“Marilah kita hidup atau mati sekarang” PDF Print E-mail
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Sunday, 15 March 2009 13:28
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Folded into our experience of the night of May 13, 1969, was there not the glue that binds all of us with the message that we must love each other or die?
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
My early education was in the Alice Smith School at Bellamy Road in Kuala Lumpur. For those not familiar with early KL, that is behind the Dewan Bahasa near the Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara. The Alice Smith School was a school for the children of British expatriates. There were probably only three Asians in that entire school. The other two were one Chinese boy, who I can’t remember what his name was, and a girl named Sarah Chin -- my first ‘girlfriend’ of sorts, although she didn’t give any indication that she knew I even existed (so it was actually a one-way ‘relationship’ in that sense).
The Alice Smith School was only up to Standard Five -- so I was transferred to the Meru Road Primary School in Klang for my Standard Six. I did a short stint (about a month or so) in the Meru Road High School, also in Klang, after which I was sent to the Malay Colllege Kuala Kangsar from 1963 to 1965.
I could not stand the all-Malay environment -- a sort of culture shock after almost seven years in an all-English school -- and in 1965, during my Form Three, I asked to be transferred back to a ‘normal’ school. My father sent me to the Victoria Institution where I remained until my Form Five in 1967. The fact that I did not speak Malay well and was constantly subjected to ragging -- they called me ‘Mat Salleh Celup’ -- made life in MCKK most intolerable indeed. I never mixed with anyone and hardly had any friends other than ‘Manan Cina’, a most Chinese-looking Malay whose father was in the Terendak Camp in Melaka.
In the V.I., I felt more at home. My ‘best’ friends were Rajadurai (whom we called ‘Tengku’, since he was a ‘Raja’), Yim Seng, Yong Boon, Onn, Azizul, Karim, and about half a dozen other Malays, Chinese and Indians. The beauty about all these friends was they were not my Malay, Indian or Chinese friends. It did not occur to me (or to any of the others for that matter) that they were my Malay, Chinese and Indian friends. They were just ‘my friends’. In short, we were absolutely and thoroughly ‘colour-blind’,
But that was in the 1960s. Then, in 1969, we suddenly realised that there was a difference after all. We no longer had ‘just friends’. We had Malay, Chinese and Indian friends. Eventually, we drifted apart. I heard Rajadurai was murdered. I was beside Onn’s deathbed as he gasped his last breath. I don’t know what happened to Yim Seng, Yong Boon, Azizul and Karim. And I can’t even remember the names of the half a dozen or so other Malay, Chinese and Indian friends.
And this is most sad. It troubles me to this very day that these friends of mine are no longer part of my life, and I no longer part of theirs. We were once so close. We were closer than brothers. Now, they are faint memories of what could be equated as ships passing in the night.
What has this country done to us? What happened in 1969 that divided us so? What did not matter back in the 1960s is considered ever so important today.
This country has failed us. The politicians of today have turned the clock back and have destroyed what took many years to build. The destruction is so bad that in our lifetime we shall never see the country restored to what it was. It may never be restored even by the next generation.
I no longer see any hope for Malaysia. It will take a miracle to again see what we saw back in the 1960s. Today, Malaysia is all about the colour of your skin. Your break in life depends on which womb you happen to have come out from. Why must your future ride on the throw of the dice? Why must fate play a cruel game of chance while what lies before you relates to which family you were born into?
Malaysia needs a paradigm shift. But this shift can only occur if all want it to happen. It takes two hands to clap. And the way forward must be to bury the past and not play the blame-game. All are to blame for 1969. No one person or one community caused this. Just as it takes two hands to clap to see this paradigm shift that we so greatly need, it also took two hands to clap for what happened in 1969.
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The glue that binds us
Dato' Mahadev Shankar
May 13, 1969 is nearly forty years behind us. What day of the week was it? Alas I cannot now remember! Perhaps it was a Friday? Friday the 13th has always had such an ominous ring to it! It was certainly before Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (the former prime minister) set our clocks back half an hour and thus took centre stage in our psyche. Of that I am sure.
As sure as I am that in 1969 with our Bapa Merdeka, Tunku Abdul Rahman as Prime Minister before he was deposed, we rose at sunrise and retired at sundown. May 13th 1969 marked a turning point in the history of our nation.
I had finished with the Fitzpatrick case at Court Hill, and made an uneventful return home a little earlier than I should. My wife and children were out somewhere in town and got back just before sunset.
