Malaysia not ready to abandon race-based politics: Mahathir
Malaysians are not yet ready to ditch their race-based political system in favour of parties which represent all ethnic groups, former premier Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday.
Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential elections has triggered discussion about whether a minority leader could emerge in Malaysia, which has until now been ruled by a member of the dominant Muslim Malay community.
Mahathir said there is no constitutional barrier preventing an ethnic Chinese or Indian citizen from becoming prime minister.
But he said the country is a long way from abandoning the current system where the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which represents Malays, leads a coalition that includes parties representing other races.
"It doesn't work, every 'multiracial' party is dominated by one race," Mahathir said after a lecture on Malaysian identity.
"Even the PAP in Singapore is not multiracial, as is very clear when Hsien Loong says no non-Chinese can become PM," he said.
Singapore's premier Lee Hsien Loong said earlier this month that the multicultural city-state of over 3.5 million people is not ready for a non-ethnic Chinese premier in the near future.
"We are still not united if we can't even agree on having a school where all children study together regardless of race, so how can we push aside racial concerns?" Mahathir said.
"Unless people come together and try to have something in common... how can you have a party representing all the different races? You have to have a base first."
Mahathir's nemesis, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, has declared his Keadilan party the nation's first multiracial party as its members and supporters are drawn from all three racial groups.
You know what's sad, is that in a way, however slight it may be...I actually agree with Dr. Mahathir. Not that we are not ready to abandon race-based politics, but that even in schools we are all still allowing our children to continue with a system of education that invites segregation and disunity among the population from a very young age. I mean, already we are seeing that in Chinese and Indian schools, kids must take 7 subjects, whilst in Malay schools, kids only have to take 5. Inequality?
Let me tell you I would be disgustingly annoyed if a quarter of my classmates were told 'Hey, you only have to take 3 subjects' whilst I get told that I'm forced to take 6, and then to add insult to injury, I must excel in all my 6 subjects while Tom/Dick&Harry over there can simply revel in the glory of 3As and go into the same field of work that I want to get into.
In Australia, we have a choice as to what KIND of subjects we take, but really, in the end we all still have to take 6 subjects, no matter what we end up deciding to do.
I have my own ideas on how to improve the education system although I will not propose any reforms here. To be honest, I do not need the government coming to arrest me under the ISA because I 'criticised the education system' and in doing so, have somehow managed to 'insult Islam'.
But I think that Dr. Mahathir is very quick to shift the blame on education. A suggestion I might make? [I am still not criticising Dr. M...at this point, it might seem as though I'm just trying to save my ass, but if I've said something, I actually mean it] We need a base? Yes, let's make a base. Let's start with politics. Children will follow the actions and thoughts of the adults who guide them and teach them. So let's begin at with the people who can make the reform and set an example, so that we may eventually change things and create a more united Malaysia. It is never too late to start anything, and really, it should not matter where this starting point is.
At the same time...parties can be multicultural. They can be if we let them. Just because the head of the party at the moment may be of a certain race does not mean that the whole party will lean towards that race's point of view. Looking at the general picture, if we have a Chinese head one term, a Kadazan head on another term, maybe a Malay head after that...it will show. We need to be as democratic as possible, and to elect a leader among that individual party, no matter what race they are. They should be judged on their qualities. So perhaps a Malay might be the best man/woman for the job. But surely after 50 years, a good Chinese leader must have emerged at some stage. Or a good Indian leader must be popular and good with the people in the past 50 years.
And so what if Singapore is a totalitarian Chinese nation? Must we follow Singapore? Can we not begin our own path, and allow it to be one that leads to fairness and equality? One where the Chinese are not seen as 'immigrants', where the Indians are not shunned and marginalised, and one where society may finally acknowledge the true 'bumiputeras' if, there in fact, are any...The Orang Asli, the Orang Kadazan, the Orang Jakun... Somehow we seem to forget that they are a part of the Malaysian society and that they have been there for much longer than even the Malays have been.
But then, maybe we should remember that we were all immigrants at one stage in time. If you believe in the theory of evolution and migration, that is. So let's just get rid of all this 'bumiputera' nonsense. The Malays are no more bumiputera than the Chinese and Indians, the Orang Kadazan, the Orang Jakun, the Orang Asli and so on. It would certainly save on a lot of squabbling and create a better sense of equality in an already divided nation.
50 years since independence...since the day 'Merdeka' was uttered proudly and loudly in Merdeka Square. I wonder if it was all for nothing.
Mishy <3
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Beijing Olympics '08
This one is being held in China this year. And I must say, I think the Olympic committee made a brilliant decision, deciding to host it in China this year. That, or they were bribed rather well by the Chinese.
08/08/08. Beginning at 08:08pm.
It's really interesting how they've managed to get it on what would seem to be China's luckiest day of all.
