YOURSAY | How stable would govt be without non-Malay support?

YOURSAY | ‘Let Malay parties settle their own scores instead of using non-Malays as pawns for political adventures.’

COMMENT | Madani govt should explain what rights non-Muslims have

Kilimanjaro: Malaysiakini columnist S Thayaparan, you have written on something that is very close to the hearts of the non-Malays. In fact, I felt it like a soothing balm for the pain and hurt the non-Malays must endure.

Shakespeare probably may have wanted to rewrite “Julius Caesar” as a contemporary history that is unfolding in front of us as we have more than one Brutus.

The love and respect for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Transport Minister Anthony Loke may have simply fizzled out and may be translated into a possible loss of votes for Pakatan Harapan.

Religion is not a sensitive issue just for Malays/Muslims, it is also a sensitive issue for the non-Malays and while Muslims have the force of the state backing them, non-Malays are left to lick their wounds in a step-child manner.

They seem to forget how religious conversion issues have destroyed the kingdom of Umno and how true the words – Umno will never ever learn.

In the yesteryears, non-Malays went for the “heads” of the MCA and MIC. Despair and frustration, hurt and pain with these two parties led the non-Malays to abandon these parties altogether.

They are now reduced to being called “traitors” actually. Perikatan Nasional (PN)/PAS are not worried about the loss of non-Malay support. They can seek and secure the support of MCA and MIC individuals to sign SDs and get what they want. Why bother with the support of the non-Malays?

Unfortunately, neither PKR nor DAP can have the same luxury. I feel very strongly that the DAP has visibly strayed from its often-stated objective of being the “protector” of minorities.

It went through many trials and tribulations but the support from non-Malays had only increased. Although the PKR leadership at the top are Malays, it somewhat enjoyed support from the non-Malays, partly due to its partnership with the DAP.

With all the hoo-ha now, who is talking for the non-Malays? Not even the DAP. Anwar did not waste a second to show how chivalrous he can be but he is also my PM, or so I thought.

That wish and hope met the first roadblock. The state elections are just around the corner and seriously I am not motivated to vote at all. Let Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari be chivalrous but I wonder whether he will be MB without non-Malay support.

There will be arguments that if the non-Malays do not back Harapan, most probably PN and PAS may take over Putrajaya. I say it loud and clear, let it be so.

As if we the non-Malays are the darlings of the present government. We have been told to make sacrifices to prevent PAS/PN from getting into Putrajaya. Frankly, what has been Umno’s contribution to non-Malays and the country?

Almost every single initiative of Umno is for Umno and the Malays. So, what is in the government for the non-Malays? Is it money that Anwar wants to throw at non-Malays? What good is money when our rights are being sidelined?

Never in the history of DAP have the non-Malays been so disappointed. It has been sounding like a broken record of late. When it stood firm against PAS’ Islamic state, non-Malays were solidly behind the DAP.

Of course, those were the days of DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and the late national chairperson Karpal Singh. I have this gut feeling that current secretary-general Loke may lead the party to its downfall just like how MCA and MIC went.

Politics is like a slippery snake. Now that Anwar has tasted power, he may most likely seek support from the Malays if the non-Malays abandon him. So be it if it comes to that.

Let the Malay parties settle their own scores instead of using the non-Malays as pawns for their political adventures. How stable would a Malay government be without non-Malay support? Well, both former prime ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaacob bit the dust, didn’t they?

Non-Malays must have the resolve that enough is enough. We too must think of the future of our children and grandchildren in this country. I have been “cursing” our elders who have “buried” us with their reckless support for BN.

I have faith in our younger generation - where we failed shamefully. To reset this country towards matured politics, a peaceful and harmonious nation, the initiative has to come from the non-Malays.

Stop supporting any party that does not go along with the Constitution - that non-Malays have rights and for now, I will include DAP as the worst - Et tu, Brute?

To wake up DAP and PKR, let them lose Penang and Selangor for one round. That is the only way they will learn their lessons, if at all.

As for the leaders of Sabah and Sarawak, let their people decide. With such cunning leaders like Anwar who was quick to ignore peninsula religious politics in favour of the Borneo states, I wish him well.

Let him enjoy his support from a ruined and almost dead horse called Umno.

MS: I understand the sheer frustration and cynicism which motivated this piece by the intrepid Commander who is continuing his battle against irrationality, duplicity, and hypocrisy - three of Madani Malaysia’s most enduring traits.

This place is too far gone for any kind of redemptive miracle to occur or for a leader of the Koestenbaum variety to emerge.

No country founded on supremacist hogwash has succeeded in the history of the human race. The proclamation of Madani including its motivations is more evidence of that.

Another talent wasted: Until the day when the citizens or the politicians of this country respect each other, I doubt there will be peace and progress. Whatever one does, we must always think of others. Be considerate and do not take advantage of the weak or the poor.

Many years ago I was posted to this plantation in Kuala Selangor. I was most surprised when I saw this Indian temple next to a Muslim mosque.

Why our forefathers can be so considerate and respect each other even in religious belief, yet today most of us are so narrow-minded despite being better educated?

Perhaps our education system is our downfall.

Ravi: It has been a tradition, if an election or by-election is coming up, PAS and Umno will start preaching about Malays, race, and religion.

Our country is facing a heatwave and people have died of heatstroke, the education system is chaotic, there are economic woes and there is a never-ending list of the needs of the people.

Malaysians of all faiths have been living in peace with no problem. The politicians are the problem. Politicians are dying to be prime minister, deputy prime minister, and ministers.

They always fight for it, while people suffer in many ways. May God save us.

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