“Unity” Government – A Malay Agenda
Taken from Malaysia Insider (M. Bakri Musa)
Dayakbaru: We must try to understand what is going on in the mind of Malays who are fighting for Unity government. Hopefully this article will the path to that understanding. Their action will flow into Sarawak and we must know what to expect in the eventuality that it comes. I hope NOT.
The two Malay political parties – Umno and PAS
are battling each other to convince us that each is better than the other in advancing the “Malay agenda.” The two are like ageing fighters stuck with their same old tired moves. They are oblivious of the fact that we are fed up with their act, their lack of vigour and imaginative new strategies.
In a clumsy if not desperate attempt for new moves they concocted a “vision” for a “unity” government based on the two parties! Left unstated is the question: Unity for what and against whom?
Can it make Malay more competitive
I wish that they would expend their efforts on making our people competitive, and thus lifting us out of poverty. That is the most important Malay agenda today. Better yet, I would prefer that they just exit the ring and let others run the show for a change.
I fail to see how this “unity” government would make Malays more competitive. The track record for Umno is for all to see. Corruption is now rampant, as well as the erosion of the integrity of our institutions and the deepening polarisation of Malaysians. The Melayu Baru (New Malay) of Umno has now morphed into Melayu Barua (Malay scoundrels).
PAS is not ready to run a modern state
As for PAS, after decades of ruling Kelantan, the young still have to leave the state to seek a better life. The state is regularly plagued with such diseases as cholera. Tok Guru Nik Aziz may be pious and religious, with honesty and humility thrown in massive doses, but he is completely inept in running a modern state. Apparently his humility does not extend to his intellect for he has not seen fit to seek competent help in such “secular” matters.
New political reality
Umno and PAS are so used to fighting each other that they have forgotten what it is they are fighting for. While they are busy fighting each other, the world has passed them by. Today with the increasing plurality of the Malaysian electorate, securing the majority Malay votes would not necessary translate into political power, at least at the national level.
PAS Wisdom
In a rare display of political wisdom, PAS recognised the need to reach beyond by, for example, fielding non-Malay candidates in the last election and establishing a new wing within the party for non-Muslims. However, whatever inroads the party may have made with non-Malays have since evaporated with its ill-conceived pursuit of a “unity government” with Umno.
UMNO is a slow learner
Umno, a slow learner, has yet to recognise this new political reality. Thus it treats its non-Malay coalition partners in Barisan with undisguised contempt. Umno leaders are quick to brandish their kerises, preferably dripped with ketchup for dramatic effect, at the slightest provocation.
Ketuanan Melayu
Chauvinistic appeals of Ketuanan Melayu to win Malay votes might still work, but only regionally in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Unfortunately those are not exactly the economic or power centres of the nation. In terms of population, landmass, and most importantly economic activities, the contributions of those states to the national total are at best miniscule.
The elements over-represented in those states are poverty and the underdevelopment of the people, and the overwhelming majority of whom are, sadly, Malays. Oh, yes, combined those four states have nearly half (four out of nine) of the sultans. For some, that is a source of endless pride.
What are these Malay politician fighting for?
As for the much-vaunted Malay agenda or even Ketuanan Melayu, I am at a loss as to what exactly these Malay politicians are fighting for. If it is for retaining the Malay language, sultans and other key elements of Malay culture, including and especially Islam, those are already enshrined in our constitution. Even if non-Malays were to oppose that, there is not much that they could do about it. By themselves they could never secure the necessary two-third majority needed to amend the constitution.
The only way for non-Malays, or anyone else for that matter, to do away with those constitutional provisions would be to bribe Members of Parliament (Malays and non-Malays) to amend the constitution. Then just to be sure, also bribe the senators and also the King and sultans so they too would agree with the changes.
The price tag would be cheap.
The late Tun Ghaffar Baba once suggested that for a few hundred million ringgit you could buy the entire Umno supreme council. With a billion or two you could get the whole Parliament and the Conference of Rulers.
The colonial British secured the entire country for considerably much less, even after factoring in for inflation and devaluation (of both the sterling and ringgit). Flattery made up for what they could not afford in gold. The British offered fancy titles like the knighthood of some medieval order to our leaders and sultans to win them over.
The corollary to my observation is that if we Malays truly wish to preserve our cherished special privileges, we better start electing honest and incorrupt leaders. Corrupt leaders would not only sell off those special privileges, they will also sell away our country.
