On The 2008 Election of Malays

Reading on what's happening around Malaysia, particularly what developed in the opposition alliance newly acquired 4 states: Penang, Kedah, Perak, and Selangor; I can't help but feel that we still have a long way to go and the changes that I'm hoping for is not going to come easy.

Of the 4 states; Penang, Perak, and Selangor are showing signs of cracks in the newly formed allied government. In Penang, DAP wants to do away with NEP but PAS wanted to keep NEP. In Perak, there are tussle over the Chief Minister Post, DAP CEC is even calling its Perak members to boycott the new CM swearing in ceremony. In Selangor, now appears that there could be a still born non-malay deputy chief minister as the Selangor Sultan is expressing doubt over such arrangment despite the fact that a Malay is made the Chief Minister. All of these events unfolding is a tell-tale sign that Malaysians are still very much racist to the core.

Being and not being a Malays is such a big issue in Malaysia. In this age and day, the general feelings amongst most of the Malays is that if you are not a malay in Malaysia, you are not entitled to the same standing as a Malay in Malaysia. After all, they would say, this is MALAY-sia. So, if you are not a malay, you are not entitled to be a Chief Minister in 9 out of 13 states of Malaysia. And this is stated in the constitution of those 9 states including the opposition held Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, and Selangor states.

The discriminatory constitution causes the most problem now in Perak, as currently amongst the newly formed uneasy alliance of DAP/PKR/PAS, DAP hold the most seat at 18, PKR 7 and PAS 6. The Regent of Perak have given the post of the Chief Minister to PAS, the least represented party in the new government. His intention might have been good but his selection has completely negated the true spirit of Westminster Democracy. So, it's understandable that DAP and many of their supporters are unhappy about it. Most voters voted for a change, but changes are not forthcoming, as the constitution, the system and the mindset of the majority Malays are so deep rooted in racism that I'm afraid that the type of democracy DAP and PKR are fighting for will not become a reality in at least another 10 years.

In Penang, though there are no issue of a racially discriminatory state constitution, cracks in the new government is also showing when the DAP Chief wanted to adopt a system without NEP but PAS is calling for a revamped NEP. Though PAS is only holding one state seat and DAP could form a Penang State Government with PKR, they have to show good will to PAS as they fought a united front in the election. Personally, I don't think doing away with NEP in a sweeping move is wise. NEP to the Malays is like a drug to the drug addicts: If it's withdrawn suddenly, the withdrawal symptoms would kill the addicts. The Chief Minister should instead work out steps in gradually moving away from NEP in a 4 years plan. Giving the Malays amble time to adapt and grow.

The Malay issue has the worst effect in Selangor. Not only that non-Malay can not be a Chief Minister, electing a non-Malay as the deputy Chief Minister has caused some ire amongst the Malays including the Selangor Sultan. In Saying that the Chief Minister position is to aid the Chief Minister, and there would be problem if the DCM is not a Malay as he/she would not be able to officiate the opening of Mosque, which is one of the responsibility of the DCM is a statement that is racist to the core. If the function of DCM is only to officiate the opening of Mosque then, it'd better be reserved for a Malay-Muslim then, from the old Malaysian paradigm, a Muslim in Malaysia is a Malay after all. Also, a DCM that's only good for officiating Mosque opening is not a DCM wanted by non-Malay muslim. The statement is using a part of a function of a DCM to justify racial discrimination against an ethnic minority from holding the post. Now if that's not racist to the core, I don't know what is.