by Dr. Chen Man Hin
The concept of a Malaysian Malaysia has caught the imagination of the people, ever since the struggle for a more just and equal society by the newly formed DAP in 1965.
With the departure of the PAP of Singapore because of the separation from Malaysia, a group of people led by Devan Nair formed a committe to build a new party – the Democratic Action Party.
The first test came when the dap (as yet unregistered) participated in a by-election in Rahang, Seremban. As Dap was waiting for registration, the symbol of Plum Blossom was chosen to be the by-election symbol.
The DAP won the by election with a stunning majority over the candidates of two other parties – MCA and Labour party.
The victory confirmed that the concept of Malaysian Malaysia had substantial support from the people. From then onwards the “Plum Blossom Spirit” caught on and this same spirit has inspired Dap leaders to struggle on despite great difficulties and persecution from the Alliance, the then government of M
#1 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 11:44 am
///So Pakatan Rakyat is on the right road. With the inspiration of “Plum Blossom Spirit” we shall march together with confidence and dynamism towards Putra Jaya./// – Dr Chen Man Hin at the 45th anniversary of the Rahang by-election victory and the launching of the DAP “Plum Blossom Spirit campaign” in Seremban on 11th December 2010)
It is not the right to tag the DAP/PR campaign as ”Plum Blossom Spirit”.
DAP is an inclusive party open to call regardless of race and religion. It is fighting for the Malaysian Cause for all.
In spite of this, thanks in part to UMNO, the electorate have for a very long time being subject to propaganda that DAP is a Chinese based opposition party, Chinese-centric in agenda and championing Chinese interests rather than multiracial interests. No doubt this perception is not true but perceptual biases count in elections.
The DAP now tries hard to shed that perceptual bias of Chinese-centricity: DAP has set up new, exclusively Malay party branches in Selangor/Perak; Lim Guan Eng said he would like to emulate governance values of Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz and DAP deputy secretary-general Ngeh Koo Ham claims the party now has “a few thousand” Malay members!
So Dr Chen it is no more good to use plum blossom as metaphor for DAP struggle, which will run counter to whatever DAP is trying of late to do to shed ethnocentric/Chinese image.
This is no plum in Malaysia. Hibiscus, or bunga raya is national flower.
Plum on the other hand have special significance in chop stick culture of China and Japan. Many poems and works of art about revolutionary struggle including that of Mao Zedong feature the plum blossom! In China the plum blossom is a metaphor for nobility, strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity. Plum blossom still appears in the crests of some Chinese cities. Plum blossoms also appear on currency and company logos. In terms of cultural symbolism the difference between China and Japan is that in China, the plum blossom is tied up with winter whilst Japan, spring.
Dr Chen: To use the plum blossom to mark DAP campaign is only to reinforce rather than counteract the perceptive bias that DAP and its leaders have ethnocentric/Chinese/chopstick cultural bias and leanings, which is wrong and counter productive to the main larger campaign of DAP to shed Chinese chauvinist image!
#2 by monsterball on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 12:09 pm
Nice to be reminded of DAP struggles.
It is a fact…DAP fights for freedom for all Malaysians.
DAP is not a racist party…but because Chinese suffered most…their fights for Chinese seems more for others and Mahathir branded DAP…a racist party..and we know who mamak is….yet Najib and all are copying Mahathir’s style and accusations.
UMNO B have no new ideas. They are such great hypocrites…holding power to steal from the poor too.
They are drug addicts to MONEY…always want more and more…thinking out ideas how to get more and more too….disregarding the poor and needy…by proposing multi billions RM project…not logical towards our country real needs and wants…situations and circumstances.
UMNO B is totally insincere towards his own race.
#3 by k1980 on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 12:25 pm
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/wikileaks-reveals-anwar-walked-into-sex-trap/
“Singaporean intelligence officials told their Australian counterparts that Anwar engaged in the conduct for which he is accused, a claim he has steadfastly denied”.
So he DID?
#4 by Loh on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 1:02 pm
///The Malaysian Malaysia fever affected many leaders. Even Dr. Mahathir was influenced. When he became PM he immediately launched his one race, one culture policy, which was very unpopular. Then he changed and started his Bangsa Malaysia concept. Nobody believed him. His continued racial speeches belied his sincerity.///-Dr chen
So mamak has succeeded in the one race one religion at least in government services. The cancer succeeded, and the host dies.
