by Richard Teo
South Africa would still continue to practise Apartheid if the international community had taken heed of DPM advice that outside parties should “not meddle in the affairs and domestic policies of the country”.Yet it was pressure from the international community which viewed apartheid with such revulsion that it eventually led to the downfall and dismantling of South Africa’s racist policies.
Yet in the same breath it was business as usual for our DPM and the P.M himself to offer unsolicited advice as to how southern Thailand should be governed in order to quell the daily violence. Not only were advice given unsparingly but it was open govt policy to provide sanctuary for Muslim militants who seem to have unhindered access to Malaysian borders.
Our leaders are always in a denial mode whenever there are legitimate criticisms levied at our govt or our policies while at the same time feeling they have a divine right to pinpoint the inadequacies of other less unfortunate countries.
Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein should learn to control his temperament and avoid making foolish statements that foreigners should not interfere in govt business without first knowing its history.
In this globalised, flat world we are living now no country can live in isolation and this borderless world will continue to invite criticisms if policies and governance are not in accordance with norms.
Instead of pretending that the criticisms are without merit, our leaders should focus on examining the virtues and vices of the N.E.P policy in its present form.I f need be, there should be appropriate adjustments and revamp so that the international community will not view it as a discriminatory policy expressly for serving the purpose of only one race.
Dr.Thierry Rommel’s criticism of the N.E.P as head of the European Union delegation represent a unique departure of standard protocol but like the apartheid in South Africa it will not be the last until the vestige of its policy is finally dismantled.
#1 by Woody on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 7:07 am
Our ministers are still living under the coconut shell.
#2 by robert wong on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 7:22 am
Kit, I couldn’t agree more with you that all human being including all our so-called well “endowed” and well “devined” leaders that constructive criticisms are part of our life.
Woody has put it very nicely, that if our ministers are stilll living under the coconut shell, they can never see their mistakes and inadequates.
All our perspectives change when we view ourselves from a different angle.
Our BN leaders can’t grasp the ideas. Malaysians are governed by a flock of frogs !!!
#3 by mendela on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 7:31 am
We must tell the whole world that there is still an apartheid practicing country around — Malaysia!
Without external supports, Malaysians (like South Africa many years ago) alone will not be able to bring down apartheid!
NEP = Apartheid, nothing less!
#4 by TruthEnquirer on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 8:07 am
The New Economic Policy (NEP)’s twin objectives are to eradicate poverty and restructuring society by eliminating identification of economic function with race.
As it turns out, the NEP’s allocation of 30% equity in listed companies to Bumi’s for example is always done by the 30% being allocated to wealthy and politically connected Bumis and not the ordinary ones.
It is not just the government’s doing. The 30% to be taken up at issue price has to be paid for and it is the well to do Bumis who could satisfy the criteria of credit worthiness to raise the financing for such subscription. Financial institutions will not just provide loans to ordinary bumis based on collateral of newly issued quoted shares, given the vagaries of the stock market.
Another thing is that the non bumi substantial or majority shareholder of the company listed would prefer and invite the politically well connected bumi to take up the 30% bumi allocation because it is only the well connected politically who could, as beneficiary of the BN’s patronage system, get big and lucrative award of government projects and spin offs that could be injected into the company listed to enhance shareholder value. Also helpful is that the well connected Bumi shareholder who is either Dato or Tan Sri could be appointed nominal chairman and use his feudal prestige and connections to clear bureaucratic impediments in civil service to getting various consents exemptions and approvals necessary for successful implementation of the projects.
The bumi could also sell his 30 per cent allocation if due to his connections no moratorium of 2 – 3 years is imposed on his allocation. He is then free to shop around for any company to be listed going through some modus operandi to increase his wealth quickly by his bumi status underpinned by political connections.
This is where the NEP favours the privileged few and not ordinary Malays. It is however not entirely the government’s deliberate doing. The whole system involving banks, civil service and non Malay entrepreneurs conspire to perpetuate such a state of affairs with each group concerned only with its own agenda and profit.
#5 by Jimm on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 8:09 am
A very typical Orang Melayu Kaya clearly seen here.
In the 40s and 50s, they have been around with that style that their own kind are not very ‘comfortable’ with.