Unity for what and against whom?
Following the Barisan election rout of March 8, 2008, the fear that the coalition, specifically Umno, would lose power at the national level was palpable. This desperation led misguided souls in Umno to seek those in PAS who had been longing for power. This quest for a “unity government” was nothing more than Umno securing an insurance policy for its continuing hold on power; for PAS, it was a seductive teasing on the taste of power.
It is ironic that the pursuit of a “unity government” resulted only in sowing distrust within the existing coalitions. In pursuing PAS, Umno succeeded only in straining relations with its long-time Barisan partners. PAS meanwhile managed only to poison its still frail Pakatan Rakyat coalition with PKR and DAP. Worse, as we are now seeing, it also threatens the unity of PAS.
Do your due diligence properly first before talking
The proponents for this “unity government” have obviously not done their due diligence or any downstream analysis. Those Umno warlords would not take kindly to sharing their bounty with their new kopiah-clad upstart colleagues. Far from “purifying” Umno, PAS would end up being just as corrupt as Umno.
It is remarkable that both Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tok Guru Nik Aziz are against the idea. I do not know their individual motives, but the fact they are both in rare agreement should serve as a cautionary note.
The Poison of Unity Government
If the disintegration of Umno and PAS were the consequence of this “unity” movement, I could not care less. However, the initiative would poison race relations in the country on a scale comparable to the May 1969 tragedy. Indeed the venom has already seeped out. That should concern everyone.
This “unity government” scheme is nothing more than a crude and greedy power-grab by the Umno and PAS pair. It is not to be confused with Tun Razak’s version following the May 1969 tragedy. Then it was truly a unity initiative, with the wise Tun opening up the old Alliance coalition to all willing participants.
Malay chauvinism
This latest scheme is the ugliest manifestation of Malay ultra chauvinism. It would lead not to unity but greater polarisations among Malays as well as between Malays and non-Malays, and at a time when we can least afford it.
Malay Unity cannot achieved two third majority in Parliament
Even if Umno were to merge with PAS, the new coalition would still never command a two-third majoritys in Parliament. At last count, even if every Member of Parliament with a Malay-sounding name were to vote in “unity,” that would still fall far short of a supra majority needed to amend the constitution. The political calculus has changed irreversibly.
Malay and Non Malay Malaysian must advance not at each other expense
The central reality is that Malays will have to advance with and not at the expense of non-Malay Malaysians. Likewise, non-Malays would advance along with and not at the expense of Malays. The unity that we should all strive for must not only be among Malays but also among Malaysians. We can begin that process not by pursuing a “unity government” but decreasing the rhetoric that polarises our society. Demanding that our political leaders be civil and courteous to each other would be an excellent beginning. Oh yes, please also keep those kerises sheathed!
It amuses me that the most vigorous proponents of this “unity government” in Umno and PAS are also the shrillest and most divisive voices before they discovered this “unity” religion.
A new direction for Malays
Instead of wasting time and effort in chasing the mirage of Malay “unity” and in the process unnecessarily alienating others, Malay leaders should focus on the more difficult and critical problem of enhancing Malay competitiveness. This problem cannot be solved simply by shouting slogans of Malay unity or Ketuanan Melayu. Instead we need leaders who are smart, competent, diligent, and above all, not corrupt.
Look at the schools Malay children attend.
How can we expect them to learn English or science when we do not provide them with competent teachers? Examine the institutions run predominantly by Malays, the civil service, for example. As Malays we should be ashamed of this. We need these institutions to be effective as they are a key to making Malays competitive.
What is limited?
The list is endless. What is limited, and severely so, is the willingness to acknowledge, let alone solve them. I have yet to hear something sensible from either PAS or Umno leaders. So far PAS wants Malays not to learn English and to ban Sisters in Islam. Well, that is an advancement of sorts; at least they are not harping on hudud. As for Umno leaders, they cannot even decide whether to continue teaching science and mathematics in English.
Malay leaders should not be deluding the masses with half-baked ideas of “Malay unity.” These leaders succeed only in deluding themselves. – bakrimusa.com
Popularity: 16% [?]
Related posts:
- Pakatan says no to unity goverment, aims to win and form Federal Government Pakatan leaders speak to the press after their meeting...
- Malay Rights By Shaik Rizal Sulaiman Governing and demanding The Malays are...
- The “Malay and Natives Rights” revisited. Taken from Malaysian Insider Written by Art Harun I...
