I wrote an Open Letter to Dr Chandra Muzaffar in response to his article in The Star (see post before this), and this is his reply. I'm glad he did reply. But after reading Obama's speech on race, I know that there has to be a way that does not divide us. His readings on race in America has everything to do with Malaysian issues on race and unity. Read/watch and be inspired. Anyway, without bias, I present to you Dr Chandra's reply to my Open Letter:
http://malaysiavotes.com/wp/
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
An Open Letter to Chandra Muzaffar
Dear Dr Chandra Muzaffar,
I remember the first time I saw you speaking. I was in my sixth form and you were speaking in a public forum at the Komtar Dome in Penang. I was in awe of your intellectual courage. You spoke the language of justice and equality in an environment where equality seemed a dirty word.
Fast forward two decades later, reading your analysis on BN's dismal showing at the polls (The Polls - and the BN debacle, The Star, March 17), I must say, I was disappointed. You seemed to have regressed. And your words belie a lack of understanding and sympathy for fellow Malaysians who long to be counted as equal citizens of this country.
I have no problems when you criticised Anwar Ibrahim although it was clear you took advantage of the platform readily offered to you by the pro-BN media. You are entitled to your opinions and I believed that you had your reasons to warn us against Anwar.
Although your choice of platform dents your integrity, I am all too willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. After all, I too, do not trust Anwar Ibrahim entirely, just as I distrust any DAP, PKR, PAS or BN leaders. I would rather invest my time not in bolstering support for any political parties or leaders, but in strengthening the democratic structures of this country - the media, the judicial system, the electoral process, the right to information. For only these structures can guarantee a nation free from the corruption of power and the tyrannies of all too powerful governments.
Back to your article in The Star, I thought your analysis on the Opposition's sterling performance was myopic. You suggest that the Opposition managed to attract votes because they harnessed ethnic discontentment "to the hilt" - from the Hindraf debacle, the Malay response towards it, to the keris waving incident and the non-Malay reaction against it.
You seem to see everything through a racial lens. And instead of moving beyond it, you are imprisoned by it. Your analysis of why non-Malays voted heavily for the Opposition is one of protest and racial dissatisfaction. But I think you fail to realize that many of us voted for a new politics, one that is non-racial based, non-discriminatory and inclusive.
Referring to Anwar as being a successful personality in harnessing this racial dissatisfaction, you said:
"...whenever a prominent Malay leader articulates non-Malay grievances, the Chinese and Indian anti-establishment vote shoots up significantly. It is as if they are encouraged, even emboldened, by the stance of the Malay leader."
I am one of the many, many who voted for the Opposition and I did so NOT because I am encouraged, even embolddened by a Malay leader. To suggest that is offensive, and it shows your ignorance and condescension to non-Malay voters.
I voted the Opposition because I am sick of BN racialised politics and corruption. I want a party that reflects my vision of a Malaysia for all Malaysians. Not one that tells me that I need an MCA or an MIC to fight for my rights. As a citizen of this country, why aren't my rights already protected? Why do I need a party to fight for my rights based on my ethnicity?
I also do not agree with you assessment that racial discontentment is the reason why voters deserted the BN. Many international media portrayed the elections like this: "Malaysians go to the polls amidst racial tension." That's misleading. This election is not one of interracial discontentment.
Malaysian Malays, Chinese and Indians are NOT fighting among themselves or hating each other. What they are doing is throwing out the old order that divide us and continually tell us that some of us are above others, and others should just be thankful for being allowed to exist on this land.
That is why we see so many first time voters, and non-Malays voting heavily against the BN, but voting not just for the DAP but for PAS and PKR. In Titiwangsa, a mixed constituency where Dr Lo Lo of PAS was contesting, I saw many lower income Chinese in their 40s and 50s wearing PAS caps and campaigning for the party. At many constituencies where PKR was contesting, I saw Indian youths carrying PKR flags, zig zagging on their motorbikes. At Lembah Pantai, when Raja Petra with Anwar Ibrahim declared that Indians and Chinese would be defended with Malay bodies, the largely Malay audience erupted into cheers. All this clearly shows that many, many of us have transcended the racial allegiance that the BN expects us to hang on to.
