Stereotyping the Malaysian Public - Part 2

Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob wrote in ASIA SENTINEL..

Ethnic Chinese, who make up 23.7 percent of the population according to the CIA World Factbook, have been disenchanted by rising Malay bellicosity and widespread reports of corruption.

This is the sort of half-truths, sometimes even 'lies' that's spread in the international media about the Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia. By saying 'Malay bellicosity' the writer inadvertently lumps the entire race as 'fight-lovers'. In one sentence the Malays are portrayed as the hooligans in this so-called peace loving country. The Chinese disenchantment with widespread report of corruption is almost a misnomer. Questions should be asked as to who is corrupting whom? Chinese businessmen are well known for their tenacity in making profits and they have little regard for legalities and procedures, if they can get away with it.

The rich have always looked down on the poor. The haves always think they can buy themselves in and out of everything. In Malaysia, the public sector are almost entirely staff by the Malays while the business sectors are held by the Chinese. This structure in the society ensues an almost unavoidable blossoming of corrupt practices by people in hurry or people simply wanting to circumvent the system or by people mis-using their position and power.

That is why we find stories of illegal factories exporting millions ringgit worth of products to overseas market and illegal gambling and nite clubs opened just next door to a police station etc. It has been so almost since the day Malaya got her Independence. It has always been 'I scratch your back and you scratch mine' relationship between the business communities and the public sector - between the Malays and the Chinese. The trouble lies not with the people, the trouble has always been with the government! Not very much have been done to inculcate better or higher values in the society. There have been a lot of talk but no real 'walk'.

That was why when the present PM DS Abdullah won the last General election, he got a thumping majority. The people wanted a change in the government way of doing things. The Chinese have gotten tired of vying one another trying to 'buy' favors and the Malays were fed-up of being 'beggar' a community because a few bad hats were selling their souls and the entire race. Everyone had their hopes high. That was 3 years ago, coming to 4 now - and alls not well but for a few lucky ones.

Somewhere between Tun Razak and Tun Mahathir, there was a working formula that had all the races in harmony and looking towards a workable future. And then somebody got really clever and forsake everyone but himself and his 'clan'. Nation building was the least of their concerns. Getting rich by whatever means was the order for the century. Vision 2020 better get its eyes checked - the future isn't looking so good now!

The fight for Malaysia is no longer a fight for all the boring stuff such as freedom, democracy, unity and race relations. It is now a fight for richness by the ruling elite - Malay, Chinese or Indians! The pawns are the little people who only wants a chance to live an ordinary life. These citizens are really not interested in big conglomerate mergers or billion dollars projects. They just want a little corner of the country where they can earn enough so that they and their children can survive.

Malaysia is the 34th largest economy in the world. As a country it is relatively rich and yet, the way it is governed is as if it is some Banana Republic and the people should understand that the government can't afford to help them. On the contrary, it is the people that are expected to help the government! Its crazy!