- Hidden Agenda of the government under Konsep Baru – advance land premium Posted by Meramat Tajak Land Premium Yes, I recall the...
- Malay dominance in the civil service should remain unchanged and unchallenged Taken from The Malaysian Insider ** Dr Lim Teck Ghee...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Comments
11 Responses to ““Unity” Government – A Malay Agenda”
Leave a Reply
-
-
-
Total Hits
-
- "JAKSA PENDAMAI" MINTA HERALD MUAI "ALLAH"? (258)
- IbanImmigrant - Dayakbaru accept your Challenge (236)
- 1MALAYSIA - IS "ALLAH" EXCLUSIVE TO ISLAM? (215)
- Masing kritik penulis blog dakwa Dayak tidak berguna (191)
- SKIM MUNOH RAYAT (145)
- SIB CHURCH ATTACK – SEREMBAN No.13? (141)
- Jako Jabu tekelalu bula (139)
- "BN has money - PR talk only." (139)
- SMS ex-pengajar ngagai Johnny anak Chuat (131)
- Batang Ai Independent Candidate - Ruaikitai Community Portal Owner (127)
Inspirational word from gkm2020
Another case of Melayu Mudah Lupa. It was UMNO who backstabbed PAS in 1970, also on verge of unity government. And it is understandable for Tok Guru Nicky Aziz to say ‘Kita kenal sudah lama lagi siapa itu UMNO sebenarnya’. PAS image as the repressive cleric akin to Iran Ayatollah can be as grand as RTM propaganda so effective for the past 20-25 years and made worse by ‘punishment’ from Mahathir that block the RM billions of oil royalty money crippling Kelantan coffers. If you think a fair game of judgement by allowing time and money to show result-based governance then you’re wrong since BN and Mahathir never allow it to happen. Opposition-run state government efficiently? Not a chance by BN. If not, Kelantan would be the early platform reformasi before Anwar’s PKR and even DAP will study how Kelantan did it before capturing Penang state government. You think it is relevant to know who will go to heaven after voting PAS or UMNO? Those with common sense and determination to fight tyranny, corruption of BN UMNO knows that it’s more than a place in heaven to do justice. What a great disservice to people’s justice to reject that, just like the SNAP frogs leaving Dayakism during Ming Court Affair which further weaken PBDS altogether back into BN’s fold.
Of course UMNO’s main ploy on unity government with PAS is manipulating the phrase ‘demi hak orang melayu’ which in fact a total falsehood just to claim further ‘hak membolot UMNOputera’ actually. There are million ways to cheat, backstab and rob without uttering the word. Similarly here, just like how BN Dayak leaders smack fear on importance of Dayak unity under BN or further left behind lose it all, when in fact Dayak already lose almost entirely their soul and lands by the same BN Dayak leaders plus their cronies. Out of million plus all Dayaks, there are less than 0.01 percent Dayak population of actual individual Dayak cronies that really hold the money. Only 2500 UMNO delegates choose the Prime Minister for all 27 million Malaysians. How very 1Malaysian!
Of all political group in Dewan Rakyat, UMNO MPs can’t rule conveniently on virtue of simple majority. Plus with Sarawak and Sabah MPs can form another independent group, with MCA, Gerakan, MIC, PPP finally disband themselves from BN not a dismissed possiblity. UMNO is the great desperado, not PAS. PAS is not desperate. In fact what PAS did in revealing such a talk on unity issue with UMNO just show how desperate UMNO to patch their own BN fast-sinking ship. The Malays themselves are long rejecting UMNO BN and who are the Dayak BN leaders not to wake up from reality also? Perhaps Dayaks are such minor creature of ‘Dan Lain-Lain’ deemed to have no effect on national issue they afford to sleep soundly regardless of what happened next sailing without direction except sinking in BN ship.
Now we all Dayaks shall wait what our Dayak leaders react to PAS-UMNO unity talks. Are they going to angguk-angguk geleng-geleng iya-iya dulu-dulu SNAP-PBDS Taib-Yaakub same saje kita Dayak ikut saje?
You are very cunning Bakri Musa and know where to find a place to get sympathy. Well Bakri i don’t know why you don’t want your own race to be united?? Very strange and very rare. I know the reason why as the end is near for PKR if this unity gomen become reality. You are on the sinking boat now so be prepared to get your life jacket on. You know Bakri Musa if this come true Anwar will be drifting along in the open sea. You think the chinese junk of kit Siang will come to a rescue, no Bakri Musa as he is almost reaching the mainland China.
