Locked-in syndrome

Although the average Malay is aware of much that goes on around him, his intransigence leads others to describe him as suffering from something like the "locked-in syndrome". In this disorder, the patient is unable to move or speak, because all of his muscles are paralysed and communication is limited to eye movements.

Many people perceive Malays to be mere observers, who do not want to take an active role in many decision-making processes, or engage in important issues.

The Malay has only himself to blame for his negative image. He has long toes, does not like to be criticised, and is easily offended. He hates taking instructions from others, especially from non-Malays and women. He thinks there is nothing wrong in humiliating women in public, but is outraged when he receives a dose of his own medicine.

Many Malay men use religion to control women, but many Malay women fail themselves with their reluctance to fight back. In Malaysia, it is not just civil law which is lacking; it is also syariah law which has failed many Malays, especially Malay women.

When it was suggested that Kartika Dewi Sukarno (left), who had been caught drinking beer, might be whipped, many Malaysians voiced their opposition to the punishment. The Malays told the non-Muslim Malaysians to stop interfering and that they should not ‘comment' on Islamic issues.

These same Malays then turned their venom on other Muslims who had sprung to Kartika's defence, by claiming that these concerned Malays did not have a degree in Islamic studies and were therefore, not qualified to comment.

What happened to compassion and civil law? We do not need a degree to have an opinion, when it involves discrimination.

What the Umno Malay says goes, and what he does is always right. Umno Malays act like they are God's mouth-piece, and are omniscient. Despite the violence they promote, it is the silence of other Malays which makes non-Malay Malaysians think that all Malays condone the actions of the Umno Malays.

Malays are reticent when it comes to discussing problems, especially in the early stages. They would rather bottle things up, and when they are unable to hold their emotions in check, run amok. There does not appear to be a middle line, nor an avenue for compromise.

Wearing religion on their sleeves

Today, more Malaysian Muslims appear to wear their religion on their sleeves, but this gesture appears to be purely symbolic. Malays look the other way, whilst their ignorant peers make fools of themselves in public. They allow the same people to bring Islam into disrepute.

They keep silent when their leaders are implicated in corruption scandals, abuse the trust placed in them, are involved in sexual liaisons, and when their children beat up strangers.

The same Malays will bore others with their leaders' ills in the privacy of their homes, but are happy to be seen to be photographed with the same corrupt leaders when receiving their "1Malaysia" certificate for doing "1Whatever".

Have Malays been reduced to grinning sycophants? Are they so shallow and cheap that the highlight of their lives is to receive a two ringgit signed photo of the prime minister? Have they lost all their values?

When small children learn to eat solids, their food is cut into bite-sized pieces. Do we have to spoon-feed the Malay in the art of collecting information, analysing it and making informed judgements?

A fair proportion of Malays who are fed-up with the "Malay locked-in syndrome" have joined the brain drain. Those who dared question the veracity of Umno's motives were denied promotions, loans, business and educational opportunities, the chance to bid on government projects and more.

Umno feels threatened by thinking and questioning Malays. Mentally-challenged Umno Malays feel superior when surrounded by "yes men".

The degree of brain-washing by Umno has reached critical levels, but when a Muslim cleric becomes involved in a scandal, Malays quake with fear. Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria continues to make a fool of himself and of Malaysian Muslims, when he declares that Muslims will become infidels if they allow non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah'.

Harussani caused a fracas in Silibin with his rumour about Malays being baptised, he told Malaysian Muslims not to wear football jerseys with the "red-devils" or crosses on them, and he banned the poco-poco dance.

It is hoped that with a change of government, more learned muftis will be chosen for Perak and all other states.

Umno Muslims losing their sense of direction

Harussani said "we must be united in defending our faith", whilst a fortnight ago, Johor Islamic Affairs Council adviser Nooh Gadut said that Muslims who allowed the word ‘Allah' to be used could be considered as apostates.

These Umno Muslims appeared to have lost their sense of direction. They should be united in their condemnation of the corruption and abuse of power by our leaders and VIPs.

The Crystal Crown Hotel in Petaling Jaya has been ordered by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to stop non-halal food from being carried in all three of its staff lifts. Recently, some non-Muslim restaurants were banned from serving Muslims. Today, it is lifts and food. What will be banned tomorrow? Umno Muslims are setting a very dangerous precedent.

By bringing in these seemingly petty constraints, Umno is racking up the pressure on Malays and gradually increasing the amount of control they exercise over them. Soon, Malays will have no physical or mental freedom. They will be slaves in their own land.

The recent disclosure, by the former Kota Raja Umno chief Amzah Umar, that Umno members had received preferential treatment when purchasing medium-cost apartments in Shah Alam, should ring alarm bells for Malaysians and non-Umno Malays.

This is probably the tip of the iceberg. It should make us think whether there are other areas in which bumiputeras and non-Umno Malays have been discriminated against. How long has this scandal been going on? Why did no one put a stop to it? Are there no measures to prevent such corrupt practices? Why was this scandal not detected sooner?

Umno's claims, that it is the only party which looks after the interest of the Malays, sound hollow. In reality, Malays are doomed by Umno.

Umno is happy to give "1Malaysia People's Aids" (BR1M) away now and again, because the cost of the "BR1M" is nothing, compared to the billions which Umno has stolen from the rakyat.

Why should Umno be allowed to continue after 56 years of failure? Bear in mind that miracles cannot happen overnight and Umno's destruction of the country may take more than five years to undo. However, the recovery of the hundreds of billions of ringgits that Umno politicians and their cronies have stolen would go a long way towards boosting the economy of the nation and reducing the national debt.

If the opposition wins, the new government will be able to invite election observers for GE14. This will prevent Umno from cheating again.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In 'real-speak', this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.