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Thursday, February 11, 2021

Racism condoned & promoted in Malaysian politics & policies

FMT:

Ex-AG’s disclosure of racial brainwashing is most troubling





What resembled a political earthquake occurred over last weekend when former attorney-general Tommy Thomas released his explosive book that revolved around his dealings with the top men in the government during his 20 months in office.

As expected, it did shock most Malaysians to read about the goings-on in the corridors of power, which we kind of suspected all along but which only came to light through his book, ‘My Story – Justice in the Wilderness’.

His revelations have been followed by some aftershocks. I think most Malaysians are a bit unsure on the legalities involved in his decision to write but it appears that he must have taken a calculated risk in choosing to divulge certain information. After all, he is not a novice in this field.

Of course such a high level of disclosure will have its share of denials, legal suits, police reports and political statements. But Malaysians who have been through institutionalised discrimination in the name of national interest can surely empathise with some of his observations.

But to completely ignore many of the truths or important instances of dysfunction that he had pointed out would be akin to sticking our heads in the sand. He has indeed raised many “triable” issues, borrowing a legal term.

To me, the underlying message in a good part of his story was that racism and religious bigotry had shown up in many ugly forms in the running of the government, and that these were strong elements that ultimately pushed him out of the office.

What I felt was true and something that even the worst of his critics cannot deny were a couple of his quotes that showed a deep sense of racism many non-Malays face in most facets of their lives. They are:

“Everything I did was painted in racial tones and hues. And they succeeded. The brainwashing achieved its objectives. Objectively speaking, attacks on non-Malay holders of two offices in a government otherwise dominated by Malays just did not make any sense. It was neither rational nor logical.”

He went on to say: “The prime minister and deputy prime minister were Malay. The majority of the members of the Pakatan Harapan Cabinet were Malay. Yet, the perceived insecurity. It was as if millions of people belonging to the majority race could not sleep soundly because a Chinese was finance minister, and an Indian, attorney-general.”

If a government officer at a level so high had found it hard to handle racist undertones, and, with Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the helm, failed to put the fanatics in their places, then what hope do the vulnerable Malaysians in the lower rungs of society have?

We have a situation where the minority is yearning to be regarded as Malaysians of equal standing like the rest, while the majority is saying we are supreme and you do not question this privilege.

Once you are told to continue working hard, pay your taxes and accept your place in Malaysian society as a second-class citizen without question, then I guess you end up in a fool’s paradise.

Interestingly, some groups of Indians seem to be doing just that by becoming associate members of Islamist PAS, without full rights compared to their Muslim counterparts. But then again it is their democratic right.

We are facing a new reality from generations of racist attitudes which are now woven into our systems and institutions like poisonous threads, hurting most of us, including many Malays.

Because of the unwritten policies and political push for racial and religious supremacy, unfair racial stereotypes have taken root in the hearts of many Malaysians.




Maybe it may not be obvious to some but these cause us to react to people differently whether we are on the streets, in lifts, at the mall or in encounters between the police and citizens.

Racism, in my view, is the cumulative result of all those policies, thoughts and acts. They add up to a pattern in which people of certain colour and background are routinely and systematically treated differently from other people.


Obviously our politics do not help to bridge these differences, if anything they appear to be making things worse, as attested to by Thomas.

Maybe we should take his book as an apocalyptic revelation, as he has been there and seen it all, and he is not running for office.

I think the people who are shaping our lives, the politicians, ought to really listen. Just listen to how our institutions work for or against our friends, who are Malaysians too, in their daily lives.


16 comments:

  1. TOMMY'S QUOTE
    We are facing a new reality from generations of racist attitudes which are now woven into our systems and institutions like poisonous threads, hurting most of us, including many Malays.

    Because of the unwritten policies and political push for racial and religious supremacy, unfair racial stereotypes have taken root in the hearts of many Malaysians....

    ...Racism, in my view, is the cumulative result of all those policies, thoughts and acts. They add up to a pattern in which people of certain colour and background are routinely and systematically treated differently from other people.
    UNQUOTE

    Well said Tommy, racism is now interwoven into our DNA and this is the result of GENERATIONS of CUMULATIVE policies of UMNO, because all past PMs before 2018 (and some say after too...ha ha ha), have been from that party.

    And UMNO could not have done this for 60 years without the complicit help of the two parties trusted to protect the interest of the minorities, namely MCA and MIC.

