Prevent Malay rights from abuse
K Balan<br>Kuala LumpurPublished: Jan 3, 2001 8:12 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
I believe I represent the views of moderate laymen (especially those born after Merdeka) with regard to the controversial issue of Malay rights.
[/#1]Suqiu's appeals[/#] and GPMS' outrageous counter claims reflect the state of unhappiness among all races with the current situation in the country. The prime minister has on many occasions said that not everyone gets what he or she wants in this country and that it is good that all communities have something to complain as opposed to having one community satisfied and the rest not.
Suqiu's appeals are reasonable and universal; however, they are applicable and achievable in every other country except Malaysia where the Bumiputra are accorded special rights and privileges as provided for in the Constitution and agreed upon by other races during Merdeka.
If we look at the situation before and during Merdeka, it is true that Malays were lagging behind the Chinese and some Indians in all aspects as a result of the British's divide and rule policy. If meritocracy was applied then, other communities would have surged ahead of the Malays and the Malays would have been left poor and helpless.
Now, 43 years has since passed, the Malays are still lagging behind despite all the special rights and privileges being continued till today. The New Economic Policy has failed to lift the Malays to be on par with other races, especially the Chinese. The Indians' per capita income may be higher than the Malays', but there are still many Indians living below the poverty level.
Who or what is to blame for the Malays' failure to catch up with the others? The government, the Malays, other races (for surging ahead too fast), globalisation, economic crises or foreign speculators?
The government, while continuing with all programmes designed to assist Bumiputras, should also consider reviewing some aspects of the underlying policy that has been abused by some people, causing great dissatisfaction among the non-Malays.
For example, transportation permits allocated to Malays are later "rented" out to non-Malays for a fee. This Ali-Baba practice, widespread in almost every economic sector, is not the way to help Malays.
The same goes to privatisation projects and government contracts which are given to Malays only to see them getting bailed out later due to poor company management and abuse of power.
One major aspect that requires a review is entry to universities. The quality of education has deteriorated due to the entry of students without due regard for merit. No wonder none of the country's universities is among best in Asia.
The government has to review and redesign programmes to assist the Malays, which should result in their possessing the skills, knowledge and resources to be self-sufficient and having confidence of their own abilities rather than depending on the government for everything.
Constant monitoring of Bumiputra assistance programmes must be initiated in order to prevent abuse and to achieve its original intention, that of uplifting the Malays to be on par with other races in all aspects.
[/#1]Suqiu's appeals[/#] and GPMS' outrageous counter claims reflect the state of unhappiness among all races with the current situation in the country. The prime minister has on many occasions said that not everyone gets what he or she wants in this country and that it is good that all communities have something to complain as opposed to having one community satisfied and the rest not.
Suqiu's appeals are reasonable and universal; however, they are applicable and achievable in every other country except Malaysia where the Bumiputra are accorded special rights and privileges as provided for in the Constitution and agreed upon by other races during Merdeka.
If we look at the situation before and during Merdeka, it is true that Malays were lagging behind the Chinese and some Indians in all aspects as a result of the British's divide and rule policy. If meritocracy was applied then, other communities would have surged ahead of the Malays and the Malays would have been left poor and helpless.
Now, 43 years has since passed, the Malays are still lagging behind despite all the special rights and privileges being continued till today. The New Economic Policy has failed to lift the Malays to be on par with other races, especially the Chinese. The Indians' per capita income may be higher than the Malays', but there are still many Indians living below the poverty level.
Who or what is to blame for the Malays' failure to catch up with the others? The government, the Malays, other races (for surging ahead too fast), globalisation, economic crises or foreign speculators?
The government, while continuing with all programmes designed to assist Bumiputras, should also consider reviewing some aspects of the underlying policy that has been abused by some people, causing great dissatisfaction among the non-Malays.
For example, transportation permits allocated to Malays are later "rented" out to non-Malays for a fee. This Ali-Baba practice, widespread in almost every economic sector, is not the way to help Malays.
The same goes to privatisation projects and government contracts which are given to Malays only to see them getting bailed out later due to poor company management and abuse of power.
One major aspect that requires a review is entry to universities. The quality of education has deteriorated due to the entry of students without due regard for merit. No wonder none of the country's universities is among best in Asia.
The government has to review and redesign programmes to assist the Malays, which should result in their possessing the skills, knowledge and resources to be self-sufficient and having confidence of their own abilities rather than depending on the government for everything.
Constant monitoring of Bumiputra assistance programmes must be initiated in order to prevent abuse and to achieve its original intention, that of uplifting the Malays to be on par with other races in all aspects.
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