Watching the Olympics, I incredibly impressed with the idea of the scroll, and the meaning behind it. The body calligraphy amazed me [because I had no idea how the guy knew where to put down the brush] and the lighting of the cauldron [after all the useless running around] was definitely a highlight. I was also rather impressed with the drums at the beginning, although I didn't actually like the way they gradually started looking more and more like a kaleidoscope than a drumming performance. I looked forward to a dragon/lion dance and, okay, I was pretty disappointed that none came. I can honestly say that it is the highlight of my Chinese New Year, and not having it at the Olympics made me sulk a bit.
People say that China is all for precision. Nothing must be out of place. Everything must be perfect.
But in a sense, I'd say that this is what makes China, China. The precision is a sight to behold, especially in a country like Australia where no one likes to listen to authority. [the year 8s and 9s at every school are proof]
When the athletes came out, this had to be my highlight of the entire ceremony, possibly excepting the lighting of the cauldron.
And many people found it boring because, let's be serious, they only had one country to support, and most probably didn't know the flags of all the countries, much less the names.
I, on the other hand, found it extremely difficult to figure out whom I should be cheering for. After living in these places, who do you say deserves to get your support the most? South Africa, or Australia? Indonesia, or Malaysia? The Philippines, or Singapore? [not that I have lived in Singapore, but I believe they're worth supporting] And of course, should I be supporting China- the place where my roots come from, or Hong Kong- where my grand-uncle currently resides? England- to where at least a quarter of my mates have moved, or Canada- where at least a tenth have moved?
Of course, I didn't actually think about it too much, and cheered for all of them all the same.
My brother and I also stayed up the entire night, comparing team sizes [we have decided that China's is by far the biggest and the best, after having to re-evaluate our opinion of the size of the American team- both in numbers and in height] and trying to figure out where each flag came from. We didn't exactly know every country, nor did we know where they all came from either, but we figured all of them out based on the flag and the costumes they wore.
My mother, after all these years of travelling, still didn't know how to figure out if a country was from the Bahamas or Africa just based on the flag and the costumes alone. Her education has been wasted.
And according to a lot of my South African friends, plenty of people were thinking about me during the Olympic ceremony.
I had only one thought when I was told this: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???
In St. Stithians Girls' College, I was the only Chinese girl in my grade. There were more chinese girls in the grades below. But the Boys' College had even more chinese in one grade than the girls college had put together in the whole school.
So really, why am I the one who's being thought of during the Olympic Opening Ceremony??
I know I have [or, well, HAD] a Chinese counterpart in my grade back at Saints, and my counterpart is also an actual Chinese from China. Unlike me, since I am from Malaysia. It made no sense whatsoever. He is more Chinese than I am, he's in Jo'burg at Saints where he can remind them of his presence daily, and I am the one who gets thought of? A friend from the boys college even sent me a message congratulating me on the performance in China. I was incredibly shocked.
I suppose it was a stereotype thing. I'm not concentrating on it too much and I really can't do much except to shake my head in wonder.
Although I can't help but wonder if I perhaps left my mark on Saints a little too clearly.
Mishy <3
08/08/08. Beginning at 08:08pm.
It's really interesting how they've managed to get it on what would seem to be China's luckiest day of all.
Watching the Olympics, I incredibly impressed with the idea of the scroll, and the meaning behind it. The body calligraphy amazed me [because I had no idea how the guy knew where to put down the brush] and the lighting of the cauldron [after all the useless running around] was definitely a highlight. I was also rather impressed with the drums at the beginning, although I didn't actually like the way they gradually started looking more and more like a kaleidoscope than a drumming performance. I looked forward to a dragon/lion dance and, okay, I was pretty disappointed that none came. I can honestly say that it is the highlight of my Chinese New Year, and not having it at the Olympics made me sulk a bit.
People say that China is all for precision. Nothing must be out of place. Everything must be perfect.
But in a sense, I'd say that this is what makes China, China. The precision is a sight to behold, especially in a country like Australia where no one likes to listen to authority. [the year 8s and 9s at every school are proof]
When the athletes came out, this had to be my highlight of the entire ceremony, possibly excepting the lighting of the cauldron.
And many people found it boring because, let's be serious, they only had one country to support, and most probably didn't know the flags of all the countries, much less the names.
I, on the other hand, found it extremely difficult to figure out whom I should be cheering for. After living in these places, who do you say deserves to get your support the most? South Africa, or Australia? Indonesia, or Malaysia? The Philippines, or Singapore? [not that I have lived in Singapore, but I believe they're worth supporting] And of course, should I be supporting China- the place where my roots come from, or Hong Kong- where my grand-uncle currently resides? England- to where at least a quarter of my mates have moved, or Canada- where at least a tenth have moved?
Of course, I didn't actually think about it too much, and cheered for all of them all the same.
My brother and I also stayed up the entire night, comparing team sizes [we have decided that China's is by far the biggest and the best, after having to re-evaluate our opinion of the size of the American team- both in numbers and in height] and trying to figure out where each flag came from. We didn't exactly know every country, nor did we know where they all came from either, but we figured all of them out based on the flag and the costumes they wore.
My mother, after all these years of travelling, still didn't know how to figure out if a country was from the Bahamas or Africa just based on the flag and the costumes alone. Her education has been wasted.
And according to a lot of my South African friends, plenty of people were thinking about me during the Olympic ceremony.
I had only one thought when I was told this: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???
In St. Stithians Girls' College, I was the only Chinese girl in my grade. There were more chinese girls in the grades below. But the Boys' College had even more chinese in one grade than the girls college had put together in the whole school.
So really, why am I the one who's being thought of during the Olympic Opening Ceremony??
I know I have [or, well, HAD] a Chinese counterpart in my grade back at Saints, and my counterpart is also an actual Chinese from China. Unlike me, since I am from Malaysia. It made no sense whatsoever. He is more Chinese than I am, he's in Jo'burg at Saints where he can remind them of his presence daily, and I am the one who gets thought of? A friend from the boys college even sent me a message congratulating me on the performance in China. I was incredibly shocked.
I suppose it was a stereotype thing. I'm not concentrating on it too much and I really can't do much except to shake my head in wonder.
Although I can't help but wonder if I perhaps left my mark on Saints a little too clearly.
Mishy <3
Friday, 30 May 2008
Democratic Choice?
Democracy- where people have a choice through a free and fair voting system.
Sure, Malaysia is no liberal nation, but I sure as hell thought we were democratic.
My friend *Kari* has just been called up for NS, and for many reasons, am not entirely sure if I am too happy about it.
First up: National Service [NS] is a programme whereby a group of people [preferably young people obviuosly] train together for a few months, in the method of warfare, after which they are sent back home, and will be mobilised for the event that a war comes to the nation.
In Israel, every man is called up at 18, and the NS programme is repeated for all male over 18 every two years.
In Singapore, NS is held for every 18 year old male for two years, after which they are free to do as they please [law abidingly]
And in Malaysia, females and males alike are called up at 18 years in a random selection.
In each case, skiving is punishable.
And you know, these people don't actually get a choice. It's compulsory for the chosen ones. In Israel, where war is always up and running on the borders, NS is an important part of survival and life. Of course, if the rest of Islamic Middle East and Israel just stopped warring, they might not have to, but that's besides the point.
The point is that the people who are selected have no choice. In Singapore, no matter where you are in the world, every 18 year old male has to go back and complete his assigned time. In Malaysia, it's slightly better. Malaysians who are overseas, like me, merely have to send proof of my residence in another country should I get chosen, and they will accept it. But what about the others in the country who don't want to go? What about the ones who do? Those people have no excuse- their only escape is to leave the country before they turn 18. Is that really fair?
More importantly, what about the bananas like me? I can't speak malay very well, I'd get bullied and pushed over the minute I stepped into the bus for being 'culturally white'. Well, more Caucasian than most Malaysians anyway.
Then there's the danger factor. Since this programme started up in Malaysia in 2004, I have heard of nothing but rapes. I honestly believe that these instructors can be dangerous people.
All in all, some people may have had good experiences concerning NS, I am not saying that it is totally bad. But honestly? It sounds a bit like harrasment to me.
Mishy <3
Sure, Malaysia is no liberal nation, but I sure as hell thought we were democratic.
My friend *Kari* has just been called up for NS, and for many reasons, am not entirely sure if I am too happy about it.
First up: National Service [NS] is a programme whereby a group of people [preferably young people obviuosly] train together for a few months, in the method of warfare, after which they are sent back home, and will be mobilised for the event that a war comes to the nation.
In Israel, every man is called up at 18, and the NS programme is repeated for all male over 18 every two years.
In Singapore, NS is held for every 18 year old male for two years, after which they are free to do as they please [law abidingly]
And in Malaysia, females and males alike are called up at 18 years in a random selection.
In each case, skiving is punishable.
And you know, these people don't actually get a choice. It's compulsory for the chosen ones. In Israel, where war is always up and running on the borders, NS is an important part of survival and life. Of course, if the rest of Islamic Middle East and Israel just stopped warring, they might not have to, but that's besides the point.
The point is that the people who are selected have no choice. In Singapore, no matter where you are in the world, every 18 year old male has to go back and complete his assigned time. In Malaysia, it's slightly better. Malaysians who are overseas, like me, merely have to send proof of my residence in another country should I get chosen, and they will accept it. But what about the others in the country who don't want to go? What about the ones who do? Those people have no excuse- their only escape is to leave the country before they turn 18. Is that really fair?
More importantly, what about the bananas like me? I can't speak malay very well, I'd get bullied and pushed over the minute I stepped into the bus for being 'culturally white'. Well, more Caucasian than most Malaysians anyway.
Then there's the danger factor. Since this programme started up in Malaysia in 2004, I have heard of nothing but rapes. I honestly believe that these instructors can be dangerous people.
All in all, some people may have had good experiences concerning NS, I am not saying that it is totally bad. But honestly? It sounds a bit like harrasment to me.
Mishy <3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