    So may I present the Roll of (Dis)-Honour, past and current presidents since 80s, the collaborators, the Boh Lam Phar leaders of Racist parties:

    MCA: Lee San Choon, Neo Yee Pan, Tan Koon Swan, Ling Liong Sik, Ong Ka Ting, Ong Tee Keat, Chua Soi Lek, Liow Tiong Lai, Wee KHAT Siong

    MIC: Samy Vellu, G Palanivel, S Subramaniam, Vigneswaran

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    1. all well and good (with exception of Tan Koon Swan who was disliked by Mahathir because of his arrogance - Tan was no balls carrier)

      But don't forget to include Lim KHAT Sial and son, both of whom are notorious for carrying Atuk's balls, wakakaka - they did the full 9 yards in less than 2 years compared to MCA's 60, wakakaka again

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    2. I fault DAP for not being able to find an alternative governance model away from Race in its 2 years, but it WAS 2 years, a very short time to attempt a reset of 61 years of Racist policies.

      The far , far more Egregious wrong was BN and MCA's 61 years 1957-2018 of creating, perpetuating and colluding (in MCA's case) the Racist construct for Malaysia.

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  2. Did one need Tommy's book to realise everything comes with racist and religious undertones?

    This fact has been staring at us in the face since the longest time.

    Only in Malaysia does the majority race get protection and blatant favouritism. And despite all the power and control being in the hands of the malay race, these malays still quake in their shoes when a non malay or two occupy a "significant" office as though the end of the world is coming to the malay race.

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  3. Toonsie had proudly declared Malaysia to be an Islamic country in late 2001. But what did MCA and MIC do?

    NOTHING.....instead of banging table and quitting BN they continued to smoke, suck, and bodek UMNO and Toonsie (and future PMs). Asal-kan MCA dan MIC ada jawatan Menteri Jaga Kereta, Menteri Buruh.....cukuplah, jangan bagi orang lain.

    This cumulative Boh Lam Phar leadership by MCA and MIC is the cause of the situation we are in today, where a non-Malay cannot be tolerated as FM, AG, CJ....or DPM.....still asking politely.....ha ha ha....

    QUOTE
    Dr M maintains M’sia is an Islamic nation
    The Editor
    TheEdge

    October 24, 2012

    KUALA LUMPUR: As far as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is concerned, Malaysia is an Islamic country even if it is not clearly outlined in the federal constitution. Mahathir said yesterday the Muslim world recognises Malaysia as an Islamic country and this is sufficient to show that Malaysia is an Islamic country.

    “It is not stated in the constitution whether we are a secular or an Islamic state. By definition, we are a Muslim country as the whole Muslim world recognises us as a Muslim country.

    “So we don’t care what people say in order to make it a political issue,” he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Inter-civilisational Dialogue Towards Peace, Harmonious Co-Existence and Sustainability symposium at Universiti Malaya.

    Ever since Mahathir declared that Malaysia an Islamic state in late 2001, there has been confusion as to whether the country is secular or Islamic
    UNQUOTE

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    Replies
    1. And when Mahatyhir spoke the following at his Malay Dignity Congress, did Lim KHAT Sial, Lim GE marshal the DAP MPs to bang tables and leave PH govt?

      From Malaysiakini 7 Oct 2019:

      Downright insulting! DAP MP censures Dr M over 'orang asing' remark

      Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks on how the Malays were forced to accept orang asing (foreigners) during British rule in exchange for independence is downright insulting and unbecoming of a prime minister who represents all Malaysians, said DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh.

      Ramkarpal was referring to the prime minister's speech at yesterday's Malay Dignity Congress, where Mahathir said: “.. Orang asing berasa selesa dengan negara kita dan mereka ingin tinggal di sini. Nak tak nak pun, kita terpaksa terima, kalau tidak kita tidak akan mencapai kemerdekaan (The foreigners felt comfortable in this country and wanted to stay. Like it or not, we were forced to accept or we would not have achieved independence).”

      Describing the statement as uncalled for, Ramkarpal said Mahathir should have known better.

      “The PM should know that such remarks are highly sensitive and threaten racial harmony in the country and can lead to a divided nation along racial lines, which must be avoided at all costs,” he added.

      The Bukit Gelugor MP also noted how Mahathir claimed he did not hear the organiser of the congress Zainal Kling's statement that “Malaysia belonged to the Malays” when opening the congress.

      He said the prime minister should have corrected the academician and if it is true that he did not hear the remark, then he should set the record straight now.

      Ramkarpal reminded Mahathir that he won the last general election largely because of the support of non-Malays.

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    2. KHAT and his Chye-Chye bor laam phar

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    3. Wee KHAT Siong can leave PN now. Why KT silent on that?

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    4. Wee KHAT Siong can leave PN now. Why KT silent on that?

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    5. Obviously you don't know Sun Tzu Art of War. When you are in the same team but different camps, the General (LKS & son) sent the foot soldiers (your salt-of-the-earth (who is only a warlord to me)) to do the peeving while they remain silent. No stupid generals will come out full blasting like you assumed should be done lah ........ wakakakaka

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  4. A rebuttal to AI in defense of TT. The following is credited to :

    Owen Jones
    Anwar Ibrahim - don’t talk cock. I am a stout defender of you but I am certainly not averse to giving you a piece of my mind if it is needed.