By twilight, all hell had broken loose.
The shouting of a mob in full flow seemed to be coming from the junction of Princess Road (now Jalan Raja Muda) and Circular Road (later Jalan Pekeliling and now Jalan Tun Abdul Razak), which was less than half a mile from our house on the corner of Jalan Gurney Dua and Satu. We were well within earshot of the commotion.
I was then out on our badminton court with my wife and children when I saw a young Malay, face ravaged with shock as he ran past us, intermittently stopping to catch his breath and then run on. The panic he radiated was very contagious.
A few moments later, my neighbour Tuan Haji Ahmad shouted from across the road that a riot was in progress at the Princess Road junction and that we should immediately get back indoors.
Soon afterwards as the darkness set in, we saw red tongues of flame crowned with black smoke go up from the direction of Dato Keramat. From town there was a red glow in the sky of fires burning. The acrid smell of smoke was coming from everywhere. More to the point, the very air around us seemed to be shivering with terror. Fearing the worst, we locked ourselves in and huddled around the TV set.
Then I heard this high pitched wail. It was a female voice in distress - "Tolong, buka pintu, tolong. buka pintu!" (Please open the door!). A diminutive woman, with a babe in arms, was desperately yelling for shelter, obviously not having had much luck with the houses nearer the Gurney Road junction.
Without a second thought, I ran out, unlocked the gate and let her in. She was wide-eyed with terror and the baby was bawling away. The sheer relief seemed to have silenced her and she was not registering my questions. And she was not talking.
Once inside, she slunk into a corner in our dining room and just sat there huddled with her baby, not looking at us but facing the wall. It was now evident that she was Chinese, spoke no English, and was quite unwilling to engage in any conversation except to plead in bazaar Malay that she would give us no trouble and that she would leave the next day. Our attention soon shifted from her to the TV set.
A very distraught Tunku Abdul Rahman, came on to tell us that a curfew had to be declared because of racial riots between the Malays and the Chinese, caused by the over-exuberance of some elements celebrating their election victories, and gave brief details of irresponsible provocations, skirmishes, and fatalities. He stressed the need for calm whilst the security services restored law and order. Well do I remember his parting words to us that night,
“Marilah kita hidup atau mati sekarang.” (Let us choose to live or die now.)
As my attention once again shifted to the tiny woman and her tinier baby, let me confess to my shame, that the thought crossed my mind that living in a predominantly Malay area, I had now put my whole family in peril by harbouring this Chinese woman. It was manifestly evident from the TV broadcasts that her race had become the target of blind racial hatred.
It was an ignoble thought I immediately suppressed as unworthy of any human being. She, too, had been watching the TV and perhaps even more intently was watching me, and must have seen the dark clouds as they gathered around my visage.
None of us were in the mood to eat anything. We all just sat and waited and waited and waited, not knowing quite what to expect. Hours later there was a loud banging at our gate accompanied by a male voice shouting.
I realised then my moment of truth had finally arrived. I asked my cook Muthu, a true hero, if ever there was one to accompany me to the gate. In that half-light, I saw the most enormous Malay man I ever set my eyes on.
With great trepidation I asked him what he wanted. “You have got my wife and child in your house and I have come for them,” he said in English.
Still suspicious I asked him, “Before I say anything, can you describe your wife?”
“Yes, yes, I know you ask because I am a Malay. My wife is Chinese and she is very small and my baby is only a few months old. Can I now please come in?”
I immediately unlocked the gate. In he came and we witnessed the most touching family reunion. He thanked us profusely and without further ado they were on their way. In the excitement we did not ask his name or address.
What next?
I saw where my duty lay and immediately called the Emergency telephone number to volunteer for relief duty. An armoured car appeared the next morning. I was taken to Federal House and assigned to assist the late Tun Khir Johari (as he subsequently became) and the late Tan Sri Manikavasagam.
Our task initially was to transport and resettle the refugees into the Merdeka Stadium and thence into the low cost municipal flats in Jalan Ipoh. We then tied up with Dato Ruby Lee of the Red Cross to locate missing persons and supply emergency food rations to the displaced. Some semblance of law and order was restored and the town slowly came back to life.
If that baby who sheltered in our house that fateful night has survived life’s vicissitudes, he would be 38 years old today.
