Marginalisation? Yes, says Gerakan leader
Malaysiakini
Sep 29, 2006

The non-Malays, especially Indian Malaysians, have been subjected to marginalisation and 'discriminatory' policies, said Gerakan Youth vice-chairperson S Paranjothy.

According to him, this has led the Indian community here to become similar to the blacks in the United States.

“The government is disinterested in helping the Indian community although a majority of them are deprived due to the discriminating policies, amongst others,” he added in a hard-hitting statement.

The Barisan Nasional component party leader was responding to the flurry of criticisms against Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew for claiming that the Chinese in Malaysia are marginalised.

Among the vocal critics was former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who called for an independent probe on why the Malays were allegedly marginalised in Singapore.

The government yesterday summoned the Singaporean ambassador, and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who labelled Lee's remarks unjustified, said he had sent a letter to the Singapore government.

However, Paranjothy said the Malaysian government should launch an independent probe to determine why the minority Indian community here are also “marginalised and ignored.”

The Gerakan leader said government scholarships, university placement and business loans were hard to come by for the community.

“The Indian community is pressured, marginalised, oppressed and ignored. Economically, they are the most neglected group in Malaysia.

“It is no surprise that the statistics of Indians committing violent crimes, involvement in gangsterism is very high. The Indian community here has become like the black Americans,” he added.

Is there equal opportunity?

Paranjothy said while Singapore should look into its own ‘marginalisation and oppression’ of ethic minorities, things are not rosy in Malaysia either.

“In reality, are non-Malays given equal opportunities in Malaysia? Outwardly everything seems fair but in reality there seems to be disparities and marginalisation taking place in our own backyard,” he added.

Paranjothy also focused on the New Economic Policy (NEP), which he said is now regarded as the ‘Never Ending Policy’ to achieve the 30% target for bumiputera corporate equity.

“The NEP was for a period of 30 years beginning from the year 1970 but a request was made by Umno Youth to extend the period till the year 2020...

“In order for the bumiputera to achieve their target, other races are deprived of their right to progress further,” he said.

Paranjothy cited several areas where the alleged discrimination of non-Malays was apparent:

    * Intake into institutions of higher learning, quotas are set for critical courses (professional) which the bumiputera are lacking in. Government scholarships are not given according to merits.

    * Non-Malays are deprived of intake and promotion in civil service, which are dominated by the Malays. Non-Malays are not given opportunities to hold high positions in government bodies like the armed forces, police and civil service.

    * There is no freedom of speech and religion in accordance to the Federal Constitution.

    * Issues relating to religion and race are regarded as sensitive as there is no room for open and rational discussion.

    * The intimidation of Kelana Jaya MP (MCA’s Loh Seng Kok), the protest against Article 11 and Article 121 of the Federal Constitution, giving an ultimatum and trying to topple the (Penang) state government, headed by a non-Malay chief minister (Gerakan deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Khoon).

    * Recent statements and decisions made by elected Malay politicians have been discriminating and contains a lot of racial slur.

    * There are allegations of discrimination and favouritism in the selection of athletes and sportsmen to represent the country.

Contacted later, Paranjothy said his views did not reflect the stand of his party, whose top leaders have strongly criticised Singapore’s minister mentor for his remark.