YOURSAY | A very M'sian debate on mono-ethnic workplaces

YOURSAY | ‘Sooner or later, companies that practise racism will die.’

Bonia says it values diversity after 'mono-ethnic workplace' criticism

CitizenSaro: I think that this video by an employee of Malaysian-owned luxury fashion retailer Bonia (I haven't seen it) has created a hot topic that should be addressed.

I totally agree if netizens want to see a diversity of employees in the workplace. That desire to seek equal opportunity in every workplace is universal and founded on good labour practices.

I think the government should hammer home this point to all private companies and government-linked companies (GLCs), as well as our civil service.

The end result will be a better and richer Malaysia.

PW Cheng: Indeed, let’s discuss this topic since we are on it.

Since most of us abhor a monolithic race composition in any working space, why don’t we start with the public service sector, which is the biggest employer utilising public funds to pay the salaries of its workers who comprise over 90 percent of a single race?

It’s only right that they should lead by example. But unfortunately, they are the ruling parties’ vote bank. So, it’s wishful thinking that it will ever happen.

Non-Malay companies, especially those owned by the Chinese, have to walk a fine line when it comes to recruitment and staffing. Even recruiting to fulfil a requirement needed by a particular company, for example ‘knowledge of Mandarin’, is viewed as racist and offensive.

To me, workplaces with various races are the way to go for a multiracial country. We need this formula for racial integration.

Camel Man: Yes, the hypocrisy. Never mind the government departments. We are supposed to accept - and we do - the lack of diversity there.

There is no difference with private companies too. Check out the management and employee demographics of Malay-owned private companies.

SKMM: There should be at least 25 percent (one-quarter) of Chinese representation in the civil service at all levels, from directors-general (DGs) and chief secretaries right down to the tea ladies.

Likewise, the police and the army. Not just the top management but constables and privates, too.

Vijay47: Nobody denies that our shameless government practises some of the most shameful racist policies in the world.

But the issue here is Bonia and its "mono-ethnic" ways. Yet in many of the comments in this news piece, there seems a sly attempt at evading this by harping on the government. That makes Bonia right?

Yeah, racism is what the Malays carry out, never when the Chinese do it.

Dr Raman Letchumanan: @Vijay47, I would take it as, if the majority race can do it, why not the minority, especially if it is not a drain on public money but in fact contributing to the economy and taxes. Somebody has to contribute, right?

What about the pesky Indians then? Please ask the labourer Saravanan.

Dr Suresh Kumar: Most of the commenters here argue that a course of action is justified because the other person has done the same.

So, these people are justifying private sector racism using an illogical reasoning pattern. And that is okay? Two wrongs don't make a right!

Freethinker: @ Dr Suresh Kumar, this is not to be justified if it is right or wrong.

We are just purely calling out the hypocrisy of the complainers. The non-Malays hardly complain about institutional racism but had long accepted as a reality that the non-Malays have to be self-reliant and self-sufficient.

That’s why every parent is providing the best education they can for their children.

Malayan Tiger: I don't mean Bonia is right and they definitely should improve. But when the country, government, political parties and national policies are all race-based, are you really expecting a different outcome from the private sector?

None of us is innocent. Don't be quick to point fingers because we did help create the current mess.

Proof Of Pudding Always In The Eating: If we think Bonia is racist then feel free to boycott its products.

But let’s recognise that they are not collecting taxes from all Malaysians and then mostly giving back to one race or one religion, of which we have been totally silent over the past 60-plus years.

Sooner or later, companies that practise racism will die. But what about the government?

Gaji Buta: No excuses. We have racists from all communities, some more than others. Some were not initially, but the system turned them into one, eventually.

Solo: Let’s call a spade a spade. Any large or international company does not want to be labelled or seen as only hiring one race, religion, group of people, etc.

Diversity not only looks good, but it also brings many benefits that help the company grow and understand its clients.

GrayWolf2705: Be the best in your job and any company would want to employ you. Who cares if you come from another planet?

YellowCat1156: At the end of the day, we perceive things as we see them, based on our own prejudices.

Nothing can stop anyone from interpreting the video as purported mono-ethnicism in Bonia.

By the same token, many will just take this video as one from a happy Bonia employee, and nothing else. We are who we are.

Newday: There is always someone in Malaysia that makes sure we view everything through a racial lens.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.