All the ethnic races, which compose our lucky nation, were fully represented in our house that evening when the Almighty brought us together for a short while. With our 50th Merdeka anniversary fast approaching, and our hopes for racial unity so much in the forefront of our minds, may I leave it to my readers to ask themselves whether there is a pointer here for all of us. Folded into our experience of the night of May 13, 1969, was there not the glue that binds all of us with the message that we must love each other or die?
May 13, 2007
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Dato’ Mahadev Shankar joined the Victoria Institution (V.I.) after the war from Pasar Road School and was active in debating and in drama. Indeed, he was the first president of the V.I. Dramatics Society, a successor to the long-dormant VIMADS (V.I. Musical and Dramatic Society) of the 1920s. He is well remembered for his title role as Antonio in the Society's first major production, Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, which played to packed houses for five nights in August 1952.
He was also the V.I. Rodger Scholar of 1951.
Dato' Shankar is a barrister of the Inner Temple London and was enrolled as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court Malaya in 1956. Thereafter he practised law in Shearn Delamore and Company, Kuala Lumpur, till 1983 when he was appointed Judge of the High Court of West Malaysia. He served in Johor, the Federal Capital, and in Selangor till 1994 when he was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
During his career as a lawyer he served on the Board of Several Public Companies including Malaysian Airlines System. He was the advisor to the New Straits Times Group on libel laws and the resident representative of the Medical Defence Union.
He has also represented Malaysia on several international conferences on a variety of legal subjects. These included Intellectual Property laws in Sydney 1984, Canberra 1987, New Delhi 1995 and Tokyo 1997, and Kanchanaburi Thailand in 1998, Price Variation and Escalation clauses in International contracts at the Singapore Business Laws Conference, and the Right to a Fair Trial in Heidelberg 1996 as well as conferences on Aviation Laws in Dallas 1979, New York 1981, and Taipei in 1990.
Apart from the hundreds of Judgements he has delivered during his tenure as a judge he also served as a Royal Commissioner on two national inquiries and was the Advisory Editor for Halsbury’ Laws of Malaysia on Civil Procedure.
With specific reference to Arbitration, whilst in practice he has acted as an Arbitrator in the Whitley Council to revise the Wage Structure of the Postal Department of Malaysia, in labour disputes on the first Industrial Arbitration Tribunal, and in private arbitrations in disputes between dissenting partners in legal firms. He delivered the judgement of the Court of Appeal on the inviolabilty of the awards of the Regional Centre from Judicial review.
Dato' Mahadev Shankar retired as a Judge of the Court of Appeal Malaysia in November 1997.
Since his retirement from the Judiciary he has acted as an Arbitrator in a corporate dispute between joint venture partners on severance terms, a major dispute between the Owner and Main contractor in one of Kuala Lumpur’s prime building projects. The ongoing arbitrations in which he is now involved include a construction dispute in East Malaysia, and a dispute between two corporate conglomerates on the enforceablity of put options.
He is currently a legal consultant in Zaid Ibrahim and Company, a law firm in Kuala Lumpur.
In April 2000 Dato' Shankar was appointed a Member of the Human Rights Commission Of Malaysia for a term of two years.
Comments (35)Add Comment
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written by Tompios, March 15, 2009 14:03:53
Tengku RPK,
Paradigm!! Only secular mind setting can change one mind setting. Religion indeed an opium. Karl Mark's idea is correct about religion binti opium. Anyway, in Malaysia setting, we cannot change the Quran to secular Quran. Quran is foundation on Malay Rights!!
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written by AO Musa, March 15, 2009 14:25:03
Dear RPK,
I'm an Indian Arab mix but look more Indian than Arab (since our Arab ancestor are from Yemen). I really agreed with you because I remember when I was in primary school I had multiracial friends whom we always share our pack of lunch together. We will make one circle and share each others food. Those are the great days in our life.
What happened today, my daughter was outcast by her friends in her Quran class just because she have darker skin than malay (since she was the only non Malay in the class). One of her friend told my daughter that her parents dont allow her to friend with my daughter because she is an Indian. Surprisingly, this parents are around my age where we learned how to live together with other races.
You are right RPK... Malaysia is no longer what she was before....
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written by Fuminari, March 15, 2009 14:38:55
umno hav not even learned the first lesson on 'what is democracy'!
they hav not learned 'how to be a good loser'!
who started May 13th,1969 n why????
who hav been weaving the hoodwink curtain to achieve racial divides n why??
it is selfish greed for power!!!
racism is umno kit of survival,when bangsa malaysia is here,umno would be gone.