    First and foremost Anwar Ibrahim - why were special privileges for Malays written into the Federal Constitution? It was simply because the Reid Commission which drafted it believed that the Malays were backward and needed particular attention for them to catch up with the rest. The British had not seen the Malays do hard work as they had seen the Indians and Chinese do. This was also evident at the professional level. What the British probably noticed but were too polite to say was that Malays tended to go for easy jobs. The fact that the British had to bring in others to do the work of developing the land or extract minerals was because the Malays did not want to do them.

    This attitude among the Malays was what actually riled Mahathir into challenging Tunku Abdul Rahman. Tunku was quite happy to be a laid back administrator while others did the hard work.

    The fact is Anwar Ibrahim there is racial and religious discrimination even in the most advanced societies. Why do you think the ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘say no to racism’ campaigns are happening? It is because of racial discrimination. But what is worse is that in Malaysia - there is not only racial and religious discrimination but they are official policies. If a country has laws that promote racial discrimination that nation is labelled as one that has an APARTHEID policy. The truth is that the Reid Commission had included a moratorium on the ‘special privileges’ - they were to end in 1990. But the CC with a two-third majority in Parliament amended the Constitution to read as “for as long as deemed necessary” so that he and his cronies could continue the rape and plunder of the nation indefinitely. Please do not pretend that you do not know this Anwar Ibrahim.

    Yes there is racial discrimination by other communities. But this is at the individual level. It is not policy. But why is it happening? Those who studied in the English medium schools never saw their fellow students as anything else. But all this changed when the conniving chameleon Mahathir became PM. English went out and in came a racist brand of education clearly intended to segregate the people. What Mahathir started in the 1970s is what we see today and what most of us including Tommy Thomas have seen. It was so easy for TT to make a comparison because he worked with the crème de la crème in his legal profession and law firm. When he entered the civil service the disparity in standards shocked the life out of him.
    1/2

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  5. 2/2

    This is what the CC’s racist policies have brought about. Malays in high office and high positions who are there simply because they are Malay. When people are given positions by virtue of ‘special privilege’ and not out of merit for their knowledge, experience and intelligence then we know the nation is in trouble. Don’t forget Anwar Ibrahim that you were tried and jailed by an incompetent judiciary that was just acting on the instructions of its political masters. And pray tell me, Anwar Ibrahim, how many Malay lawyers defended you?

    Yes the bloated civil service is full of unqualified people who are otherwise unemployable outside. The mediocre education with low marks earning high grades has produced Malays holding certs that are not worth the paper they are printed on. Pray tell me Anwar Ibrahim, how many non-Malays are employed in the civil service? How many non-Malays are holding senior positions in the civil service? How many non-Malays are holding senior positions in GLCs? Why are the GLCs all such financial disasters? Why is it that only Malays can lead GLCs and govt depts? How could you expect TT not to talk about the Malays only when there is practically nobody else in the civil service? Isn’t the absence of non-Malays itself damning evidence of the prevailing racial discrimination in this country?

    TT has stated it as it is. The civil service and the GLCs are prime examples of the blind leading the blind or where mediocrity is the order of the day.

    Don’t try to defend the indefensible Anwar Ibrahim. The fact is that truth is often the most bitter pill. TT is a brave man to stand up for it. So, Anwar Ibrahim please do not lose the respect of non-Malays and right thinking Malays by attempting a puerile coverup of the truth just to score some political brownie points.

    Anwar Ibrahim - today you have sown the seed of doubt as to your leadership qualities. Perhaps the MC is right after all - that you have no idea at all about what to do next - apart from theatrics that appeal to the gallery. I am truly disappointed.

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    1. Very well put ! But Anwar Ibrahim had sown doubts to his leadership qualities quite a while back, not "today". It is because we have a dearth of Malay leadership in this country ( since the NONs are not allowed to lead ), that we have to scrap the bottom of the barrel to endorse Anwar Ibrahim...what choice do we have ? Kalian semua orang NONs...put in place your Plan B, the iceberg getting closer, don't say you're not warned.

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  6. it would take perhaps another few generation, just like we can really build our own car in 2121, n learn that it is wrong to curi in 2221. sabar, each civilization progress at it own pace, for eg ccp zombie might only can vote in 2321.

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    1. That's how a dickheaded 犬养mfer counting its timelinr under that fart filled well for forecasting the demises of its favourite bunching beg!

      Too bad… its time keeping is exactly a copy of its f*cked reading of 'history' of inconsequential - terbalik with selective pick&choose.

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    2. Lagi lagi Batty with his obsession about his right to vote...see what happened to his vote in 2018 ? wa ka ka ka

      Stalin said about voting: "The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do."

      The real zombie is the Batty. Pordah

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