Pak Lah, take responsibility for Umno’s racism
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 20, 2006

Somehow non-Malays feel that the Umnoputras, which include Khairy Jamaluddin, would not have racially abused their fellow countrymen had they not got the nod from the PM himself, says a reader.

On 'Hisham and his keris' remark shocks Karpal 

Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah, Sri Lankan community youth leader: Karpal, don’t worry, the PM will not charge this man or ask him to retract his words. They are the ‘untouchables’ in Umno - no one can question them and they are protected under the party’s constitution.

Somehow non-Malays feel that the Umnoputras, which include Khairy Jamaluddin, would not have racially abused their fellow countrymen had they not got the nod from the PM himself to bring up these issues to instill fear and hatred towards the non-Malays in this country.

Come on, the PM had told Umno delegates to be sensitive towards the BN component parties and other Malaysians when they spoke but no one gave a damn. It's either Abdullah has given his blessings or he is such a lame-duck prime minister and Umno president that even Umno Youth don’t care a damn about what he says.

The prime minister should resign and take full responsibility for the clowns in his circus

As for Hishammuddin, I dare him to take his ‘keris’ along when he campaigns at the next general elections. It looks like with these imbeciles damaging themselves, Dr Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim don't have much campaigning to do after all...

Sadirah K: I am somewhat surprised by the rhetoric at the Umno general assembly. To blame others and to cast aspersions on the achievements of non-Malay entrepreneurs shows a lack of responsibility.

Yes, Public Bank is doing well because it is managed professionally. Can the same be said of Bank Bumiputera or Bank Islam? Who is to blame for this? While we have the right to criticise, we must also have the courage to look at ourselves. With all the help that the GLCs have secured, just ponder on what are the achievements of MAS, Guthrie, Telekoms and Tenaga. If you factor the huge loans that have been taken, all these undertakings will be in the red.

How come many of the blue-chip companies helmed by non-bumis are doing fairly well and are above questionable issues while the same cannot be said for those that continue to be bailed out. The government can keep on paying and supporting questionable ventures but without professionalism and accountability, greed is the factor that will undercut everything.

Self-respecting bumis will be very disappointed with Umno’s rhetoric especially after 36 years of NEP and the call to continue with this dependency syndrome. The Malays are a self-respecting and capable group, endowed with as much intelligence and ability as any other races.

Those who think less of them are racists and those who create policies that affirm continuously their so-called weak position are greater racists. Given their leadership position in this land they need to have the vision to pull together all the various groups so that we can make a difference. If they cannot do this then this is the failure of leadership.

You cannot paint your own cabin while the ship is sinking. Our only choice is to pull together, otherwise, Malaysia is not truly Asia.

YSM: Let the rakyat remember the very words uttered by these Malay supremists when the general elections come around. We all know that with the general elections, the rhetoric switches to one of a more conciliatory voice; ie Malaysian unity, BN component hand-in-hand serving the people, acknowledgment of the Chinese contribution, working together for a better tomorrow, etc, etc.

I already feel sick in anticipation of the government’s rhetoric when 2008 comes around. We, the rakyat must not forget the words uttered by young upstarts like Khairy, Hasnoor and old veterans like Mohd Rahmat, who speak of amok and blood.

This is the voice of a double-headed animal. Unfortunately, this is what gives politics in Malaysia a bad name. Politics is not dirty. It’s only when we have politicians who have no shame, no principles and devoid of any integrity in what they say that politics become dirty.

On Perhaps it’s time to pack our bags 

Cheah: As a Malaysian, it is my responsibility to fight for my rights. I enjoy no more and no less of a right than the delegates at the Umno gatherings. Why should one packs one's bags because of comments of some delegates. Like the majority of my fellow Malaysians, I am born and brought up in Malaysia. My forefathers came to this country generations ago and through their blood, sweat and tears helped develop Malaysia..

A 'second-class citizen' mentality invites others to treat you as such. All Malaysians, regardless of race should understand that, for better or for worse, they are stakeholders in this country. Let no one else tell you otherwise.

On Inter-faith dialogues - nothing to fear 

Ahmad Fuad: As a strict practicing Muslim, I declare my full agreement with Dr JR Gurusamy. Inter-faith dialogues, held in the right spirit and for the right reasons may even benefit both sides, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. A mukmin with the proper "tauhid" and "aqidah" firmly entrenched, have nothing to fear of any fallout from any form of dialogue.

But of course, there is this big problem. By and large, the teaching of Islam in Malaysia are done with 99 percent emphasis on rituals. In short, the religion is all about the form, almost nil on the substance. The sum total of this system is what we see happening now. We are always in fear, that a dialogue would inevitably lead to apostasy.

And this fear, if I may add, is but only one net result of the (Islamic) education system. The others being drugs, glue-sniffing, Mat Rempits, etc, etc, etc.

On PKR Youth defends ‘Malay traitor’ Anwar 

Meng: He is not a Malay traitor. He is a true national hero. No Malaysian politician in BN has gone to prison twice for standing up for his principles and belief. No Malaysian politician in Umno has sacrificed so much of his family life in defence of the weak and downtrodden. No Malaysian politician has had the guts to stand up to Dr Mahathir.

No Malay has suffered so much humiliation, shame and injustice. May I also remind that the humiliation, shame and injustice heaped upon him and his family was condoned and supported by Umno and the mastermind to shame this Malay man were the works of Umno top leadership in 1998. Is this the way Umno protects its own?

Dato Seri Anwar has an impeccable record of helping the poor in Malaysia. He has also initiated many projects for the police force in helping them with housing when he was DPM. Dato Seri Anwar brought Umno to its height and yet this party kicked him out, humiliated and shamed him publicly. Is this what Mahathir’s Asian values is all about?

So to the young Umno ‘chikus’ - have a little more respect for a fellow Malay who has definitely sacrificed more than you could ever imagine in your lifetime.

Copyright © 1999-2006 Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd