To assimilate or not to assimilate, that is the question

The following was written by one Wong Ci Lik.

 

Do the Malays want to lose power by integrating-assimilating the Chinese and Indians?

 

In the late 1940s and 1950s, Thailand suppressed Chinese culture and closed Chinese schools with the hazy notion that this would prevent a fifth column for Communist China. They were too successful - almost all Chinese have Thai names and speak Thai as their mother tongue. Being of similar religion is a major factor. From the 1960s after being “assimilated”, the Chinese began to accumulate political power. Nowdays, the top political posts and including the army and police are usually held by Chinese descended Thais.

 

Indonesia did the same from 1966, and Chinese Indonesians who are less than 5% of the population now control an estimated >90% of the economy and has begun to accumulate real political power (unlike MCA).

 

There cannot be integration/assimilation with discrimination. Without discrimination, due to longer history/culture/experiences* - the Chinese and Indians in whatever form of names would come out tops.

 

History shows that only when the original “foreign” population is less than 10-20% and with no major religious differences, will assimilation work.

 

I would say let it be as it is now perhaps with more effort on the Chinese and Indians to speak Malay better. Better for Malaysian Chinese and Indians to continue having separate identities otherwise the Malays could really lose power within a generation. Instead, do the reverse; send Malay kids to Chinese schools as I will elaborate in my last paragraph.

 

*As with Mahathir’s theory (who unfortunately seems to have only super rich Chinese and Indian friends like Vincent Tan and Ananda, hence not understanding the Chinese and Indian masses and also having a chip on his shoulder - getting a driver immediately after he can afford it), the Chinese and Indians have advantages; Malays do need handicaps temporarily — its this time period that is in dispute most of the time ... I would leave the Indian topic to better commentators.

 

The Chinese have about 5,000 years of history - education and health/nutrition knowledge etc. Being a more experienced race — like a more experienced tennis player or golfer, of course in general without handicap, they will prevail. For 5000 years, they were living most of the time in harsh times in China - famine, war etc and they have four seasons. They had to plan and save more as there could not be enough to eat/grow in winter etc. They have evolved to be the most successful race - if measured in scientific quantities terms. Their mathematical language has evolved early to be most efficient - compare the number Sembilan (3 syllables) with Jiu/9 - all single sound numbers in Chinese. Focusing on education/Confucianism and basic health/nutrition are 2 major determinants. In South East Asia, coconut and durians drop by themselves; one can fish and plant whole year round.

 

Not much need for planning, saving and arithmetic.

 

But evolution/improvements are determined by needs/environment. When there's a need and a will, there's a way. Given the right environment-education and health/nutrition focus and a need to do so, human beings will be the same. Malays are not inferior to any races when born, it’s the environment and maybe culture and indoctrination that may cause some to be believe so. Currently, due to constant indoctrination of the need for assistance, the Malays lack confidence. Without confidence, there cannot be ability. Without Malay confidence, the “problems” of Malaysia cannot be solved.

So perhaps the solution is to come to a general agreement on the right solutions to this, the Chinese and Indians must be involved and help for their own sakes. Have a big NGOs and political parties get-together.

 

In my opinion and from my personal experiences growing up and living around/with non-rich Malay folks (who are usually much nicer, kinder and polite than the rich ones/Chinese/Indians - a sweeping statement perhaps but as stated is my personal opinion — we have equal share when collecting Kupangs, fruits, working in construction sites etc even though I don’t contribute much in our sojourns - belated thanks to Ali Kadir, Yusoff,Azmi etc of Khalidi Muar!)

 

A little of what I think can be improved :

 

1. Malay nutrition - all the thick curries, fried stuff does not help. A poor Chinese usually still get enough nutrition for the kids by cooking chicken leg/necks/bones soup etc. Formula baby milk is expensive and the Malays mother normally needs to work to supplement the family income. I don’t think most Malay kids growing up has enough nutrition.
2. Environment — it is not healthy at all for most Malays in urban centres (majority of the Malay population are in Urban areas now) to be housed in small 1-2 bedrooms apartments. They may be poorer in the kampung but they have the space and the whole village to depend upon. We need more libraries built around these areas instead of look/feel good halls, religious buildings etc.
3. Ensure >50% of students in current vernacular Chinese primary school are Malays — they will get to learn one more language and better mathematics skills (important in future China growth century etc), the Chinese will get to learn/use better Malay; all should understand each other better. National schools can be converted into such Chinese primary school if needed or such Chinese schools named as National School in name — this is a bold move and may not be politically palatable. But a leader is supposed to lead, not follow. Singapore leaders were bold in using English as a main medium, a neutral language; Malaysian leaders should go one up on them by using the Chinese language at least in primary schools. There is already a substantial number of Malay students in Chinese Primary Schools. Being 50% and more will also give the parents confidence that their kids won't be badly influenced by the “kaffir” Chinese.
4. Recognise that Malay history began more than 1,500 years ago from the Great Sri Vijaya empire rather than the Melaka Sultanate with arguably only a half hero - Hang Tuah vs Hang Jebat. More historical role models will help confidence and ability in the end.