As for BN government, we all knew that they are not here to serve for the country. Their own agenda are behind all their actions.
It’s like the “X – files”.
Well, the saying goes .. “What goes around, comes around”
Malaysia, as a country will soon go through a serious round of ‘flushing out and cleaning’ process.
There will enough people involved in this process and many will be killed in order to set the system back to neutral.
Most of us are educated and knowledgable to understand this sacrifies from many.
Those who are ready to face it will dealt with the outcome the way they prepare themselves.
It’s the price to pay for a new Malaysia.
#6 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 8:31 am
“If need be, there should be appropriate adjustments and revamp so that the international community will not view it as a discriminatory policy expressly for serving the purpose of only one race.â€Â
This is as ridiculous as it could get.
I think that the NEP has deviated from its original purpose which is to restructure society and to end the identification of economic functions with race which were viewed as a major source of political instability in the 70s. It is never the objective of this policy to enrich any one particular group based on ethnicity. It is about widening the size of the Malay middle class since a narrow middle class especially when it is along racial lines, is a source of instability in any country. It is about the need to share the national economic pie on a more equitable basis as a short term solution to a long term problem.
Suffice it to say that some thirty years downstream the objectives of this policy have been over achieved. It is time to adjust it to make it fairer to the disadvantaged among all races. The only question is: how do we do it?
It is going to be difficult unless there is a different coalition running the government. Vested interests are strongly at work to prevent any changes to this policy which now serves UMNOputras and their cronies.
But when you demand change “…so that international community will not view it as a discriminatory policy etc†it comes close to insulting our status as a sovereign state as one could get. It would be different to say, however, that with globalization and free trade the country should have another look at such affirmative action policy on such a scale and of the nature the NEP is or has become, to see if it would not be more in the national interest to dismantle roadblocks that policies like the NEP have put in the way of national economic progress. It is never the policy to encourage foreign trade and foreign investment for its own sake. The country needs foreign trade and investment because of what they bring to this country in terms of jobs etc. No sovereign state welcomes interference in their domestic policies by foreign interests because it is an encroachment on national sovereignty.
#7 by Cinnamon on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 9:34 am
Readers,
This is the just the beginning of international pressure on injustices done. Gone are the times that government can think it can do anything it likes because ‘IT’S DOMESTIC ISSUE’.
The current world economic scenario requires nations to fulfill the basics on humanatarian needs. What we hear on the newspaper about Rommel’s comment might be just the tip of iceberg, there could be many issues discussed between world organizations and government which didn’t come out in papers.
The issues raised by world organization will be beyond NEP, I am sure the issue of religious freedom will be part of agenda. It is important to note recently a landmark activity had happened in Europe,, Ex-Muslims Council has been formed.
http://pubphilosopher.blogs.com/pub_philosopher/2007/06/ex-muslim-counc.html
I hope it will serve as a wake call to the rest of group that, people can be oppresssed. Salman Rushdie’s knighthood is also a sign that people are giving serious messages to the narrow minded people.
#8 by DarkHorse on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 9:42 am
“Gone are the times that government can think it can do anything it likes because ‘IT’S DOMESTIC ISSUE’.”
Yes, that’s what every country is doing. China refused to float its currency which works to its advantage. To float would make the Rmb more expensive and with that its goods become less competitive in the word market.
Malaysia has come under world pressure for not doing enough to end human trafficking. It is still business as usual.
The government can and does think it can do “anything it likes” – practically.
#9 by Cinapek on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 9:47 am
We can argue the pedantics until we are blue in the face about whether it is right or wrong for Rommel to “interfere” in our sovereign affairs. Because, at the end of the day, his opinions are the ones heard in the corridors of power in the EU and the policies and the level of relationship the EU decides on will be based on his opinions and certainly not how much fuss our ministers make or how big a demonstration the BN(read UMNO) can muster . Of course, we should for the sake of the independence of our sovereignty, give Rommel a bloody nose but we still need to deal with the negative perception that will prevail in the EU Govts. That is the crux of the whole matter.
#10 by smeagroo on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 10:20 am
These ministers are not living in denial. They are living the time of their lives! With richess and luxury at their disposal, would they be willing to give it up? No in another millenium.
