Dennis Ignatius
~ Provoking discussion, dissent & debate on politics, diplomacy, human rights & civil society.
The failed promise of an inclusive society
09MondaySep 2024
[1] Malaysia’s minorities have been betrayed time and again by politicians promising a more inclusive society. Perhaps we have been too gullible, too trusting.
[2] First it was Tun Razak. He introduced the NEP with the promise that it would resolve all the divisive legacies of our colonial past and build a more united, more prosperous and yes, more inclusive nation. It was repeatedly stressed that “no group would be deprived”, that it would not lead to an erosion of minority rights and privileges. We were assured that there would be no robbing Peter to pay Paul, that the re-distribution of wealth would be affected within the context of an expanding economic cake.
[3] The NEP turned out to be the prelude to the first of many programs to disenfranchise and marginalize minority groups. In but a few years, banks, transport companies and rice mills – to name a few – were taken over. Scholarships for minorities dried up, recruitment into the civil service slowed drastically, promotions were held back, and the civil service and armed forces went on to become monoracial bastions.
[4] Then came Tun Mahathir Mohamad with his ‘Bangsa Malaysia’ vision and its promise of inclusivity. “We must be a nation at peace with itself, territorially and ethnically integrated, living in harmony and full and fair partnership, made up on one Bangsa Malaysia….”, he said. It turned out to be nothing more than jiggery-pokery.
[5] But so desperate were we for change that we excused his racist rants and overlooked the carnage he left behind after his insufferably long years in office and rallied behind him once more in 2018. As soon as he returned to power, he started scheming to exclude and marginalize minorities all over again.
[6] Now we have yet another prime minister promising inclusivity as he launches yet another variation of Bumiputera empowerment. “The idea is that the economic drive should be done with the participation of all people without marginalising any ethnicity, tribe or territory across the country,” he said when launching his PuTERA35 policy.[1] This agenda emphasises genuine cooperation across ethnic lines, with a promise that the non-Bumiputera community will not be deprived of their rights. Its inclusive design also seeks to ensure that all ethnic groups will benefit from the enhanced nation’s economic growth, one report gushed.[2]
[7] But what does ‘inclusivity’ really mean to a prime minister who seems determined to position himself as the new champion of Malay-Muslim nationalism? Disturbingly, his government is even contemplating measures – like forcing mostly non-Bumiputera plantation owners to hand over 20% of their land upon renewal of their leases[5] – that no previous government has adopted. How does such an insidious initiative square with all the talk of not depriving other ethnic groups of their rights?
[8] There seems to be a predictable pattern with these politicians – when they are rejected by their own community, they appeal to minorities for support with promises of inclusion; when they win, they go back to their Ketuanan Melayu agenda. When are we going to learn they can’t be trusted?
[9] No one begrudges the help given to Bumiputeras – far too many of them have been struggling for far too long – but how difficult can it be to help one community without depriving or marginalizing others?
[10] But let’s not kid ourselves: for so long as politics is premised upon ethno-religious nationalism, inclusivity can never be realized. Ethno-religious nationalism is a zero sum game that is premised upon exclusion not inclusion.
[11] It no longer really matters whether it is UMNO, PKR, PN or PAS because they are all working towards the same end; only the methods and personalities differ. It no longer matters whether you support MCA, Gerakan or DAP either because they all lack the courage of their convictions.
[Dennis Ignatius | Kuala Lumpur | 9th September 2024]
[1] PuTERA35 a major shift in advancing bumiputera development – PM Anwar |The Sun |19 Aug 2024
[2] All you need to know about: PuTERA35, the Anwar govt’s plan to uplift Bumiputera and close the economic gap by 2035 |Malay Mail |20 Aug 2024
[3] Anwar shoots down call to reform Malay-dominated civil service | Free Malaysia Today | 11 February 2023
[4] Social media reacts with anger over PM’s behaviour to girl who asked question on meritocracy | Malaysia Now |06 Aug 2023
[5] Zahid proposes setting up of Bumiputera Land Corporation to preserve land ownership |NST | 29 Feb 2024
[6] Sense of discrimination rises in Chinese, Indian youths – survey |Malaysiakini |06 Sept 2024
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