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written by timmy, March 15, 2009 14:59:45
We want change. But first we have to remove the most evil from the leadership.
Support the unity government idea to:
1. Prevent Najib from taking the grand prize easily, we have to give a fight.
2. Prevent the so-called God's wish of the lady who thinks she is going to be the first lady.
3. Prevent the lady to be the real PM from the background.
4. Prevent ISA to be used on RPK and others.
5. Save Hindraf.
Unity government, an alliance of PR MPs and 30 BN MPs can help to achieve this, in order for a better PM to take over Malaysia. Let's not go down without a fight.
If UMNO dares to open up the votes from the ground, I truly believe Tengku Razaleigh will win hands down. The 192 branch leaders's choice can't represent us the rakyat in millions choice of Prime Minister.
My wish of grand prize is Tengku Razaleigh to be next PM in this unity government. Second prize will be Pak Lah to stay on. PR, without the majority in Parliament, I afraid you just can't lead now, but make good use of the opportunity to stop the "nightmare" from happening.
The unity government is our only chance, unless we are willing to sit quietly for 3 years under Rosmah and Najib.
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written by malgal, March 15, 2009 15:08:14
then it's time we healed the rifts driven between malaysians of different races and religions.
how could we promote multi cultural setting to tourists in multi million ringgit campaigns and on homeground divide us?
time we get on and be wised up about what being malaysian is all about and re-set our formula of celebrating the differences and uniting under one banner. and guys, you all know what that is...
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written by Oscar Winner, March 15, 2009 15:20:48
It's indeed a sad, sad situation. I dread to think of what the future will hold for my future generations if these arrogant goons continue to rule. More so when I hear they keep repeating these words "untuk Agama, Bangsa dan ....", using race and religion to gain political ground, when in actual fact all bangsa are not given level playing field. Let's hope those folks who have been misled will wake up one day and join hands for the goons' ouster, then we will see better racial integration
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written by temanmu, March 15, 2009 15:23:36
The impatient Tun Abd Razak was a co-perpetrator of May 13, 1969 and now the son is trying to engineer one new one!
UMNO is the cause of such polarization.
In Singapore, there is less polarization... they had the courage to battle the powerful Chinese-chauvinist educationists to create a unified educational system instead of a race-based one (in a Chinese-majority country mind-you).
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written by StevenO, March 15, 2009 15:30:47
For a start, there should be a Royal Commission to dig out the truth, nothing but the whole truth about what actually happened!!
Don't want to have lowlifes being remembered as National heroes. Then can we begin the process of reconciliation.
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written by Steven Tan, March 15, 2009 15:37:28
If anyone want to know this is the secret of success from the "DIVIDE AND RULE" concept. In 60's the politicians were a genuine leader where their intention was mainly to develop the nation and its people BUT after 1969, the politician slowly turn to become an evil where their intention already one POWER and $$$.
So they use the secret formula which is DIVIDE AND RULE to achieve their gold. They've used 2 nuclear bomb a)RACE b)RELIGION to currupt the mind of the ordinary citizen and "provoked" them. For for outside world to see, they will should National Integration, Peace and Harmony but deep in their heart, they never want this to happen.
To bad for the ordinary Malaysian, their (the politicians) formula worked perfectly and as a result as mention by RPK, " we suddenly realised that there was a difference after all. We no longer had ‘just friends’. We had Malay, Chinese and Indian friends". So this was the "Deep Impact" from the formula tested by the politicians after 1969 and the "SIDE IMPACT" is what we are experiencing now.
Politician is always Politician. So, now the responsibility is on our shoulder. It's either we change it or remain with it. The future of our children regardless of their race are in our hands. If we want our kids to be like how RPK lived before 1969, we, Malaysians have to gather our hands and put a full stop for all the nonsense issues played by the dirty politicians. We already half way through it so please make sure we successfully complete our journey to create a nation where our next generation regardless or their race will live peacefully.
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written by cheemengwong, March 15, 2009 15:46:01
Dear RPK,
We cherished those days where politicians do not use race to divide and rule. My good friends in Dato Hamzah school those days are a mix of Indian, Malays and Chinese. My friends were Abu Hassan, Affendi, Thirumaran, Beng Kiat, Abdullah, Ah wong and all. Even Malay girls were our friends. I use to sit beside a Malay girl who was weak in Maths and use to teach her all the time. There was good looking malay girl we use to have tuition at her home in Port klang Customs village house.