I believe we are seeing the dawn of a new nationalism. Malaysians are asking - what does it mean to be a Malaysian. In fact, we are not only asking, we are answering it with our votes. It's a search for a new Identity. We want a Malaysia where all Malaysians are equal.
I think the role of public intellectuals like you should be to articulate that hunger and move the nation away from the harmful ideology and practices that may have served us before, but no longer now.
In doing so, we need to be aware of our language. Quit drawing on that same old racialised language because it won't work anymore. And listen to the youths of today. It is their vision that will define the country from now on.
This letter is in response to Dr Chandra Muzaffar's article on "The Polls - and the BN Debacle" http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/17/nation/20664583&sec=nation published in The Star newspaper on Monday, March 17, 2008.
I remember the first time I saw you speaking. I was in my sixth form and you were speaking in a public forum at the Komtar Dome in Penang. I was in awe of your intellectual courage. You spoke the language of justice and equality in an environment where equality seemed a dirty word.
Fast forward two decades later, reading your analysis on BN's dismal showing at the polls (The Polls - and the BN debacle, The Star, March 17), I must say, I was disappointed. You seemed to have regressed. And your words belie a lack of understanding and sympathy for fellow Malaysians who long to be counted as equal citizens of this country.
I have no problems when you criticised Anwar Ibrahim although it was clear you took advantage of the platform readily offered to you by the pro-BN media. You are entitled to your opinions and I believed that you had your reasons to warn us against Anwar.
Although your choice of platform dents your integrity, I am all too willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. After all, I too, do not trust Anwar Ibrahim entirely, just as I distrust any DAP, PKR, PAS or BN leaders. I would rather invest my time not in bolstering support for any political parties or leaders, but in strengthening the democratic structures of this country - the media, the judicial system, the electoral process, the right to information. For only these structures can guarantee a nation free from the corruption of power and the tyrannies of all too powerful governments.
Back to your article in The Star, I thought your analysis on the Opposition's sterling performance was myopic. You suggest that the Opposition managed to attract votes because they harnessed ethnic discontentment "to the hilt" - from the Hindraf debacle, the Malay response towards it, to the keris waving incident and the non-Malay reaction against it.
You seem to see everything through a racial lens. And instead of moving beyond it, you are imprisoned by it. Your analysis of why non-Malays voted heavily for the Opposition is one of protest and racial dissatisfaction. But I think you fail to realize that many of us voted for a new politics, one that is non-racial based, non-discriminatory and inclusive.
Referring to Anwar as being a successful personality in harnessing this racial dissatisfaction, you said:
"...whenever a prominent Malay leader articulates non-Malay grievances, the Chinese and Indian anti-establishment vote shoots up significantly. It is as if they are encouraged, even emboldened, by the stance of the Malay leader."
I am one of the many, many who voted for the Opposition and I did so NOT because I am encouraged, even embolddened by a Malay leader. To suggest that is offensive, and it shows your ignorance and condescension to non-Malay voters.
I voted the Opposition because I am sick of BN racialised politics and corruption. I want a party that reflects my vision of a Malaysia for all Malaysians. Not one that tells me that I need an MCA or an MIC to fight for my rights. As a citizen of this country, why aren't my rights already protected? Why do I need a party to fight for my rights based on my ethnicity?
I also do not agree with you assessment that racial discontentment is the reason why voters deserted the BN. Many international media portrayed the elections like this: "Malaysians go to the polls amidst racial tension." That's misleading. This election is not one of interracial discontentment.
