Would he have apologised if BN won its two-thirds?
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 28, 2008
Hamisu 

I refer to the Malaysiakini
MCPX
report Hisham apologises for keris act.

Finally Hishammuddin apologises to the nation for the keris antics. I find it hard to believe this is a sincere apology. In times when Umno ruled with might, this apology would never have come. It is the arrogance of Umno that has resulted in its failure. The keris antic no doubt stirs up racial lines again, over and over. Would Hishammuddin have apologised if BN had again won with a two-thirds majority? I doubt. This is the last act to appease angry voters not to vote Umno/BN out in the next general election.

Umno, MCA and MIC have failed to understand we do not need racial politics anymore. Ever thought of how many millions are spent on race integration programmes? After half-a-century, we are still not integrated? Pray tell, how come this race integration has turned into ‘tolerance’? If BN still doesn't get it, here's what I think. I believe, generally, the majority would agree with me.

The issue of ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ has been the root cause of the failed race integration programme. Umno has kept insisting on upholding ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ even though this actually contradicts with our constitution where everyone living in Malaysia is given equal opportunities. So, what exactly is ‘Ketuanan Melayu’? It is a mindset that the Malays are a superior race compared to the rest. Must I remind Umno it is no longer living in the days of the Melaka sultanate? Things have changed. Living in the past will not advance you. It definitely will make you stuck in time.

I actually don't care about the ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ mindset. I do care when it is used to justify irresponsible discrimination against non-Malays in the country. Look at all the policies of so- called positive discrimination. It has been abused to the point it has become legitimate. I do not support a policy that suppresses the right and dignity of other races. We know that many non- Malays have lost opportunities to a better life due to this racist policy. The non-Malays have never once robbed the Malays of opportunities as what Umno would like to portray. The non- Malays worked very hard to achieve what they have today. Opportunities turn into realities for those make an effort and do something about it. To Umno and ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ fans, look in the mirror before you blame others. I'd like to include something my manager has repeatedly told us - ‘between reason and excuse is a very, very fine line’.

BN component parties, especially MCA and MIC, are just seen as subservient to Umno. Whatever Umno does, they do not object at all. Until only recently. No wonder the Chinese and Indians did not vote for MCA and MIC. More so with MIC and MCA yapping that they are the only parties that can legitimately represent the interests of the Indians and Chinese respectively. But Umno really has been the sole reason for BN's defeat. I take the example from the keris -waving incident. Yes, it's only a symbol, as Hishammuddin claims. However, we know and we see how you behave with the keris, it shows aggression. To further emphasise this, Umno members asked when the keris would be used.

Interestingly enough, they were not detained under the ISA. In fact, Hishammuddin should be detained under ISA on the charge of disrupting national unity. Double standards are alive and kicking!

I need to further ask why they keep reminding the non-Malays of the dark days of May 13? BN has never failed to remind Malaysians ‘Remember May 13'. Should I ask all Malaysians to think and contemplate what actually lead to and caused the race riots? Have we not learnt anything from the race riots? I doubt Umno and BN have. They are still reminding us when they should be taking steps to address the cause.

Malaysians now have an alternative which is the Pakatan Rakyat. I do not need a Chinese to fight for Chinese rights. I do not need an Indian to fight for Indian rights. What I need is a genuine interest to protect the rights of every single Malaysian citizen be it done by a Malay, Indian, Chinese or others. There isn't any genuine interest by Umno to address this.

The final word is, without equality and respect for one another, don't expect any integration towards a Bangsa Malaysia. No matter how much the government pours into race integration programmes, our race relations are at the poorest levels. The current generation of Malaysians are not dumb, illiterate, or idiots. I, for one, will not subject myself to race discrimination ever, unlike what my parents have endured. Malays have their special rights. However, I think the poor need special rights more than anyone else.

Umno has not wised up yet. I'll be glad to organise a farewell celebration for Umno come the next general election. Pakatan Rakyat should approach the problems of contemporary Malaysia differently from BN.

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