The saying that too many cooks spoil the broth comes to mind when one reads of the many racial sentiments being raised incessantly. It is sad that much 'bad blood' is being shed over an issue so delicate and sensitive like race.

However, unlike the above proverb, the many 'cooks' in Malaysia do not end up causing any damage. But these 'cooks' i.e. people of many different races have for a long time now gone on to give Malaysia that cutting edge, that uniqueness of being able to house various ethnic communities in a harmonious environment.

But today, almost five decades after having gained independence, the nation's sense of identity is being threatened by the rise of racial sentiments, all purportedly in defense of the country's 'elite' race, the Malays.

It just seems wasted that much effort and precious time is being spent harping on issues created by individuals for their vested interest. There is much talk of democracy and how Malaysians have the freedom to voice out their grievances. Yet when these grouses are raised, no time is lost in threatening the people to keep a lid on their dissatisfaction.

The fact that Malay is the 'superior' race in the country has long been accepted by the Indians and Chinese. There has been no questioning the rights inherited by the Malays by virtue of being the dominant group of this nation.

Yet, again and again, we read and hear of the threats issued by Malay leaders to people of other races to not question the rights and privileges enjoyed by the former. Is this what democracy is all about?

Strangely, the controversy concerning racial sentiments has never come from the Indians or the Chinese, but from the Malays themselves. The insecurity of losing the rights and privileges have prompted the dominant race to take all 'precaution' in safeguarding them. In the process of doing so, they make the Indians and Chinese scapegoats in rationalising and justifying the need for Malay rights to be protected.

In this regard, should the other races retaliate in defense, who then is to be blamed for the chaos that stands to erupt? What happened to the spirit of love that was once the backbone of this nation?

Splitting the people

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin's recent remark that Umno will continue to fight for the interest of the Malays and will not apologise for being a race-based party says it all. His misplaced arrogance in trying to champion the cause of the Malays is not going to guarantee him prime ministership someday.
Perhaps his many years living and studying abroad have not helped Khairy understand the roots of the true Malaysia and what it means to be a Malaysian.

The premier's son-in-law recently came under fire when he said that the Chinese would take advantage if the Malays are weak. Khairy quickly added that the MCA and MIC will also not apologise for being a race-based party. His racist sentiments are good enough reasons for the Chinese and Indians to worry about their fate should the day arrive when the leadership of the nation falls into his hands.

It is heartbreaking to see youngsters like Khairy splitting the people of Malaysia under the pretext of protecting the interests of the Malays. Khairy is no example of how a fine Malaysian should be. Who is he to make such provoking remarks? Does being the son-in-law of the prime minister give him the licence to shoot his mouth off wherever and whenever he pleases?

To openly condemn the other races is not the workings of a true Malaysian. As much as Khairy is willing to die for Umno, the party alone would not have been able to secure freedom for Malaysia. It was through a tripartite effort that independence finally became ours. But Khairy appears least interested in this chapter of Malaysian history.

Raising the keris

Equally racist is Umno Youth head honcho Hishammuddin Hussein whose only solace being a Malay is the keris, a traditional dagger.

At this year's Umno general assembly Hishammuddin brandished the keris prompting Umno Perlis delegate Hashim Suboh to ask when he would use the weapon.

This shenanigan earned the curse of prominent lawyer and DAP chairperson Karpal Singh who described this act as another attempt to use the keris as a "weapon of offense".

Hishammudin should stop intimidating the people of Malaysia through the use of such a weapon and stop making a mockery of himself in the eyes of Malaysians and foreigners.

There are matured ways to deal with issues, and brandishing the keris is definitely not one of them.

Malaysians know that democracy only exist in theory in this country. Our so called 'leaders' like Hishammuddin, Khairy and Umno deputy president Najib Abdul Razak have ensured that the people are only told what they need to know and nothing beyond. Too often the intelligence of the average Malaysian is insulted through half-baked thoughts from these 'leaders'.

In Najib's case, he thinks it is best that the Umno general assembly proceedings never again be televised live. The deputy prime minister said the live screening was not appropriate because it received distorted views and some speeches regarded as extremists were giving Umno a bad name.

In this regard, would Khairy's remarks of Umno being a race-based party with vested interest not constitute as extremist? What about Hishammuddin's subtle threat and obvious intimidation by carrying the keris?

Umno supreme council member Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on all Malaysians to heed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's message at the Umno meet, which is not to be extremists. However, this should apply to the nation's leaders first.

To constantly use race and religion as an excuse to remind the Indians and Chinese to never discuss anything to do with Islam and the Malay rights is certainly not how a democratic country works.

JJ RAY started her career with a mainstream publication. A non-conformist, she soon saw the barriers that went up whenever, through her writing, she tried to make the world a home for one and all.