair for all. With the university quotas, the Chinese can still survive because they can afford private universities but most Indians cannot.
I've heard phrases like “Satu Bangsa, Satu Malaysia” on the TV and I really think they should practice that, not just say it.
Q: Does race matter to you? Do you have friends of different races?
A: No, I was raised by my mom in such a way that race doesn't matter. I have friends of different races and it's all fair and square to me. My group enjoys exchanging cultures with each other and if there are sensitive issues, we will respect each other.
For example, the issue of Hindraf is sensitive because one Malay friend is against it while the Indians support it so we just agree to disagree. There is no point getting upset so we just respect each other’s beliefs.
Q: What do you think of the relations between the various races in Malaysia? How can it be improved?
A: I've thought about this before. When we're studying, it's not so obvious but in the working world, people are clustered together by race. I think they feel more comfortable with their own kind. I don't think it's deliberate racism but it is hard to find people who like to mix.
I think it should come naturally, from the heart. If you try to teach people, it won't last. As children we can be taught to get along, but as adults it must come naturally.
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