If i were you i will quickly abandon that ship now and join the glory of BN and start writing your own dream voyage.
Unity Goverment Talk – Dayak Politicians, What’s Your Stand?
So far, SPDP’s President made statement on the matter.
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=53572
How about the rest?
Changop 4540,
Nuan tu meh kitai Iban ke tau diberi ensumbar;
Selukai Kampung Udah Diupah Taib Nyadi Indu Buyah Pemuru Dayakbaru,
Puchong Mali Rampung Penampong Jako Kelintong Barisan Penipu,
Jari Kira Enggi Changop Meruan Gama-gama Ngamba Kanda Keting Bauh Bulu,
Jari Kanan Enggi Changop Mengkang Kiruk-kiruk Ngangat Ka Pelir Aki Baboo.
Nuan Tu Meh Iban Empangup Ke Nadai Bisi Perut Ngibun Empedu Malu,
Majak Digak-digak Makai Belalai Ngengangka Perut Nyayat Bansa Diri Empu,
Nuan Tu Meh Iban Nyadi Ikan Tuman Meruan Changop-changop Makai Anak Dalam Bubu,
Silap-silap, Pagila-lusa Diau Di Pedara Nyadi Engkaramba Digitang Di Mua Pintu..
I want to send flowers to blogger Seliong ak Wau.
Anybody out there kind enough to give me his address?
Ngena nuan Changop mantai ke penemu nuan, patut diberi ensumbar.
Nemu dek Mali Lebu survial for power.Anwar tu mekir ia kering lalu agi bemimpi nyadi orang kuat Umno lalu syndrome tu agi tebal dalam ati ia laban ia nemu nadai jalai bukai ia olih megai kuasa enti enda ari dalam UMNO.
Kita iban ukai species iban aku enda nemu ka di guna ia laban ka megai kuasa.
Dr. John Nemu orang bukai jako ngelabur enda nyemetak ko ia, tang laban ia kasih ka Anwar enda ia meda Anwar jako ngelabur.Because if you idolize that someone so much it’s hard for you to find any fault in him.So don’t be obsess with this believe especially in politic.
Dayak Undead ila nyadi TPM enti Anwar nyadi PM. Meramat Tajak laban ia neutral ko ia nyadi special ambasador ngagai UN laban he fought for everybody. Dr John will be publicity ministry in PM department.
Why BN will forever remain in power, unless it loses control of East Malaysia
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin, Monday, 22 June 2009 16:00
Umno Youth Must Ensure Sabah Remain BN’s “Fixed Deposit” – Salleh
PAPAR, June 22 (Bernama) — Sabah Umno Youth must play a vital role in ensuring that Sabah remained Barisan Nasional’s (BN) “fixed deposit” assets, said Sabah Umno deputy liaison chairman Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said.
The state Umno Youth have a major responsibility to play in ensuring the trust of the people, especially the youth, and also to ensure that the party remained relevant.
The former Chief Minister said in any organisation, only one leader can lead and administer and not two or more, so that the organisation can be a strong team.
“In an organisation there must be a leader with caliber so as to lead Umno’s struggles and strengthen the party. This is where Umno Youth can play a major role,” he told reporters after closing an Umno Youth workshop in Kinarut, near here Monday.
“Sabah youths must be inspired, innovative, knowledgeable and most importantly, brave to face the challenges ahead. If we remained with the old mindset, there won’t be any room to accept changes and that will be meaningless to the party’s struggle.”
Salleh who is also Kota Belud Umno division chief said Umno Youth must remain the pillars of the party, especially when facing uncertainty and challenges in politics and economy.
*************************************************
When Sabah and Sarawak teamed up with Malaya and Singapore to form Malaysia (yes, that’s right, Sabah and Sarawak did not JOIN Malaysia) it was with certain terms and conditions attached. Some may have heard of the 20-point agreement but not many may have actually read it. I suppose the same goes for the Merdeka agreement prior to independence in August 1957 or the ‘Social Contract’ that binds the very delicate fabric of Malaysian society.
This is probably the trouble with most Malaysians. They know certain words or phrases. They throw these words and phrases around. But not many know the concept behind these words or phrases. We have had the Look East Policy, the Buy British Last policy, Malaysia Incorporated, 1Malaysia, the New Economic Policy, Ketuanan Melayu, the ‘Social Contract’, and whatnot. We have all heard of them. But what do they all mean?
