I returned from outstation duty a little tired, and only caught up with the news headlines of July 21, 2005 quite late in the evening – it makes me more than a little distressed. I thought many of mGf and I have wept enough.
The New Straits Times frontpage headline blared at me as I ate my delayed dinner with some GoOD friends.
REVIVE THE NEP
With the picture of a laughing Education Minister Datuk HISHAMUDDIN HUSSEIN, privileged son of a former Prime Minister, a “Mr Clean” himself Hussein Onn who distinguished himself for NOT playing “race politics” as wont to be the habit of many UMNO leader-wannabes and has-beens. I felt a sense of “great letdown” reading Hisham’s speech made the day before in his capacity of UMNO Youth President at the UMNO Youth Assembly at the PWTC.
I quote from the NST highlight:
“The New Economic Policy should be reapplied as aprt of the national development policy so that the Malays will be empowered and not sidelined from now till the year 2020.
The ‘Growth by Distribution’ stratetgy, as outlined by the NEP, should be pursued to ensure 30 per cent Bumiputera share of corporate stock ownership is achieved.
We have only 15 years to achieve equity in the economy. This is a short time. So all parties have to focus on teir efforts on implementing seven core thrusts for it to work.”
(end of highlight quote on page 1)
I say I am distressed because after 47 years of Independence we have an Education Minister going against the core problems impeding the progress of the nation, especially the dominant Malay community -- as identified by the former Prime Minisrer regarding Bumiputeras depending on crutches, among other dependencies, echoed by the present PM Pak Lah lamenting about the Rent-seekers, and the Rakyat suffering from the Subsidy-dependent Mentality.
I hope our leaders would begin to approach Malaysian problems from a Malaysian perspective. I know Hisham is speaking as UMNO Youth chief, but as national leaders of the country, Hisham and colleagues must discard the politics of the 1970s and 80s and even 90s. Let the NEP be where it should lie, in the dustbin of history.
It has served its function. The 19 per cent share Hisham quoted was the same figure some ten years ago; I don’t believe that the Bumiputeras had not progressed a single notch in the period since then. Unless, the Bumiputera corporate sector has stood still? Sold off ALL the shares allocated to them under the special allocation? Rented out all their Approved Permits and other Licences? I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
If Malaysia is to break out of a BLINKERED VISION NATION to face the GLOBALISED WORLD, which makes every country an international village, the country we all call Malaysia must start to adopt multi-racial policies.The policies are in the hands of the leaders, especially the YOUTH LEADERS LIKE HISHASM to whom the younger generation looks for leadership be example. These leaders should promote progressive policies should not be race-based, they should be NEEDS-BASED. They should discard old policies – not even revive – that served to divide the citizenry into ethnic groups.
Malaysia must learn to GROW UP. The greatest danger to this beloved nation is to stand still while our neighbours in Southeast Asia, Europe, the Americas are moving forward. They think Globalisation. They think B. They think Excellence. They think Merit&Quality. Do Malaysians Think Otherwise?
ALL communities, whether Malay, Indian, Chinese, Kadazan, Iban, or Orang Asli, must be helped, with the greatest ASSISTANCE rendered to those most in NEED. We need to build a more equitable society by narrowing the gap between the haves and Have-nots, NOT WIDEN IT. That means policies need to be directed to HELPING THOSE MOST HANDICAPPED to compete, regardless of RACE, RELIGION and GENDER.
LET THE RACE CARD TO BE BURIED ALONG WITH DIVISIVE POLICIES OF RACE POLITICS. TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR OUR MALYSIA.
Desiderata has said enough, except with a parting word to the likes of Hisham: Think Global, Not Local; Think Needs,NoT Race. DEFINITELY, NOT RACE!
4 comments:
Hello desiderata
I agree with you. As part of the older generation who are mostly too timid to voice their opinion, we have seen Malaysia achieve some progress but at such great cost.
I have been inspired by the likes of Screenshots, MalaysiaToday and your own blog and therefore I have started my own site at
malaysiawatch.blogspot.com
Please visit when you can.
Desi:
I have wept until there are no more tears. Nothing has changed and nothing will....for the next 10 years at least, what with the mentality and mindset of the next generation of politikus (read Najib, Hisham, KJ and the likes). Remember TM wept in one of his presidential address some years back? There was much hue and cry after that but things life went back to normal after the assembly. The same will happen for the AP issue and this AGM. Que Sera Sera, whatever will, be will be. What I can say is save your tears and go and enjoy your teh tarik. Its not worth the tears.
Dear h jangus:
First, A BIG WELCOME, plus a cyber Teh Tarik, to thee in joining the Club.
We have met, maybe exchanged hellos, via JeffOoi's and other fellow bloggers' buses.
I'll definitely visit your cyberhome, and we'll raise a glass or 2 to a "potentially" great country -- if only we all pull our weight, eh?
Syabas again, for making the time and effort -- I'm sure you'll ENJOY this journey. I had for the past four months; hope to continue as long as we have Voices like yours and mine out there wanting to stand up and be counted. YES!
ONE GRAND SALUTE at the entrance of the cyber club!
Dear SH:
You seem more "pessimistic" than usual; I don't blame thee for all the clowning, TEARS ... but for whom the well tolls? ...
But doin't overly despair; we must never give up without a good fight -- A GALLANT FIGHT!
I know I have fely like what you're feeling now, just felt like throwing in the towel. It sems all so futile, isn't it.
But we all pause, ponder, and then know we can remain spectators in OUR OWN COUNTRY. Wa have an equal right to all our neighbours to thie "potentialy" great country called Malayisa, despite all the past and present leaders' failing us in so many areas.
But where there's hope, there is a light. Let's make the light shine bright, TOGETHER ...Remember, slowly but surely, the decibels of our VOICES when joined in CHORUS, will one day make an impact, as surely as the Malaysian sun rises -- SO JOIN DESIDERATA to
Welcome hj angus, and ms mitochondria and more rcent CONVERSATIONISTS here, to the club; and our tasks ahead will not only be lighter, merrier too.
Oops:
Making haste, less speed --pls note ...We can NOT remain spectators ... One not can mean a lot!
Don't add a "o" to that you're writing out to me, OK! Hey, we can still afford to joke a little, it's not so bad, your Ringgit can now buy you maybe 5.0 per cent more of A&W Root Beer! Or one more bite of Bi(i)g Mac!
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