Malaysian Malays, Chinese and Indians are NOT fighting among themselves or hating each other. What they are doing is throwing out the old order that divide us and continually tell us that some of us are above others, and others should just be thankful for being allowed to exist on this land.
That is why we see so many first time voters, and non-Malays voting heavily against the BN, but voting not just for the DAP but for PAS and PKR. In Titiwangsa, a mixed constituency where Dr Lo Lo of PAS was contesting, I saw many lower income Chinese in their 40s and 50s wearing PAS caps and campaigning for the party. At many constituencies where PKR was contesting, I saw Indian youths carrying PKR flags, zig zagging on their motorbikes. At Lembah Pantai, when Raja Petra with Anwar Ibrahim declared that Indians and Chinese would be defended with Malay bodies, the largely Malay audience erupted into cheers. All this clearly shows that many, many of us have transcended the racial allegiance that the BN expects us to hang on to.
I believe we are seeing the dawn of a new nationalism. Malaysians are asking - what does it mean to be a Malaysian. In fact, we are not only asking, we are answering it with our votes. It's a search for a new Identity. We want a Malaysia where all Malaysians are equal.
I think the role of public intellectuals like you should be to articulate that hunger and move the nation away from the harmful ideology and practices that may have served us before, but no longer now.
In doing so, we need to be aware of our language. Quit drawing on that same old racialised language because it won't work anymore. And listen to the youths of today. It is their vision that will define the country from now on.
This letter is in response to Dr Chandra Muzaffar's article on "The Polls - and the BN Debacle" http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/17/nation/20664583&sec=nation published in The Star newspaper on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
THE REBIRTHING OF MALAYSIA
It is not a Race thing, it is an Identity thing।
A number of international media reported that Malaysians head to the polls amidst racial tensions. They show pictures of Hindraf supporters throwing rocks, PAS within the Bersih march and FRUs spraying on demonstrators. It gives the misleading picture that racial strife is the main factor for the defeat of BN.
I don't believe that analysis is correct. I believe that we are seeing a new nationalism. Malaysians are asking - what does it mean to be a Malaysian. In fact, they're not only asking, they are answering it with their votes. It's a search for a new Identity. We want a Malaysia where all Malaysians are equal. That is why we see such a high turnout of first time voters who predominantly vote for the opposition.
These are the younger generation who were born after independance and do not share the divisive racial politics that came with the creation of the Malaysian nation state. They ask: Why should some Malaysians be less equal than others?
They vent their frustrations through the unofficial channels. If BN leaders have bothered to read blogs and web news, they would have an inkling into how huge this discontentment is. Instead they only believed in the mainstream media that has ironically created a bubble of illusion that led to their own downfall.
Non-Malays voted overwhelmingly for the opposition because they don't want to be 2nd and 3rd class citizens anymore. The Indian's call for Makkal Sakti- People Power which demolished the MIC and in places that are split between BN and opposition, their "minority" vote tip the scales away from BN.
As for the sway of Malay votes away from the BN, there is a palpable disgust that the BN is not doing enough to fight corruption and Bumiputera privileges meant little to them when they feel that wealth is only distributed among BN elites.
Anwar Ibrahim is savvy and he has been echoing this sentiment in all his ceramahs. He calls for an end to the NEP, and still attracted the Malay votes. And that's because the opposition coalition recognised that hunger, that cry for equality and the need to belong and answered it - Justice and equality for all. Even PAS has caught on. Nik Aziz says Islam does not discriminate. I saw many Indian youths and elderly Chinese bearing PAS flags campaigning for PAS.
The only party that is oblivious to this hunger is well - the BN। They are still scratching their heads wondeing what hit them. They can't hope to understand because their very existence is what is so hateful to many. They represent the old politics of divide and rule. Race-based politics where UMNO as the Malay party must be KIng to all other ethnic groups. And if you are not Malay by their definition, you are merely a "pendatang" who is here by their grace. "We should be grateful" is perhaps the most hated oft repeated line of the BN leaders to any dissenting voice. I say to them -They should be grateful for the overtime we have given them.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
CAPTURE THE MOMENT: LAY DOWN THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE FUTURE
I am a happy and proud Malaysian. In fact, I am deliriously gleeful!
