Wednesday 14 November 2012

Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku
(The Land Where My Bloods Spills)
Part 1: Article 153


Malaysia is the name of my country. We are a peaceful and unified country. This land was the territory of a race of my ancestors called the 'Malay'. Thus all names that has been associated with this country, has the word 'Malay' in it. We are a tropical country located along the equator line. The foreigners of the west loves to come here. Not just because of our weather, but also because that this country of Malaysia, is rich in history, our political stability is the best in South East Asia, and our currency is cheap. How ever the main reason I think is because of the peacefulness of our country.

How ever as a Malaysian, I believe their is something that is not right with this country. Corruptions are high, the economy is not doing so good, but we are led to believe that it is on the up and up. The racial harmony, no matter how well we get along according to the government, there is still a big barrier in between the races. Public service is one of the worst I've seen in any country, yet we are paying a bomb on taxes. The media are one-sided, and we have a Prime Minister's wife who think she's the empress. One minute, we see and empty space the next, blocks and blocks of building are being built. The cost of living has increased, yet the average salary has been the same for the last 15 years. Crime has hit the charts up high. I remember when you could bet that nothing bad could happen, but now before you walk to your car, please look over both shoulders so that no one is following you. Now, I'm no expert but even I can smell the foul air that has been developing over here in Malaysia.

We are living in an age of reform, and it is imperative for us to remove that which destroys our nation. For the main problem is the corruption that looms large in our society. I admit corruption is a problem worldwide, but it's visibility level in the nation is at a very bad rate, then something most be done. However I have not yet come across a solution to this matter (other the gather all and shoot them).

There are two things however I would like to impress on. In order for this country and her people to progress, 2 main reform must take place. One is that the dismantlement of the Malay 'Special Position' as on the constitution (article 153), also demolish the King and Sultans of Malaysia.

Malay 'Special Position' Article 153 of the Constitution

When the British administration left the Malay Federation in 1957, they left the country in the ethnic diversity that they had created which divided the three main race of Malaysia (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) by the way of their purpose for their administration. As a result, the Malays who were given a mediocre status by the British, was at a disadvantage at that time. Through the 'Reid Commission' the article which will be known as article 153 was drafted to preserve the rights of the Malays, indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak, and the Aborigine people of Malaysia. Although it was drafted in 1957, only in the 1980s that the more affirmative action was taken to put this article in effect, as a result of the 1970 economic reform.

This as a result got many Malays up on their feet so that they too could prosper in their own country. It is not just that, all Malay companies and corporation was given an advantage, by this article 153 to ensure that success is available. This article act as a crutch for the Malays who legs were cut off, by whom? The British, well not really but I'll get to that some other time.

Now it is the year 2012, and the 'special position' article 153, is still in effect. They always would say that 'too much of something good is bad.' Well that is right. The Malays has become dependent on this article. They have become lazy and ignorant to the fact that this article is what is holding them back rather then pushing them forward. In all views of the Malay race has become complacent in our struggle in our place in this world. I would also like to point out (and I would probably get arrested if they read my blog, because to question the article 153, is to commit national disturbance), that even with this extra advantage, with this boost or leg up by the constitution, the Malays are still behind. That is just how bad this 'special position' is. "We Malays are minorities to the Chinese in our own country," is my argument in this matter.

Also because of their comfort that has be indulge by this article 153, the Malays are blind to the fact that the Chinese and Indians who are Malaysian, are denied certain right. They suffered because of our laziness. This is wrong, even in Islam this is wrong. Even the Prophet Muhammad SAW did not deny the equality of the non-Muslims in Madina when he ruled there, and who are we to deny the rights of our brothers and sisters of Malaysia. This would be the main factor that we must abandon this article 153.

The people who are protected by the article 153 are 'Bumiputera' which mean 'Children of the land'. If we follow by the literal meaning of 'Bumiputera', by that definition, the Chinese and Indians too should by right enjoy this privilege. Sure in 1957 not all Indians and Chinese are born here, but now that is not relevant, for all of my Malaysian friends, be they Malay, Chinese or Indians are born here, and their parents were born here, and their grandparents. Therefore they are 'Bumiputera'. As for national Icon, people like Dato Lee Chong Wei, Dato Nicol Ann Davis, Dato Michelle Yeoh and Dato K. Rajagopal, who we all celebrate at a Malaysians are not given rights as a 'Bumiputera', yet they rose to the occasion to carry our nation flags and name among the world's greatest. Yet we isolate them with our article 153.

The Malays need to take a 'leap of faith', and throw away our 'special position' not just because it would be fair to the other races, but also it is the actual reason that holds us back from our achievements. It dampens our senses and made us slower, weaker and above all lazier and more complacent.




      

No comments:

Post a Comment