#11 by MWong on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 10:22 am
Spot on Cinapek!
Is the perceptions of EU member states of the remarks that count!
This is what on BBC News!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6237328.stm
#12 by blackacre on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 10:45 am
Hear Hear Cinapek,
The Local Noisemakers will remain noise makers, the Eu’s perception of the Malaysian Government’ policy’s and dare i submit, by default “Malaysians” will at the end of the dare be tainted… We should present a united front to scramble for a bigger pie instead of losing the issue concentrating on pie division, remember Najib, KJ, Hish… 100% of nothing is still nothing
#13 by HJ Angus on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 10:45 am
Sorry our leaders “do not live under coconut shells”
They live in ivory towers, drive exotic cars and fly executive jets that you and I have paid for, well maybe some of it.
The NEP is over but the ruling elite still want to enforce it as it is a very rewarding(for a few) program.
It is time to truly bury the NEP.
http://malaysiawatch.blogspot.com/2005/07/bury-nep-it-is-now-time-to-give-peace.html
#14 by HJ Angus on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 10:56 am
NEP has become worse than apartheid as the majority who are supposed to benefit get merely crumbs but are still convinced that the policy benefits them!
I wonder what it will take to awaken the masses?
#15 by ProMalaysiaNotBN on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 10:56 am
Richard hit the nail right on the head with the following statement:
“Our leaders are always in a denial mode whenever there are legitimate criticisms levied at our govt or our policies while at the same time feeling they have a divine right to pinpoint the inadequacies of other less unfortunate countries.”
The govenment and those supporting it should frame up that statement and read it everyday to remind themselves of their prevalent mindset. And hopefully, in time, they will resolve to practise more statemanship than be mere politicians.
I continue to pray for salvation despite the cynicsm and pessimism under the present state of affairs in Malaysia. Richard is saying things many of us should do so and practise.
#16 by sotong on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 11:01 am
What’s new?
Our grossly incompetent, irresponsible and misguided arrogant leader/s just do not want to be told what to do……..even after creating unnecessary and avoidable mess to the country and causing suffering to the ordinary people.
#17 by marmitecrab on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 11:01 am
There is so much talk about this, I can barely keep up. So we need to ask ourselves this, is it going to change anything? Are our leaders going to suddenly grow up and learn to accept criticism, be it from inside or out? Is national policy going to change overnight? Finally, the big question – what are we going to do about it?
#18 by blackacre on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 11:09 am
Hj Angus,
Who is going to bury the NEP, the People who are profiting from it? surely not and the alternative we are told will lead to bloodshed…..
So there the rakyat is between the devil and the depp blue sea, we can only pray for divine intervention
#19 by Bobster on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 11:27 am
There is NO way opposition parties can dismantle this racist NEP.
There is NO way the general populace can bring down NEP without getting involved in racial discord.
There is NO way the poorest in this country IRRESPECTIVE OF RACES getting their share from NEP or getting their voice heard from the injustice done by the NEP.
The only way to destroy this racist injustice policy so called NEP is getting the international community (major players like EU, China, US, Singapore, Japan etc) to pressure this nation to amend the policy to STOP FEEDING THE RICH BREED!
Malaysia has no rights even to criticize Myanmar and acting like the head of ASEAN. We are indifference to our general populace having preferential treatment to a certain breed irrespective of their social economy.
SHAME TO CALL OURSELVES MALAYSIANS AFTER 50 YRS INTO INDEPENDENCE. WE HAVE CABINET MINISTERS STILL LIVING UNDER COCONUT SHELL HAVING HARD TIME SWALLOW THE WORD GLOBALISATION!
We be glad to see companies like MAS, PROTON, PETRONAS, TM, MAYBANK etc gone with the wind when GLOBALISATION taking its toll. Only then fellow Malaysians or to be precised special BREEDS wake up from from their slumberland realised their have been living the the dream since independence and we are 50 yrs behind the rest of the world by then probably be too late.
#20 by paix on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 12:00 pm
These complete ignoramus are not your leaders. They are the despicable devils leading you down the path of destruction.
#21 by raverus on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 12:03 pm
Let the world know, we are just killing ourself.
Lesser foreign investors is better.
