A princely speech and a social activist's commentary

Today I reprise TWO speeches worth your little tea-timerumination. Chew the foodand work thy brain -- that's called multi-tasking! -- Desi:)

From the Sun (print edition for which YL paid 30sen,
unlike some kedekuts I no who lined up b4 sunsrise to grab
multiple copies of frreebies at 7ELEVEN, re-sell at 15sen
at SEVEN11? -- Joking-lah, yourlegs aren't that long like my nama!
page 2:November 20, 2008:

Raja Nazrin warns against
modern-day tribalism

PETALING JAYA: Mankind is failing badly at creating a sense of community and is instead allowing race, culture and religion to dominate discourse, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said today.


"When we think of social fragmentation as good rather than bad, something is awfully wrong. Our moral gyroscopes have gone completely awry. If we continue on the present path, great dangers lie ahead," he said in his speech at the Diversity Matters Forum on Diasporas in the Commonwealth held at Monash University, Sunway Campus here.

Raja Nazrin cautioned against falling into a "new and destructive form of modern day tribalism".
"Cultures can co-operate as much as clash. We need to reclaim religion from those who would distort its truths. We must reject radicalism and extremism of all types. If there is someone in my society who is hungry, or unemployed or sick and cannot afford treatment, then it diminishes me even if he is of a different race or religion," he said.

Raja Nazrin said multicultural societies are fast becoming the rule rather than the exception.
"Contrary to the rhetoric, however, it is not becoming a source of strength. Mankind is failing - and failing badly – at creating a sense of community. Instead race, culture and religion have become the dominant discourse."

Raja Nazrin said diversity is not only something to be cherished but is essential.

"I know this as an educationist for the store of knowledge does not increase until and unless there are differences in thinking. It is when there is stultifying uniformity that stagnation occurs.

"I know this as a Muslim for Islam recognises other religions. Islam itself is built on a history of myriad traditions.

"I know this as a Malaysian for what has built this country and made it strong are the contributions of its different communities. Malaysians of different races and religions have come together to put their shoulders to the collective plough despite their differences, something that many countries have not been so fortunate enough to share."

He said the idea behind multiculturalism is that countries with people of different cultural backgrounds should allow them to live a free life without being forced to do things they don't want to do.

"What characterises democratic life is that it is the person who decides whether he or she wants to adjust more and be absorbed or remain aloof. At the same time, the need to forge a community of people with shared values and interests remains paramount," he said.

Link to Other Stories:
***Full text of speech by Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah -- Please surf to sun2surf.com ~~ Desi

*****************************

From cpiasia.net where I get to put some kaya to top up two layers of Skippy
on my bread&butter to simulate the ORI from YutKee's opposite Wilayah Complex;
located aptly along Jalan Kamunting!:(


Written by CPI
Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:09

Press Statement on Presentation by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee at 5th “Diversity Matters” : A Commonwealth Forum, 19 November 2008

In his plenary presentation to the Commonwealth 5th “Diversity Matters” conference currently ongoing at the Malaysian branch of Monash University, CPI Director Dr. Lim Teck Ghee spoke on what happens when diaspora communities such as Malaysian Indians are excluded or marginalized in the nation’s development. Focusing on the HINDRAF movement as a case study, Dr. Lim attributed the growth of the Malaysian Indian under class to two major factors – government neglect and the massive influx of foreign labour which has provided competition to the Indian working class, and in many instances displaced Indian labour or reduced their wage returns.

He called on the Government to acknowledge the legitimacy of the concerns expressed by the HINDRAF movement and to address these concerns fairly and transparently, notwithstanding the extremist language used by some of the movement’s leaders in drawing attention to the plight of the Indian under class.

According to Dr. Lim, the main stumbling block to integration of diaspora communities in Malaysia stemmed from a narrow nation building paradigm and from state policies that sought to differentiate settled “immigrant” from longer settled “Bumiputra” communities. He pointed out that developed and resilient nations are marked by

• high social cohesion and low conflict
• inclusion of all social groups
• access and equality of opportunity for all citizens
• rule of law and vibrant democratic institutions
• a neutral and race-blind bureaucracy
• open societies

He called on all stakeholders in Malaysia, especially the Government, to learn from the lessons of the past but at the same time to not be imprisoned by past paradigms. Noting that full social rights should not be delayed or reduced because of economic disparities that were far more complex than the conventional ethnic typologies used by Government to address them, he argued that there was a need to match rhetoric with action in practicing tolerance and fairness. All communities should engage in positive tolerance and practice and internalize fairness as a prerequisite for the healthy growth of our modern pluralistic society.

Kuala Lumpur, 19 November 2008