 

Yours sincerely,

WongCiLik

Are our leaders out of their minds?

Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Saleh Mat Rasid hit a raw nerve yesterday when he said that the army will help the police, if necessary, at the Black 505 rally tomorrow.

He was roundly criticised and rightly so.

Use the army against unarmed Malaysians at a rally? Unbelievable!

These are just people fighting for what they believe is right. They are not the Sulu terrorists and this is not Ops Daulat II.

So what exactly is it that anybody thinks the police cannot handle?

There have been about a dozen protest rallies since the May 5 polls and not one turned violent or chaotic.

Why? One reason is that the police allowed the protestors time and space to do their thing.

But it also says something about the true nature of us Malaysians. We are not a violent or mean nation.

Members of the public are no longer perturbed about these rallies.

They know tomorrow’s will end peacefully if the police restrict their duties to traffic control and ensure smooth passage into Padang Merbok.

There is already a track record on this. Look at what happened at the Kelana Jaya stadium on May 8.
More than 100,000 protestors turned up and the only problem reported was traffic congestion.

It was the same at the other rallies across the country.

So, if the protestors are willing to brave the haze and heat tomorrow to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner, why the need for the authorities to talk so tough?

There is no need to turn this into some acid test for the new IGP or undermine public confidence in the police further by talking army. Let’s keep the peace.

[Source: The MI]

By saying that the army would be put on standby,  Datuk Saleh Mat Rasid has finally admitted to the fact that the PDRM is simply one incompetent lot, or are they?

Has the backlash against the Chinese begun?

From the Sun Daily :

PUTRAJAYA (June 12, 2013): The Tourism and Culture Ministry will take SRK (C) Chin Woo – located in Jalan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur – to court if it cannot get its land back from the school.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the ministry has made a firm stand on the matter.

"It is our land, and it is the right of any land owner to take their land back. They would do the same if we encroached on their land," he told a press conference today.

Nazri was commenting on a stalemate over a 0.13ha (15,000 sq ft) plot of government land, which has been occupied by the school since 1938.

"We have held many discussions and I have made the decision that if this issue is not resolved, we will take the school to court and let the court decide," Nazri said.

The ministry wants to use the land as part of its RM32.5 million Kota Warisan Kuala Lumpur project as a cultural village.

The cultural village project, approved in concept by the cabinet in 2007, involves the building of an auditorium, a six-storey complex and a restaurant on 3.24ha of land.

The Kota Warisan project is a joint development venture between the Tourism Ministry and Enfiniti Productions Sdn Bhd.

However, the project met with strong objections from the school board on grounds that it would have to give up land for the project construction.

The Chin Woo board reportedly argued that the school had received the approval of the then British government of colonial Malaya to occupy the land on which stands its school walls, two basketball courts and its garden.

The ministry, however, claims the school was encroaching upon government land.

The school has been in talks with the Kota Warisan project developer since last year to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, Nazri announced that there was an increase in the number of tourists arrivals in the first quarter of this year compared to 2012.

"Malaysia recorded an overall growth of 15.9% with 6.4 million tourists in the first quarter of this year compared to 5.6 million tourists in 2012.

"Tourist spending for 2012 also grew by 16.7% generating RM14.99 billion in revenue for the country as compared to RM12.84 billion in 2011," said Nazri.

The higher tourist volume was atttributed to the increased number of flights, especially long-haul flights, by low-cost airlines.

Nazri also announced the third annual "Magic of the Night" event to be held in Putrajaya from June 22 to 30, in conjunction with the Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival.

It will feature 14 lighted boats from organisations and state governments each featuring tourism attractions of their respective bodies. Also to be featured is an entry from Suzhou, China.
"We will use this event to promote tourism in Malaysia by inviting media and organisations from other countries, in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

"As for (opposition-run states) Selangor, Penang and Kelantan which are not taking part in the event, it is their choice. We have invited them," he added.
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From Malaysia-Today :

The Chinese in Pulau Pinang when it was under Barisan Nasional had clout, and had then protested vehemently when the government wanted to construct a new international airport in Alor Setar, Kedah.

 

The Chinese in Pulau Pinang feared if this happened, the economy of the state would go bust.

 

But what they did not realize was that without the construction of the airport, the economy of Kedah would go bust.

 

They did not care about Kedah; they only cared about themselves.

And what this also meant was that they only cared for the well-being of the Chinese in Pulau Pinang who then formed the majority in the state.

 

They did not care about the well-being of the Melayu in Kedah who formed the majority in this state.

The Chinese in Pulau Pinang did not care what the government had done to the state to give it a higher economic profile all these years, that had allowed the state to develop.

 

They did it at the expense of Kedah and the Melayu.

 

But then, Pulau Pinang was a stronghold of the Malaysian-Chinese Association and Parti Gerakan Rakyat or Gerakan, so the government had to take heed of what they wanted, and got it.

So Kedah was left behind economically without the airport. It only has a small airport for domestic use.

 

But now Pulau Pinang has gone to the opposition.

Having done much to the state by the government, the majority of the Chinese in this state chose to vote opposition. It was a wise move.