#22 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 12:16 pm
“Dr.Thierry Rommel’s criticism of the N.E.P as head of the European Union delegation represent a unique departure of standard protocol but like the apartheid in South Africa it will not be the last until the vestige of its policy is finally dismantled.” Richard Teo
Come’on.. Apartheid and NEP are way to far to be put together even in comparison, do we have a Nelson Mandela? The only point about NEP is this; UMNO abuses NEP or BN abuses NEP. What Rommel said is not for UMNO to digest, but as a Malaysian I don’t think I will buy every words of what Rommel said. Even if DAP came into power it will still have to give special privilages to the bumiputras because in reality, they still have to catch up after years of NEP abuses by UMNO. The only reason why I prefer DAP to be the govt as it is the party I can trust to deliver the real result of NEP, at the same time provides transperancy accountability without any question.
#23 by Plaintruth on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 1:38 pm
I believe one of the forces that will turn out to be decisive for future malay government to rethink continue implementation of NEP is from the pressures of high influence countries.
For years I am ashamed to be a malaysian. Ashame and anger about telling what NEP had done to the non-bumi. My emotion got choke up. I did not say anything to my foreign national colleagues.
Once in a blue moon, I talked to Indonesian and Thai colleagues who are having masters and Ph. D. I talked about the conditions in malaysia of what the non-bumi were treatred. They have absolutely no idea what was going on in malay land. They were amazed.
I realised that I had to tell the whole world. To let more people know and let the truth be told. Let the consciencious citizen of the world to lend a helping hand. Any single voice they had in internet, in newspaper print, in magazine, in television will eventually lead to international pressure.
As reported in the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6490407.stm
“The US has told Malaysia that it will not be able to conclude a free-trade agreement this summer as hoped…. Access to Malaysia’s car and banking industries and worries over laws giving Malay firms preference for government contracts have clouded discussions. ”
These are the kind of pressures international community can extert on the malay government. I call upon all readers to have Mr. Lim’s blog as a link on their web page. Let more people outside of malaysia know what kind of injustice is going on. It may take a while, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years but this would generates momentum for the cry of the international communities to call the malay government to put its NEP practise to a stop.
NEP had been abused from year number one of its implementation and 8.9 million non-bumi had been suffering under this apartheid policy. We need to wake up the people of this world to come to our aid.
Use the power of internet to spread the words.
Be the force with you.
#24 by Bobster on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 2:41 pm
Can someone with close business connection with Volkswagen inform the heads of the company not to be hasty in their so called joint venture with Proton without knowing the history of the country first (quoted from Hissammudin)? We taxpayers have been treated like suckers by the government for ages subsidizing umno linked companies like MAS and Proton and now their are looking for foreign victims to join the misery.
Volkswagen, forget about the deal. Let the umno-linked companies die of its natural death. We general populace will be less shameful for calling ourselves MALAYSIANS and inviting you to our country for a holiday.
#25 by k1980 on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 3:26 pm
If Volkswagen can hold out a bit longer, Abdullah may offer Proton to them for just one euro. Proton is just a can of worms, healthy when viewed from outside but thoroughly decayed inside. The same goes for MAS and the rest of the GLCs
#26 by HJ Angus on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 3:55 pm
I think the people at VW will know how to handle the discussions.
If not they will deserve the deal they get!
#27 by Jong on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 4:12 pm
Good write-up Richard. You’ve touched a few raw nerves and that’s the way to go! Hope it pricks their conscience and realise the meaning of “pride” and “self-worth”.
“Sorry our leaders “do not live under coconut shellsâ€Â
They live in ivory towers, drive exotic cars and fly executive jets that you and I have paid for, well maybe some of it.” – HJ Angus
– that’s a good one but with slight correction:
“you and I paid for …” should read
“most non-malays pay for …”
#28 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 4:13 pm
What Rommel said we already knew, but that doesn’t mean we do not appreciates him for speaking about NEP unfavourably. But dismantling NEP will not be easy, it will be a painful process. It is better if NEP stays, what we urgently needs is a new govt.