Why?
One: All the BNs are forced to एअत humble pie. Now what happened to all the keris waving arrogance? And what a waste of front cover pages speculating the next Chief Minister among BN chinese last week.
Two: The electoral process is actually working? I was one of the many, many whose name has been moved to another constituency without my knowledge and can't move it back.
Three (and this is the most important): The people found their voice and their power!
The victory goes to my Indian brothers and sisters who are sick of being talked down and treated like 3rd class citizens. Perhaps they didnt know the power they have in their hands - literally. And with every pangkah against the BN, they spoke their minds clearly and decisevily. Hasta la vista Samy!
Also, to the young and first time voters who made the biggest bullk of opposition voters. It's time we don't discount their idealism because the country belongs to them now. It is their time and they will decide what kind of government they want and who to be entrusted to run it.
There must be so many things to do, so many policies to reform and so many drains to unclog, while having to deal with the still majority BN.(I'm talking to the opposition because I have no faith in any BN reps. They are so used to preaching without listening.)
The opposition must prioritise their fight so that at the end of their 5 years, they have something strong and concrete to show - something that will last and will ensure that the pillars of democracy - a free and vibrant media, a clean judiaciary, and the rule of law (end to corruption) - will be nurtured, developed and last. Even when they have long been voted out, they will be remembered for their brief time they serve as wakil rakyat - servants of the people. Forget about all the nitty gritties and focus on the meat.
1) First, push for a RIGHT TO INFORMATION bill. This is the only way to weed out corruption and ensure accountability. When the rakyat have THE RIGHT to ask for information - to see the account books, to ask why it's not an open tender and demand for it, why a certain project is being done and how it will impact them - only then can we ever hope to weed out corrupt practices and cronyism.
2) Throw out the Printing and Publication Act. Let the press do what they are supposed to do. Only a vibrant media can ensure that the people whom we elect to serve us, actually serve us, instead of enriching themselves or subverting the judiciary for their own ends.
3) Bring back local elections! So that local authorities can be accountable for their actions. Remember Highland Towers, and how they lost their suit against the MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council) because of a special immunity protected by the Housing and Building Act. At the very least, those inept and corrupt councilors can be voted out every few years.
4) Reform the NEP so that the poor of every ethnicity benefits and not just race based. This will spell the end of race based politics and bring in a new era of Malaysia belonging to ALL MALAYSIANS.
And please, I want a government who have ethics - Put a stonger voice for Myanmar's plight and the thousands of refugees stuck on our soil without papers, any right to work or any form of protection. Protect foreign workers and disband the RELA thugs!
There are loads more to do, but I think those are good to start with. And now to my MP and representative at DUN: Sivarasa Rasiah and Elizabeth Wong (both PKR banner) -- I know who you are and where you stay!
Why?
One: All the BNs are forced to एअत humble pie. Now what happened to all the keris waving arrogance? And what a waste of front cover pages speculating the next Chief Minister among BN chinese last week.
Two: The electoral process is actually working? I was one of the many, many whose name has been moved to another constituency without my knowledge and can't move it back.
Three (and this is the most important): The people found their voice and their power!
The victory goes to my Indian brothers and sisters who are sick of being talked down and treated like 3rd class citizens. Perhaps they didnt know the power they have in their hands - literally. And with every pangkah against the BN, they spoke their minds clearly and decisevily. Hasta la vista Samy!
Also, to the young and first time voters who made the biggest bullk of opposition voters. It's time we don't discount their idealism because the country belongs to them now. It is their time and they will decide what kind of government they want and who to be entrusted to run it.
