Build on what the people have created

Friday May 16, 2008
Build on what the people have created


I REFER to “Show the critics that Umno is not arrogant, says Pak Lah” (The Star, May 12).

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call to Umno members at the 62nd anniversary of Umno to counter the notion that they are arrogant and corrupt is apt and timely.

Instead of heeding his call and trying to win back the hearts of the people, Umno is trying to use all forms of tactics, including racial, to break up the Opposition that is promoting multi-racialism. Its attempts to resurrect sensitive issues of the past are very disturbing and go against the aspirations of the rakyat themselves.

Due to some losses in the recent polls, Umno claims that the special rights of the Malays are being threatened. This is absurd, as we all know there is no way anyone can take them away as these rights and the special privileges are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and accepted by all races. It would be unfair for Umno to harp on these imaginary external threats for political mileage.

The accusation against DAP chairman Karpal Singh appears to be an attempt to imply that non-Malays are disrespectful and not loyal to the Malay Rulers. This is not only utterly false but unfair and malicious.

The Institution of the Monarchy has become part of the Malaysian culture, for Malays and non-Malays alike. Loyalty to the Rulers is a tenet of the Rukun Negara that is held dearly by all. It is a known fact that the non-Malays have also turned to the Rulers for help, pardon and protection of their rights from time to time.

It is unfair for Umno to question the loyalty of non-Malay Malaysians after 50 years of working together in building the nation, not as Malays, Chinese or Indians, but as Malaysians. The people have demonstrated this unprecedented unity by rising above their racial divide to vote for a multi-racial system of governance.

It is the duty of the political parties to ensure that these aspirations of the people are achieved. Politicians must build on, not destroy, what the people have created all these years together.

It is ironical that when we are outside the country, we are identified as Malaysians but within our own country we are constantly being reminded of our ethnic origins. It is time for us to change the mindset to accept each other as Malaysians and work to create leaders who can represent the interests of all races.

The only way to eradicate this race-based politics is to open up ethnic-based parties to all races to become truly multi-racial where everyone’s rights are guaranteed as provided for by the Constitution. There should not be a need for any particular community to “fight” for its fundamental rights that are already guaranteed by the Constitution.

Umno should not regard fellow non-Malay Malaysians as a threat to their well-being. It should not succumb to some imaginary external threat that is non-existent. It should instead get its acts together, regain its power and influence to get back the support of the people of all races. Umno may have its duty towards the Malays but being the dominant party in the ruling coalition, it also has the responsibility to ensure the minorities are treated fairly as rightful citizens.

Umno might have been formed by a strong spirit of Malay nationalism that prevailed at the time of independence but the time has come for it to adopt and radiate a true Malaysian nationalism that incorporates all the races of the peninsula and east Malaysia. The MCA, MIC, Gerakan and others have all called for multi-racialism. Umno should take heed and lead the Barisan to embrace a multi-racial approach to champion the rights of all regardless of race or creed.

DR CHRIS ANTHONY,

Butterworth.