#5 by Loh on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 1:27 pm
///Datuk Seri Najib Razak moved today to quell speculation that Felda was in financial trouble, saying the land agency was “rich” and not bankrupt.///-Malaysiakini
EPU of PM department should tell Malaysians what FELDA has contributed to the Malays’ equity capital in their statistics towards achieving the 30% NEP target. The figure is zero, and so FELDA is as good as bankrupt.
#6 by boh-liao on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 1:44 pm
Yes, Y plum blossom indeed?
D plum blossom is d national flower of Taiwan
Y not rambutan or durian blossom?
Y shoot yourself in d feet, DAP?
#7 by lee wee tak_ on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 2:37 pm
K1980 – if Anwar did, then how come we see such an unconvicing presentation in the courts?
Wikileaks is quoting from intelligence chit chat between S’pore and Australia…a person still has to be proven guilty in a proper legal process…
intelligence can be wrong too, like WMD in Iraq or China won’t intervene in North Korea even if the UN forces reached the Yalu river in 1950
#8 by Loh on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 5:18 pm
/// NEWS
Wikileaks: Anwar walked into sex trap, says Kuan Yew
Dec 12, 10 12:05PM
UPDATED 3.42PM Anwar himself knew it was a trap, yet he ‘walked into it anyway’, reveals a November 2008 US State Department cable released by Wikileaks.///–Malaysiakini
The meaning of walking into the trap can take the form that Anwar was set up for a court case, which might not have to involve impalement. The fluid in saifu’s body could be inserted through some mechanical means so long as saifu obtained those fluid somehow. Nobody knows whether it was Anwar or saifu who did it. LKY could only say what he has been told.
#9 by yhsiew on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 5:50 pm
I think “Bunga Rakyat Blossom Spirit” more appropriately reflects the situation that DAP is now in compared with “Plum Blossom Spirit” of the 1960s.
Remember the advertisement on TV3 during Hari Raya time in which a sledge, Santa Clauz and a lotus pond were shown. People said it was a “big mess”. If “Plum Blossom Spirit” is used in a DAP campaign, other races may say DAP is a Chinese-centric party which only looks after the interests of the Chinese.
#10 by boh-liao on Sunday, 12 December 2010 - 6:31 pm
NR: Opposition can’t emulate BN’s record
1 of BN’s records: NR declared Melaka “a developed state” on 20.10.2010
BN launched Melaka’s RM15.9mil monorail
Barely 2 months after its grand launch, d monorail project has been derailed
D monorail project dah mati n d monorail is now closed to d public
ROFL, Y would PR want 2 emulate dis BN’s sh!ti corrupt n incompetent record?
#11 by Loh on Monday, 13 December 2010 - 12:26 am
///This is no plum in Malaysia. Hibiscus, or bunga raya is national flower.///–Jeffrey
There is no rocket in Malaysia. Should DAP change its logo to kite?
#12 by Jeffrey on Monday, 13 December 2010 - 1:18 am
///There is no rocket in Malaysia. Should DAP change its logo to kite?///
Not necessary because whether a country has or has not something like a rocket or a kite or Hibiscus is not main pivotal reference point of argument.
The rocket used by DAP since the 1969 general election to symbolize modern, dynamic and progressive society of three major races and others is culturally neutral unlike the strong cultural symbolism of plum blossom in relation to its use in China & Taiwan.
Japan is not Chinese but Japanese culture has incorporated heavy Chinese influence.
For parts of it that are not Chinese influenced, and distinctively Japanese, at least Japan has an excuse that it has plum blossoms in their country, an excuse that Malaysia could not even avail.
So cultural neutrality or affiliation is the main point of reference of argument.
Whether a country has rocket or a kite or Hibiscus is not main pivotal reference point of argument whether it may be used as symbol but having it at least offers an excuse that one has it, familiar with it and not just identifying, importing and copying it from elsewhere in which cultural connotations of that object as linked with that other foreign place/country/culture are strong but absent in one’s own country.
#13 by Bigjoe on Monday, 13 December 2010 - 7:47 am
Very timely considering wikileak implication on both Najib and Anwar. BUT then again, the fact DAP and PAP had a history could make the link between that and this comment resentful..
Like it or not DAP is the real policy leader of PR AND if the world is just should not be a problem..
#14 by Loh on Monday, 13 December 2010 - 11:43 pm
Plum blossom symbolises perseverance and determination which are not exclusively the characteristics of Chinese or Japanese. So plum blossom cannot be tied to Chinese culture. As symbol plum blossom is culturally neutral. Being a multi-cultural country Malaysia allows free practices of culture and religion, though it is less free for the latter. There should thus be no taboo on the use of any thing to symbolise respectable pursuits.