#29 by Loh on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 5:33 pm
///Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein should learn to control his temperament and avoid making foolish statements that foreigners should not interfere in govt business without first knowing its history.///
This Keris-waver was just following up on his cousin’s statement that since the Malays were bullied by foreign powers since the Malacca sultanate, the Malays now can take turn to bully others, the non-Malays.
#30 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 5:35 pm
What I don’t understand is why does it take some ‘red devil’ sitting behind a typewriter and a desk somewhere thousands of miles away in Sydney, Australia or in New York to knock some sense into our heads that the Malaysian government is not only wrong in the management of its monetary and fiscal and trade policies – just as much as I understand why the national coalition run government has to be xenophobic every time some ‘red devil’ verbalize his or her thoughts.
#31 by smeagroo on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 5:47 pm
If not for people like these goons, Malaysia would have been like Singapore or better.
#32 by pwcheng on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 5:51 pm
Just imagine, a small touch on the NEP no matter by who, whether a foreigner or local will sent some of the UMNO ministers go berserk. Of course they have to hold this close to their hearts because they had been benefiting tremendously from this policy. This is worst than the Apartheid policy because this is done by the majority race which means even 10 Nelson Mandelas will not be able to disband this discriminatory policy. We can only seek for international pressure and hope somebody can bell the cat by getting enough signatories for this purpose.
It is a shame that they still try to comment on other countries about human rights when racial discrimination is flying all over their face.
#33 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 6:01 pm
Having said that, is the Head of the European Delegation interfering in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state – just at the mention of the abbreviations NEP?
He himself has now denied ever having the intention and said he never called for the end of the NEP. I would like to hear his views, his argument etc. within the context of the free trade talks.
Then there is this attempt by this reader to compare Malaysia to South Africa and its apartheid policies. If this is not a gross exaggeration of the facts and a distortion of the truth, I don’t know what is.
Are there in Malaysia, race laws touching every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between Malays and non-Malays, an Act like the Population Registration Act of South Africa requiring that all Malaysians be racially classified into one of three categories: brown, yellow, black or mixed (of mixed descent). Classification into these categories being based on appearance, social acceptance, and descent. The Home Affairs Ministry responsible for the classification of the citizenry? Non-compliance with the race laws are dealt with harshly. All non-Malays are required to carry “pass books” containing fingerprints, photo and information on access when they enter Malay areas?
#34 by Loh on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 7:32 pm
///It is better if NEP stays, what we urgently needs is a new govt///
There is a clear and important difference between doing the right thing, and doing the thing right. It is wrong to have NEP as interpreted by BN. NEP was needed to cover up the coup of 1969. It has become as a reader aptly described as New Eoconomic Parasites. BN depended or made use of NEP to stay in power. A new government does not need this poison, and so NEP should not stay. If a new government needed NEP to come into power, then the government that can sleep with the devil cannot be trusted.
#35 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 8:08 pm
“These are the kind of pressures international community can extert on the malay government.”
Are you kiddin’?
They hardly qualify as ‘pressure’.
#36 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 8:38 pm
PlainTruth,
Listen.
Don’t lose sight of the context in which statements like that were made. We are talking free trade and access to the US market for Malaysian products and their access to ours. Automobiles and banking are just two of the industries which are highly regulated and protected along with many others. We know that.
They don’t care as to whether the ‘Malay’ government as you refer to it has made banking, for example, a highly regulated industry to serve the needs of a particular ethnic group more than others. We have a free enterprise system which encourages competition but our domestic market is heavily protected against international competition – for good reasons.
Malaysia is not alone in having such protectionist policies. Every other country has and like I say for ‘good reasons’ i.e. to provide employment for its citizens. If globalization means massive loss of employment at home without more, then there is no reason to open our domestic market to foreign competition. It does not make sense to do so. It is an aspect of our sovereignty which the government is sworn to protect.
Globalization and free trade have their opponents even in countries like the United States. You should not be surprised because they are losing jobs by the thousands because of factories having to close and relocate to China. They are outsourcing everything and exporting jobs to China and India.
A friend who woks with American Express here in the U.S. have counterparts in India for example taking care of the needs of customers on the phone – customers who are residing here in the U.S. calling him on the phone and asking if he has received his travelers checks at 3.00 a.m.