What went wrong? We passed our Form Five and move to Form Six. Reality sets in when Chinese and Indian boys who do well cannot be admitted to local universities. We were left alone to fend for ourself without any government help whereas the poorly fared Malay boys and girs were given scholarship to study overseas and locally.
We became polarized till today.
The other day I met my old classmate in Maybank where she is the head of a department. I was glad to see her and extended my hand for a handshake and she declined!
There were days due to our ignorance and innocence where I would go camping with my classmates and offered them our canned food from China not knowing they were not "halal".We ate and there were not issues.
I even went to jerat burung terkukur with a Pak Haji and shared my bread and drinks with him. No issues. Can I do that today?
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written by mikefonz, March 15, 2009 16:10:09
I remembered when I was the 1st batch of students in Sekolah Rendah University @ PJ
and now known as SRK Sri Petaling. It was in year 1969. I had alot of malays, chinese and indian friends then. I remembered the May 13 incident. Then for some reasons, they had Malay medium classes for a group of students for which they teaches everything in Malay and Jawi. So we had classes like Std. 3 Blue and 3 Biru. That's when they start to have this segregation in schools. As a child then I was confused. Now we all know.
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written by truthbespoken, March 15, 2009 16:13:46
Knowledge and understanding starts with education. Ever since our education system and the medium of instruction in the country were changed after 513, the nation has been going downhill steadily in terms of race relations. The political landscape has also gotten from bad to worse with issues of religion and race dominating our everyday lives.
Yes, it's unlikely we can revisit and witness the good old friendly Malaysian days of the sixties again. This memory will also forever fade away from the country with the entry of the next generation of Malaysians. The new generation will no longer be guided by those who have been there and felt the real beauty of racial harmony in such a wonderful country.
At this critical juncture, it is my earnest hope that the course of the nation can be changed for the better. Otherwise, many of us can only languish with our memories and feel sorry for the future of Malaysia and Malaysians.
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written by amjoem, March 15, 2009 16:48:24
UMNO leaders from the 80s destroyed the racial unity that existed then. Most of the destruction of religious and racial unity and oneness that were built through The Tengku, Tun Sambanthan, Tun Tan Siew Sin, Tun Khir Johari etc from the 1950s & 1960s
were destroyed by the gang of UMNO leaders from the 1980s to the present. However, it is really sickening to realise that the present corp of the UMNO leaders are the worse. We have to get rid of the UMNO/BN Governments, at the centre and from all the states as well.
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written by imanj, March 15, 2009 17:21:19
It would certainly help,if we start learning ourselves and teaching our children,how to adapt in a soceity with many races,cultures,traditions,religions and language.
Where the understanding that cultures and traditions are recognised,welcomed with it's colourful ambiance,but it's not necessary to impose or expect others to adopt our different cultures or traditions amongst each other leaving no one race or religion offended.
In the ever growing business world,a more classy image,with good moral etiquettes, should be adopted.Malaysians should speak and converse well,when in public address people appropriately,too casual an approach leads to others taking things for granted.Knowlegde and Language are important tools in imparting the right information.
What good memories most Malaysian had,could still be a strong factor to turn this country around.It would begin with us,to help each other do better,with our own better understanding of race/religion/culture/tradition/language and know where or when to draw the line in respect for each other.
At the same time we must all be open-hearted to want to see and accept the better memories of others,and be of a clear consecience,that we had done right by ourselves and by our fellow Malaysians.
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written by Abdul Haq, March 15, 2009 17:34:37
The first thing that a Pakatan Rakyat Federal government should do is get rid of the Biro Tata Negara which is a racist and ultra Malay propaganda outfit!!
Every Malay student and now even new entrants to government service and GLCs are required to be brain washed on Malay dominance...!
The next thing that the PR should do is clean up the judiciary, police and MACC!!
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written by chiongguo, March 15, 2009 18:12:28
Unity government is a very good idea to move the country forward but this unity government must have ministers from pakatan rakyat. Please no more clowns the like of baldy and rais.
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written by arazak, March 15, 2009 18:51:44
UMNO could not accept unity among races in Malaysia. They still think this country belong to them. , and only them!
All the wealth in this nation also belong to them. Their money is their money, other peoples' money is also their money. They can steal your money anytime they wish. Even the clothes on the back of the people are also are theirs.