The 20-Point Agreement is another that many Malaysians can liberally quote but very few have actually read what it says. Even the police and Peninsular Malaysia politicians do not understand it. For example, if a Sabah politician were to say that the state should pull out of Malaysia and become the Independent Republic of Sabah, the federal leaders and the police would scream treason and rush over to Kota Kinabalu to arrest that Sabah politician under the Internal Security Act.
Is it treason? Or is it when Sabah and Sarawak teamed up with Malaya to form Malaysia it had been agreed that these two East Malaysian states could later leave the Federation of Malaysia if they find it untenable, but it must be done through a certain manner — like holding a Referendum first and successfully getting the minimum number of votes required?
No, it is not treason. It is provided for in the agreement when Sabah and Sarawak first sat down to discuss the possibility of forming a new country called Malaysia. The only thing is it must be done according to the method agreed upon. The Chief Minister can’t wake up one morning and just announce that Sabah is no longer part of Malaysia and is now an independent republic.
But will Umno allow Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia even if it is legally allowed? Would Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, again, be detained under the Internal Security Act if, again, he makes a statement saying that Sabah should leave Malaysia? The answer is ‘no’ to the first and ‘yes’ to the second. Umno will never allow Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia and they will certainly detain without trial anyone who suggests so.
Why are Sabah and Sarawak so important to Malaysia, other than the fact they have plenty of oil and other natural resources which we can plunder? Well, Sabah and Sarawak must at all times hold 25% of the total number of parliament seats. Currently, out of 222 parliament seats, East Malaysia has 56 — that is 31 from Sarawak and 25 from Sabah.
For all intents and purposes, Sabah and Sarawak hold the key to federal power and are the ‘Kingmakers’. Ever wonder why Barisan Nasional politicians regard Sabah and Sarawak as the ruling coalition’s ‘fixed deposit’? They are not ashamed of this and make no apologies for it. In fact, they brazenly say so openly.
In the last general election on 8 March 2008, the opposition — meaning DAP here — won just one parliament seat in Sabah and another in Sarawak. Barisan Nasional retained 54 seats in both states.
Nationwide, Barisan Nasional won 140 seats in total while the opposition won 82. But if we minus the 54 seats from East Malaysia, Barisan Nasional won only 86 seats against the opposition’s 80 (also if we minus the two DAP seats in Sabah and Sarawak). Now, however, since the Kuala Terengganu by-election, it is 85 Barisan Nasional versus 81 Pakatan Rakyat.
Can you see how crucial Sabah and Sarawak are to Barisan Nasional? In the next general election Barisan Nasional may win less seats than Pakatan Rakyat in Peninsular Malaysia. I would even dare bet that Pakatan Rakyat has a good chance of winning 95 seats against Barisan Nasional’s 71. This means Barisan Nasional needs to win at least 50 seats from Sabah and Sarawak to form the federal government with a minimum of 121 seats. That would give Barisan Nasional a nine-seat margin over the 112 required to form the federal government.
Nine seats is not a very large margin. But if Pakatan Rakyat increases its seats in Peninsular Malaysia from 81 to 95, then Barisan Nasional will need Sabah and Sarawak even more than before. However, Barisan Nasional will need to win at least 50 of the 56 seats in East Malaysia. If it wins only 40 seats instead of 50, then Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat would be locked in an ‘hung parliament’ with 111 seats each.
Not very good for political stability is it?
Changop,
Nya meh nuan ka empa ensumbar orang. Ringat mimit lalu ngeredingkang ka munuh bansa diri empu.
Uji pemerani nuan nya anjong kena munuh semoa bansa bukai di Sarawak tu enda ga manah, awak ka kitai Iban aja diau di Sarawak.
Uji pengering tulang nuan nya anjong nyadi ahli boxing, awak ka tau ngangkat ka nama kitai Iban di antara bangsa.
Uji pemintar nuan bai ngagai menoa luar ngaga bisnis nyadi millionaier,enda ga manah agi.
Changop, bado agi majak ka penemu mapap bakanya.
Iban Mind in Action
Something to learn and ponder here. Malay Agenda & a survival of Malay
supremacy. Dayak ??why we are what we are now..
we are in the same shoes. Agi ingat??
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….Igat Mali Lebu, uji gagaka nuan meh pejulok mensia ke agi idup agi ngelaban baka Aya Uban nya.