I receive calls from my credit card companies from callers with heavy Indian accent who behave like they are reading from a script and not able to understand my replies to his questions or his to mine.
#37 by DarkHorse on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 - 9:37 pm
“Our leaders are always in a denial mode whenever there are legitimate criticisms levied at our govt or our policies while at the same time feeling they have a divine right to pinpoint the inadequacies of other less unfortunate countries.” Richard Teo
Denial?? They do not deny. They just tell them to bugger off and not interfere.
“..divine right to pinpoint the inadequacies of other less unfortunate countries”
You call the EU unfortunate countries??
C’mon you’re not making any sense here. Less of the rhetoric and more facts if you don’t mind.
#38 by art-upon-mu on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 1:31 am
Thank you, Thierry Rommel, for creating a little ripple and excitement that puts Malaysia in the world news. The national tourism board appreciates very much your effort in helping to promote Visit Malaysia 2007.
However, on the other hand, Umnoputras are not happy over your speech that threatens to disrupt their well-designed, easy-to-come, and perpetual self-enriching policy. Beware, Thierry Rommel, for very soon you will be shown the keris, together with the war cry: “Get loss if you don’t like it here!”
#39 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 3:15 am
“It is wrong to have NEP as interpreted by BN. NEP was needed to cover up the coup of 1969.” Loh
You said it yourself, NEP has fallen into the wrong hands. You can have the best formula but if BN have it, the formula will be working only for a few privilege members and not for those in which the policies were desined for. The problem is the govt, hence every workable or sound policies tend to be abuse, this is because there existed this thing called corruption culture in BN and it is the root of all problems in Malaysia. Let’s stop argueing about the NEP, for all we know it has a noble agenda, that is to distribute the wealth of this country evenly so that every Malaysians are well taken care of. Vote for DAP and let see they can do a better job.
#40 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 3:30 am
“If a new government needed NEP to come into power, then the government that can sleep with the devil cannot be trusted.” Loh
Which govt is sleeping with the devil now? We have only one govt. Can you trust BN govt? I don’t and I am sure my reasons are valid. Will you sack this govt for all their wrongdoings? Or can you? If you can than there will not be a Malaysian govt that dares to sleep with the devil. And like it or not, even if you are able to vote in a new govt, they will still needs the NEP. To dismantle NEP will have to start from education in school.
#41 by Count Dracula on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 5:08 am
“There is a clear and important difference between doing the right thing, and doing the thing right.” Loh
Yep. “Doing the right thing, and doing the thing right.” How about doing the wrong thing right?
“It is wrong to have NEP as interpreted by BN. ” Loh
How could they be wrong when they were the ones (at least UMNO-MCA-MIC) who introduced the policy? You mean to say they don’t what they are doing?! Of course, they knew the policy they forged.
“NEP was needed to cover up the coup of 1969.” Loh
You confused the action from the reaction, the cause from what was caused. The coup if we could call it that was followed by a policy to enrich the Malays at the expense of the non-Malays, by a policy of robbing Paul to pay Peter.
Or was it the cause of Peter having nothing much to begin with?
#42 by Count Dracula on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 5:12 am
“To dismantle NEP will have to start from education in school.” Dawsheng
Naaaah!Just throw it into the toilet and flush it away.
#43 by pwcheng on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 7:06 am
I think this NEP policy has got most Malaysians on their nerves including many BUMIS who have no UMNO connections and foreigners are not spared. That is why people are so fed up with it that even protocol can fly.
This policy had only benefited a few and rob off the opportunities of many.
#44 by DarkHorse on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 7:40 am
It is time we forge a different coalition to run the government. Can we do that?
#45 by shaolin on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 11:59 am
Do Not Need to go too far, our country also Practise
APARTHEID POLICY, More popularly known as ‘Walking
Stick Policy’ Or WSP!!
New NEP Is Like Malays’ SOUL,
Without NEP Is Likened To Malays Without SOUL!
Monkeys Are Protected Species Inside Zoos,
Malays Are Protected Species Outside Zoos!!
IF We See Malays With ‘Walking Sticks’,
We Know They Are Protected Species;
IF We See Malays Without ‘Walking Sticks’,
We Know They Are Walking TALL!!!