That is why 80% income-tax are paid by non-Malays to support these UMNOs. I am a Malay, but I am ashmed of their gross injustice!
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written by johntyc, March 15, 2009 18:58:21
Even if we're willing to change for the better, do you think that the most dominant party of the country will allow it? No! It will sabotage our efforts at all cost. The only way to change is to bring that dominant party and it's less dominant partners down at all cost!
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written by gorshan, March 15, 2009 19:21:34
is it inevitable that we are doomed to create our very own version of India/Pakistan in Malaysia? Go forbids so but i gets uneasy feelings. Pakatan Rakyat must seize all initiatives to form the federal govt as soon as possible to save Malaysia from the evil clutches of hatred and racism.
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written by apa jadi, March 15, 2009 19:56:26
Well, we can have a million cherishes and reminisces, till old age comes. Politicians continue to propel through the divide and rule policies. Investors divest themselves from a land they once found ease living in. Yet, politicians are still trying to exert their dominance of one over the other even when they are stuck in a quagmire of economic decline. Yes, divide and sub-divide, till the days when they are submersed under the surface of the mud, they will still fight to their last drop of dominance.
To RPK, and all who cherish the good old colourless days. Reminisces remain fond memories to be cherished with till we disappear from the surface of the earth if none of us are willing to take a step back accommodating the others. When the cows come home, we are still cherishing the good old days.
I used to have Malay and Chinese friends. We swam naked in the river. We witnessed the Malay boys circumcision ceremonies. We fought each other based on groups, not race. We had truces after the fights....But all these friends of mine got segregated by the politicians and we unknowingly became part of the whole segregation process.
We now do not shake hands to each others. Teachers telling some children not to mix with some "pariahs". Food exchanges not allowed. The kids are civilised enough that they don't swim naked in rivers anymore, the kids not even knowing their neighbours,preferences in government sectors, lunch with a Muslim in a group becomes a hassle,Malacca Babas are either more Chinese or Malay but not Babas anymore.....where are we heading???
Can we reverse the trend?? How much of efforts is required?? PONDER!
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written by JaguhKampung, March 15, 2009 20:02:31
Sad but it may be a irreversible thing. As the majority who is also running the country, they are setting policies that will further increase their majority. The minority will get smaller and smaller as time goes, until a time when voices like RPK will never exist.
The majority will always win when they pass laws or policies that favours themselves because they have the majority of votes. And within them, only the ultras can go up, they must play to the gallery to win support and to move up. It will become more and more extreme.
The majority views the minorities as a threat because the minorities seemed to be more competitive in many fields, especially economy. To the extent that a lot in the majorities think that it was because of their inferior genes. But they failed to understand that we are all the same. It is human nature and basic survival instinct. The less you have, the more insecure you are, you tend to work harder to overcome your weaknesses or shortfall.
This can be seen in many small countries without natural resources but have successful economies. Because of their lack of natural resources, they have to work hard to build a strong economy. In the end, they seemed to be more successful than us.
Malaysia has been doing well in the past but of late, especially the last 10 years, we seemed to be going in reverse gear. Thanks to this group called UMNO.
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written by educationist, March 15, 2009 20:12:24
I was in Primary 6 at an English school in 1969 at KL then went on to an English Secondary school.
We had drifted apart, nearly all the friends of that carefree time and era, one reason been I'm working away from KL for almost 28 years now.
But one aspect , I recalled well as did so many others here, until I was doing my Form 6 I did not realise my friends are of different races.
Yes, I agree with RPK, I do not think within our lifetime can we hope a significant change in the racial relationship especially if the uMNOputras continue to rule.
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written by roggon, March 15, 2009 20:51:07
abdul razak and harun idris : may u burn in hell for what you did to the people on May 13,1969.
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written by Awaken64, March 15, 2009 21:52:21
Nothing beats the good ole days!!!!
We have to understand that everything changes.... UMNO to will become a dinosaur...
Karl Marx mentioned this in terms of thesis leading to anti thesis and finally creating synthesis. This cycle keeps evolving so synthesis to will become the other. So much for a communist ideology.
However the Buddhist too have known this much earlier called the dependent origination, the one who understands this knows the purpose of existence.
Malaysia is not bad it is US THE RAKYAT that needs to change our mindset to shun the proliferation of political dogmas, corporate greed and vested interest.
