An inconvenient question: Are cash, rice for votes 'protection'?

Malay political elites who perpetuate the parochial blueprint that has empowered and enriched them at the expense of their race and others should be ashamed of themselves.

This is think-tank founder and businessperson Chandran Nair's searing indictment of Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal's recent remark that the Malays, with their neo-feudal and tribal mindset, still require a protector.

For Chandran, it is extremely disappointing when the new generation of political leaders, who should be committed to emancipating the people from such cerebral manacles and racial stereotypes, reinforce antiquated beliefs which bind and hinder progress.

“It is common knowledge that in the run-up to elections, people are bought with cash and bags of rice. This tells how deplorable things are when elite Malay politicians can create a voting bloc with such a promise.

“It shows how destructive they have been to the disenfranchised within the community and why they choose to keep them poor rather than uplifting them. If this is what protection looks like, they should be ashamed of themselves,” he told Malaysiakini.

When pointed out that Wan Fayshal had, in response to critics, explained that he too disagreed with this conservative mindset, Chandran dismissed this as inadequate.

According to him, the national unity deputy minister is obliged to provide a clear explanation of why this mindset exists, what perpetuates it, and what can be done about it.

Without mincing words, Chandran said Wan Fayshal should possess the courage to swim against the current and not appear to obliquely support or pander to...