#46 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 12:16 pm
“Naaaah!Just throw it into the toilet and flush it away.” Count Dracula
Great idea!
#47 by Loh on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 4:03 pm
Count Dracula, and dawsheng:
Thank you for your interest in my comments.
Yes, to do the wrong thing right would make it worse!
The NEP was needed to cover up the fact that a coup was undertaken. NEP was the government’s answer when it pretended that May 13 was an economic issue when the government knew very well that it was the results of actions by a powerful character in Selangor who needed ‘something drastic’ to retain power.
NEP in its original language was to use a racial approach to make jobs, professions and economic functions not identified with race. That was not needed in 1969 when Article 153 was about to run its course in 1972. So, the win-win formula for the government which had stolen power was to put the blame of the riot on the jealousy of the Malays at the success in economic field of the non-Malays. That explanation put the Malays in bad light, and that is why the Malays now would want to say that because they had been bullied since the 15th century, and so NEP should remain, as claimed by the DPM and his ilks.
A democratic government is by the people, for the people, and of the people. When it becomes a government for only some of the people, and by some of them, then these ‘some of the people’ would act like a gang, and then use the power of the state to bully the minority. The gang would more easily get support from gang members, and they together when in majority can appear to be democratically elected. That is the effect of divide and rule. UMNO used Article 153, and NEP to stay in power, as a gang!
If the government is for all the people, NEP should not be in its policy consideration. Help and assistance to the people cannot be depended on the race and religion of the beneficiaries. All citizens belong the the same class, and they deserve equal opportunities. When they needed help then they are the unfortunate lot which the government is obliged to help. In fact in the developed world, there are also non government organizations which worked to assist the citizens.
It appeared to be a short cut to provide assistance to people based on race and religion so that the different races would appear to be on the same footing. No two persons can be equal because there are too many characteristics that could not be assigned tangible value where the weighted average could be accepted as a measure for comparison. It is much worse when more persons, such as a community is involved.
The NEP set the figure of 30% of equity share as a target. Then statistics become the subject of manupulation. To begin with, if the networth of FELDA scheme alone with its million plus acres of palm oil and rubber plantation computed, just like networth of the estates of Harrison, and Sime Darby, which were then branches of foreign company whose net worth were included in the equity computation, the Malays’ share of equity would have been more than 18% in 1970 rather than the 1.43 per cent as quoted in official documents. And now the government is silent when ASLI’s report said that the Malays had more than 30% of the equity which is the target of NEP, and NEP should end.
It is UMNO’s pledge to have NEP, and it acts like a gang. If the opposition follows UMNO way to have NEP, it is then also a gang. If the government is run by a gang, then we are finished. Yes we need to throw out UMNO and BN, and we should have this with the support of the Malays. It is the Malays who allowed UMNO the indulgence even when UMNO’s action on NEP is not islamic.
#48 by Loh on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 4:33 pm
Loh wrote:
From the notes kept by Tun Dr. Ismail, it was clear that Artile 153 was meant to help Malays to catch up with the other races in the country, and it was his belief that Malays would in time forgo those provisions in Article 153. The special provisions was for 15 years, and subject to review. The review did not come. Assuming that after the first review in 1972, the majority considered it necessary to extend the Article for 2/3 of the original 15 years, then the next review should be held in 1982. Let us further assume that at every review, the extension would be for 2/3 of the previous period. By 2002, after numerous extensions, the Article would expire.
I think that as a country, there should not be any preferential treatment for any persons based on race or religion, just like in a family, the parent sould treat their children equally, good or bad. It is true that not every person irrespective of race or religion would be able to cope with the challenge in life. For them special assistance might be needed, and the government should be the first to provide such assisance. Thus, help should be based on needs, but not based on race or religion.