All of us are culprits of a greater or lesser misdeed. TRY SHOWING LOVE TO EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER WITHOUT PREJUDICE. The universe will return your own efforts tenfold.
Don't follow the evil or those with loose morals. Be spiritually ahead of all smaller association from religion to politics, race, culture and association. MALAYSIA is what we make it to be!!!
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written by raven1958, March 16, 2009 00:35:41
Aiyaa....bring back English as medium of instruction in schools and you will have one race, no more Malay, Chinese and Indian and the good ole days again....you dont need to be Einstein to know that......Now...who is going to get this done ....the BN or PR....
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written by Limang, March 16, 2009 00:36:46
Let me give my 2 cents worth of opinion:
As long as Malaysia is ruled by UMNO with its racial and religious bigotry and misguided supremacy, Malaysia is doomed and I will also have no hope for its future. No country today ruled by a Muslim government is stable, progressive or successful. Most are moving towards anarchy and failed state. Muslims will do well to ponder why this situation is so even though they claimed that Islam is the most progressive and tolerant religion whilst the reality is the total opposite. It is highly discriminatory, prejudicial and with the law of the jungle as the sign of their rule. If what they claimed is true, why is no one migrating to a Muslim country but everyone is migrating to a Western country, where there is a separation of Church and state and the is no discrimination whatsoever, but so blatantluy pracised in ALL MUSLIM COUNTIRES!
However, I have one optimism: that we can still save Malaysia and build it into a wonderful home for everyone without discrimination, prejudice or misrule and a progressive and prosperous country AS LONG AS WE GET RID OF EVIL, CORRUPTED AND MORALLY-BANKRUPT UMNO AND THE STUPID POLICY OF MALAY SUPREMACY, ISLAM AS THE ONLY OFFOCIAL RELIGION AND A SEPARATION OF STATE AND RELIGION!
If not, the current oppressive rule, the law of the jungle adminsitration, the whatever UMNO-do-is-right situation even though it is clearly wrong, the hypocrisy of the UMNO leaders calling for others to be prosecuted when they are the cause of the fall of the sultans' eminent position, etc, will continue UNTIL ALL MALAYS WAKE UP AND REALIZE THEIR MISTAKE IN SUPPORTING AN EVIL PARTY THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THEIR HUMILIATION AND DOWNFALL.
In the meantime, I am packing my bag, ready to leave this collapsing country any time.
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written by DontPlayGod, March 16, 2009 01:04:52
I put our nations disunity of the races to UMNO's "good" work since May 13 and even earlier. UMNO's propaganda machine has turned the Malays into racists and haters of anyone who is not a Malay. Of late, young Malay demonstrators have even openly put up racist posters. There was one which read "Melayu demonstrasi, Cina di rumah goyang kaki". There were also other "hate Chinese posters" put up by Malay demonstrators, openly fanning hatred of the Chinese. UMNO has done very well in turning the Malay into racists and supremists.
I don't see any hope for the various races to be truly united as long as UMNO governs the country. Tell me, which PM has ever bothered to put a stop to BTN's racist work?
Even at UMNO's general assembly, there has been no let up by delegates and leaders in fanning race hatred. So what hope is there under UMNO? The only way out, as I see it, is to remove UMNO, once and all, from power. But for this to happen, it is up to the Malays. And with the Malays having been brainwashed all these years by UMNO, it looks rather slim.
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written by aeromaverick, March 16, 2009 01:21:15
Dear RPK,
A good and timely article. I, as everyone here, hope to revert to past glorious colour blind days. But, are we, as we are today, ready to shift back? In other words, can all of us ensure we do not practice Reverse Racism in the event current status quo is reversed?
Or, are some of us here going to say one thing and actually practice another thing?
Malaysia, today with the current mix, cannot undo all these years of artificial policies overnight. Can the rest of us clamouring for change realise that? And are we patient enough for the same?
Our future is in our hands, as much as it is in the Politician's hands.
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written by mikewang, March 16, 2009 02:16:55
In the good old '60s, my mother would cook her favourite fried mee and my friends, Malays, Chinese and Indians would come over for a meal while we continue to study together in our old village house.
Not once would my Malay friends refused a meal as long as I assured them my mom used no pork in her cooking.
Those were the pre-halal segregation days ....
