By Yin Ee Kiong | 12 May 2011
CPI Asia

First things first: DAP’s ban on Utusan Malaysia is wrong. Wrong because it is hypocritical to damn Umno-BN when they ban certain media from covering party or official functions and now DAP is doing the same thing.

DAP banning Utusan is wrong because it is the right of every paper to attend events so that they can report to their readers. Let the readers decide on the veracity of each report and let the authorities deal with the paper if it has overstepped the mark. Wrong because to call for freedom of the press on the one hand and now to ban a paper on the other all only the party does not like what it’s reporting is an indefensible position to take.

And wrong again to kick up such a ruckus as it did over the Utusan issue. It is enough to refute such false statements. There is no need for the brouhaha because it is in the opposition’s interest that Utusan and their fellow travellers be given enough rope to hang themselves.

So instead of bellyaching, DAP should thank Utusan and Ibrahim Ali etc. With enemies like that you don’t need friends.

As we get nearer to the 13th general election Umno-BN is panicking and when you panic you make mistakes.

Mistake No.1

To try to whip up Malay support by playing the race card (Ketuanan Melayu) and then the religion card (Christianity as ‘official religion’, Christian prime minister). In the latter case, PAS cut the ground from under Umno’s feet by saying that it has no objections against a Christian PM.

Worse still, its own cabinet minister Bernard Dompok stated that the Federal Constitution allows anyone of any religion to be PM. He was the only one of the non-UMNO ministers who dared challenge the perception of many that only a Malay or Muslim can be PM. I recall it was also Bernard Dompok who spoke out against the declaration of Malaysia as an Islamic State while the other non-Malay ministers and MPs cowered in fear.

Mistake No.2

To think that the Christians will turn the other cheek once more and remain docile and quiet when false accusations are hurled at them. Sometimes enough is enough! Just as they will not accept the government’s position on the use of the word ‘Allah’, Christians (with the Catholics leading the charge) have started to defend themselves against lies and further erosion of their right to freedom of worship as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Mistake No.3

To think that the average Malay can be easily whipped into a jihad. The average Malay is a decent person, he knows what is right and what is wrong. His religion teaches him tolerance. He is concerned with making a living. And he is just as incensed at the level of corruption and abuse of power as a non-Malay. He too does not like the way Islam is being portrayed by certain of his fellow Muslims.

While the average Malay is concerned with his future he does not want to be dependent on government handouts forever and a day – he has his pride too. But after 40 years of robust racial policies in his favour, he still sees poverty in the kampungs and he wonders why. He wonders if Ketuanan Melayu only benefits certain groups and not those who need help most.

Today’s Malays are smart enough not to be used as political pawns in the name of race and religion. But then again like in every community there are black sheep and greedy pigs.

Mistake No.4

To think that money buys everything. Yes, the simple-minded ulu folks are still for sale but increasingly the urban and semi-urban folks know that whatever is promised is not always delivered. And they are sophisticated enough to accept bribes with their head and vote with their heart. They are also less timid these days and are not easily cowed by threats.

Mistake No.5

To think that PAS can still be used as the bogeyman to frighten the non-Muslims. Although PAS has come out clearly that they want an Islamic State, voters know that this won’t happen unless PAS can capture 75% of the seats – which is most unlikely. Besides in trying to out-Islam PAS, Umno has made itself unpopular with both the Muslims and non-Muslims. True Muslims know that Umno is hypocritical: How can they promote Islam when many of them do not live an exemplary life as a Muslim? Today Umno is the bogeyman and not PAS.

I say let Utusan Melayu have as much rope as it wants. Let Ibrahim Ali have his say. And let the Muslim NGOs go to town. They are the best recruiting agents for Pakatan Rakyat. May Allah bless them all.