Political parties and associations of people are the normal organisations which channel the wishes of the people to establish modern governments of the people, by the people(their representatives), and for the people. Unfortunately the founders of Malaya who agreed among themselves of the give and take among the races were ousted before they could remove any provisions which could be abused by their successors. Today we see that Article 153 is looked upon as the right of Malays to enjoy position of Malay Ketuanan. Days after the May 13 incidents, Tun Razak who was earier appointed by the Tunku as the Director of National Operation to the NOC, but as announced by Tunku was to report to Tunku, announced that he as the Director reported to the King. That announcement was in fact a coup d’etat fait accompli. The NEP was a convenient announcement to put the blame of the disturbances to economic disparity between the races. In fact between 1957 and 1969, apart from implementing Article 153, the government developed over a million acres of rubber and palm oil plantation, for the benefits of exclusively Malays settlers. Over 100,000 Malay households or 15% of Malays population had a direct benefit from the Felda scheme. The government claimed that the Malays had only 1.43% of equity share capital in 1970, but with the FELDA plantations, the Malays had a networth of not less than 15% in that year alone. The special assitance given to Malays in civil service employment, scholarships, as well as the FELDA schemes, and other assistance provided by MARA during Tunku’s watch would have satisfied the fair thinking Malays about the special favour afforded them. But the coup d’etat needed a cover-up. That crisis provided an opportunity seized upon by new Malays who expertly exploited the provson of article 160(2), in particular, Makmaks presented themselves as saviours of the Malay race.
We do not ask Malays to have special responsibility for the special right; since the constitution did not envisage special right for Malays. Yes, we ask Malays who have the majority in number to evaluate whether they are better now than they were before. If they were not, then they should let the opposition, PAS, PKR, and DAP has a chance to replace BN.
26/06 05:11:06
#49 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 5:26 pm
The attempt by some readers to compare Malaysia to South Africa and its apartheid policies, if this is not a gross exaggeration of the facts and a distortion of the truth, I don’t know what is.
Are there in Malaysia, race laws touching every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between Malays and non-Malays, an Act like the Population Registration Act of South Africa requiring that all Malaysians be racially classified into one of three categories: brown, yellow, black or mixed (of mixed descent). Classification into these categories being based on appearance, social acceptance, and descent. The Home Affairs Ministry responsible for the classification of the citizenry? Non-compliance with the race laws are dealt with harshly. All non-Malays are required to carry “pass books†containing fingerprints, photo and information on access when they enter Malay areas?
#50 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 6:46 pm
“Thus, help should be based on needs, but not based on race or religion.” Loh
Malaysia is not alone. The United States which is a 200 year old democracy is still struggling with the same issues – with all the legislation aimed at making racial discrimination illegal, racism is still a huge issue here.
#51 by Loh on Wednesday, 27 June 2007 - 8:34 pm
When Malaysia was not alone, it does not make her less wrong.
#52 by undergrad2 on Thursday, 28 June 2007 - 12:35 am
Malaysia is not yet 50 years old compared to 200 years in the case of the United States. Malaysia is very much still a young fart. Give her time.
#53 by i_love_malaysia on Thursday, 28 June 2007 - 2:09 am
It got nothing to do with the age of a nation, it got more to do with the civilisation!!! Please dont always use the excuse that we are a young nation to justify ourselves to be rated third class in every thing!!! Look no further and you will see a vibrant young nation which is younger than Malaysia and rated first class in many things!!! Please dont always says that we are a big country and that’s the reason why we have so much problems, we are no bigger than many many well managed/first world countries in the world!!!
#54 by MWong on Thursday, 28 June 2007 - 3:17 am
If the govt is still slackin’ away @ the costs of people’s time, in another 20, 30, even 50 yrs to come , Msia will be still the same if not worse off..
The future for MALAYSIANS (be it bumi or non-Malays) are bleak. Im @ my mid-20’s (given blessed with good health), time will prove me ( or many of us) right or wrong.
#55 by DiaperHead on Thursday, 28 June 2007 - 6:46 am
MWong,
You sound so terribly naive for a 20-yr old! Do you think these guys are concerned about whether the country is going to the dogs? Hell no! All they care is make money while the sun shines. They already have prime properties scattered in London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Bahamas, Vancouver not to mention Perth, Sydney and Melbourne., Hong Kong and Macao. The world is their playground.
Malaysia? Who cares.
#56 by MWong on Thursday, 28 June 2007 - 8:00 am
Diaperhead,
Ive to agree with u..(maybe except the part that m naive), coz i’ve met many sons and daughters of the Menteri-menteri here in the UK…
Yes, that’s y Msia has no time to wait..coz we’re a NO future country under BN govt..