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written by Msian Idol3, March 16, 2009 03:24:05
Good memories & it is what we want Msia to be. BUT .... I have enjoyed going around during festive times as kids to enjoy malay, indian food. There were no problems. Reality sets in when I could not do what I want to do in univ. I got a scholarship to study overseas from a western nation. I have so many malay & indian friends then.Sadly I have lost touch with all but thats what I grew up --NO Colours. In my working career I have never felt so disgusted about working in Msia - its race & corruption. I left to work overseas & raised my family to be coloured blind & accept everyone as a human being. Yes we have malays married into the family and they all know how rotten this govt is in dividing its people based on colour/religion. Yes, to those human unknown malays(May 13th) who save & gave me a father to guide & raise us, we can't owe your mankind attitudes enough. Thanks and there are lots of malays who see different from what the govt is doing to wreck unity.
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written by KUMON, March 16, 2009 09:40:51
In this political 'awakening' of all races, it is the undoing of those selfish and self-serving politicians. That's why I always yearn for those days especially when I watch P. Ramlee shows. No tudung, no Ketuanan Melayu, self-expression and a much simpler life....hmmmm
We must stop those who are corrupt and these self-serving politicians....more than ever now. Like RPK said, WE MUST HAVE THE WILL AND HUNGER TO MARCH ON RELENTLESSLY for a BETTER MALAYSIA!
smilies/cool.gif
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written by tmf, March 16, 2009 10:11:38
On May 13 1969, outside gangsters took over our kampong at Lorong Scot in Brickfields, I was 11 years old.
There was only one malay gentleman living with us in our kampong.
Ahmad, who worked for KTM was a very frienly and jovial fellow.
The gangsters armed with parangs shouted outside Ahmad's room, threathening to kill him. My father and also some other neighbours blocked those gangsters and protected and cared for Ahmad throuout the curfiew.
After the tragedy, Ahmad, the only Malay in our kampong moved to Kampong Kerinci. Some displaced Chinese families from kampongs around Kampong Kerinci moved into our kampong instead.
We missed Ahmad and I believe some kind Malay families in Kampong Kerinci also missed those Chinese families who left them after the tragedy.
Whoever started the riots also divided the people for a long long time.
Today, let those politicians who try to separate the peace loving people of our country remember May 13 in the true context
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written by Apek, March 16, 2009 10:16:31
I grew up with Zain.
We were from the same Taman. I can still remember the day we got onto the bus to kindergarten. I sat next to him. And as far as I can recall, we sat in the bus every day for the next many years till he went off to MARA in form 3. We were in different classrooms but we always shared the ride to and from school. We ran together, 'rioted' together, studied together and played toys together. We grew up together giving not a "rats ass" for the damn hate speeches of Dr. Mahathir.
We both went to university and returned. I returned to do my bit to save the country from its own stupidity - and maybe it was the stupid thing to do. Most of my university friends did not return. They are now creating wealth and providing superb human resource to other Nations which in turn has promised to respect them and their families as a member of the human race on this floating piece of rock we call earth. I returned - in my mind to save this country - to others, to my own peril.
My good friend Zain has left the country and probably would not return. He has gone to the land of opportunity and freedom. He has gone to the land where at least to a large extent "you are not judged by the colour of your skin but by the content of your character" to a land where opportunity is given to talent rather than to personality OR worse to associates of UMNO/BN only.
Malaysia's lost is another Nation’s gain. And I can tell you that Zain, he will make that Nation proud. In my mind, Malaysian politicians have failed Zain and they have failed Malaysians. Damn you bunch of ultra nationalist UMNO and damn you MCA Dong Zuo.
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written by Sinewy, March 16, 2009 14:49:55
As long as we have the racist UMNO and their self serving warlords ruling the country, we can forget about a bright future for malaysia where all citizens stand together as equals. Any intelligent persons in their 50's know who had brought the chaos on 13 may 1969 and for what purpose. It pains us when politicians whitewashes the unfortunate event and those innocent deaths. It is the politicians who cannot face the truth for their own political survival. The average malaysians today do have the courage and understanding to accept the truth of the event calmly but not the politicians, who still play the racial sentiment to the hilt to stay in power to rule this country. It is the politicans who perpetuate the disunity among the peolple and continue to have policies to instigate racial hatred in this country, not the ordinary citizens.
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written by hellboykl, March 16, 2009 15:04:06
All these racial hatred was created by UMNO to be in power forever.
So they can use racial issue to dominate.
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