There must be so many things to do, so many policies to reform and so many drains to unclog, while having to deal with the still majority BN.(I'm talking to the opposition because I have no faith in any BN reps. They are so used to preaching without listening.)
The opposition must prioritise their fight so that at the end of their 5 years, they have something strong and concrete to show - something that will last and will ensure that the pillars of democracy - a free and vibrant media, a clean judiaciary, and the rule of law (end to corruption) - will be nurtured, developed and last. Even when they have long been voted out, they will be remembered for their brief time they serve as wakil rakyat - servants of the people. Forget about all the nitty gritties and focus on the meat.
1) First, push for a RIGHT TO INFORMATION bill. This is the only way to weed out corruption and ensure accountability. When the rakyat have THE RIGHT to ask for information - to see the account books, to ask why it's not an open tender and demand for it, why a certain project is being done and how it will impact them - only then can we ever hope to weed out corrupt practices and cronyism.
2) Throw out the Printing and Publication Act. Let the press do what they are supposed to do. Only a vibrant media can ensure that the people whom we elect to serve us, actually serve us, instead of enriching themselves or subverting the judiciary for their own ends.
3) Bring back local elections! So that local authorities can be accountable for their actions. Remember Highland Towers, and how they lost their suit against the MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council) because of a special immunity protected by the Housing and Building Act. At the very least, those inept and corrupt councilors can be voted out every few years.
4) Reform the NEP so that the poor of every ethnicity benefits and not just race based. This will spell the end of race based politics and bring in a new era of Malaysia belonging to ALL MALAYSIANS.
And please, I want a government who have ethics - Put a stonger voice for Myanmar's plight and the thousands of refugees stuck on our soil without papers, any right to work or any form of protection. Protect foreign workers and disband the RELA thugs!
There are loads more to do, but I think those are good to start with. And now to my MP and representative at DUN: Sivarasa Rasiah and Elizabeth Wong (both PKR banner) -- I know who you are and where you stay!
THE BUBBLE OF TRUTH: WHY THE BN FELL
THE mainstream media has a major role to play in why BN fell. They really have to shoulder the blame. But the biggest blame of course goes to the BN itself which had over the years cowed the media and taught it how to report what it wants to read.
This is Mahathir's legacy. While he goes around shooting his mouth that Pak Lah has destroyed the BN. It is him who had the biggest hand in removing the media's teeth. Remember Operasi Lallang.
Adept at parroting the ruling party's line, the mainstream media has created a bubble for the politicians to feel safe and secure so that they truly believe everything is rosy on the ground and they can continue to behave as they do.
They can even ignore the blogs and online media - accusing them of being frivolous. How very wrong they were. They failed to see that it is a barometer of sentiments brewing on the ground.
The mainstream newspapers, radio and TV have completely failed in their duty and very reason for their existence - the simple role of being in tune with reality and providing a truthful picture of reality. The have utterly failed the rakyat and the people whom the rakyat entrusted to take care of them.
If they have reported the real sentiments on the ground, would BN leaders have ignored it? Hmmm, on second thoughts, they might not even care.
This is Mahathir's legacy. While he goes around shooting his mouth that Pak Lah has destroyed the BN. It is him who had the biggest hand in removing the media's teeth. Remember Operasi Lallang.
Adept at parroting the ruling party's line, the mainstream media has created a bubble for the politicians to feel safe and secure so that they truly believe everything is rosy on the ground and they can continue to behave as they do.
They can even ignore the blogs and online media - accusing them of being frivolous. How very wrong they were. They failed to see that it is a barometer of sentiments brewing on the ground.
The mainstream newspapers, radio and TV have completely failed in their duty and very reason for their existence - the simple role of being in tune with reality and providing a truthful picture of reality. The have utterly failed the rakyat and the people whom the rakyat entrusted to take care of them.
If they have reported the real sentiments on the ground, would BN leaders have ignored it? Hmmm, on second thoughts, they might not even care.
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