 

But it can also be a stupid move. How? If the government revisits the idea of developing a new international airport in Alor Setar and turn Kedah into a new economic powerhouse in the north of the Melayu Peninsula.

 

If this can be done, Pulau Pinang can go bust.

 

It must be allowed to go bust since the people there do not deserve to be given any preferential treatment over the others, who are the Melayu in Kedah who had to suffer just to accommodate the interests of the Chinese in Pulau Pinang who now have to depend on the Democratic Action Party or DAP for their own economic survival.

 

The Chinese there did not care who had caused the state to develop. They only care who should govern the state, now that it has developed. They chose an almost Chinese-majority party who do not care for the well-being of the Melayu.

 

There is no doubt that the Chinese in Pulau Pinang had made a grave mistake for voting opposition as it can backfire only if the government and especially Umno know how to go about solving the matter, i.e. by constructing a new and larger international airport in Alor Setar and turn Kedah into a new economic powerhouse.

After all, the people of Kedah who had also tried their luck by voting for PAS now realize their own folly by turning their backs against them in the last general elections.

 

So it is time for Kedah to be given some preferential treatment and to allow the state to develop and directly compete with Pulau Pinang.

 

Have those in Umno and the Melayu in Kedah forgotten how the Chinese in Pulau Pinang threatened not to support Barisan if the airport was built?

 

Have the Melayu in Kedah also forgotten how the Chinese in Pulau Pinang did not care for their well-being but only for the well-being of the Chinese in Pulau Pinang?

Those in Pulau Pinang only wanted Kedah and the Melayu majority there to suffer just to allow Pulau Pinang to continue to prosper.

Now that the threat of the Chinese in Pulau Pinang has been released, by them having voted DAP en masse, maybe it is the right time for the Kedah and government to construct the international airport in Alor Setar to spur its economic growth.

 

So it was good for the Chinese in Pulau Pinang to give the state to DAP so that Kedah can now go on their own way and develop itself, and by doing so can also cause Pulau Pinang to have stiff competition that it did not want to see as the Melayu in Kedah were too innocent to believe that the Chinese in Pulau Pinang would continue to vote Barisan if Kedah chose to remain backward.

 

Even when Kedah was given to PAS, the PAS government did not do anything to the state, and allowed it to stagnate.

 

Now that the people of Kedah are smarter and returned the state to Barisan, it is the right time for them to give Pulau Pinang a run for their money and see if DAP is good for Pulau Pinang, that the Chinese there thought they were, now that the DAP are in their second term as government of the state.

 

Pulau Pinang’s economic growth therefore can be said to be dependent on the state of the economy of Kedah, who chose to remain backward simply to look after the interests of the Chinese in Pulau Pinang.

Now that the tables have been changed, maybe the state of the economy of Pulau Pinang too must be changed.

 

Kedah cannot suffer because they want Pulau Pinang to prosper.

 

Pulau Pinang must be strong enough to face competition from Kedah so that the DAP can prove to its voters that they are deserving leaders, and their choice to vote them in was not wrong.

 

Kedah can prove this to be wrong, for them to go for DAP.

 

[Written by Mansor Puteh]

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From Malaysiakini :

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has dismissed claims that the Kedah state government should start imposing raw water charges on Penang because the latter is drawing raw water from Kedah's rivers.

Guan Eng said in a statement today that the Penang Water Supply Authority (PBAPP) is drawing raw water from the Penang side of the Muda River, which does not cross into Kedah.

"Firstly, Kedah is not supplying raw water to Penang. The Muda River flows through Penang naturally. We draw water from the river ourselves using our own water supply infrastructure, at our own cost," he said.

"Secondly, the Muda River is a natural water resource and not a man-made project like the Johor-Malacca water transfer scheme. Why do we have to pay for drawing water from a natural resource that has been flowing through our state for centuries?" he asked.

He was responding to comments made by Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Mahdzir Khalid (right), who had recently said there was a strong case for the Kedah state government to start charging Penang for raw water.

Mahdzir had used the Johor-Malacca water transfer scheme, where Johor charges Malacca for drawing water from Johor, as an example.

But Guan Eng said that the Johor-Malacca example does not apply to Penang and Kedah.

"Penang drawing water from Sungai Muda inside Penang's borders is not like Johor pumping water from inside Johor's borders into Malacca," Guan Eng said.

Previously, the PAS-led Kedah state government between 2008 to 2013 had also mooted charging Penang for raw water but the suggestion was also shot down by Guan Eng.

Meet Madam Speaker, Hannah Yeoh

The newly appointed Selangor state legislative assembly Speaker Hannah Yeoh said one of the reform agendas she would undertake after assuming the post of Speaker would be to pass the Selangor Legislative Assembly Service Enactment 2009.

She said her primary task would be to carry on with the four reform agendas implemented by his predecessor Datuk Teng Chang Khim, including live telecast of the state assembly meetings, the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) and improving the welfare of state assemblymen.

Yeoh, who is also the state assemblyman for Subang Jaya, told Sin Chew Daily in an exclusive interview that the objective of passing the Selangor Legislative Assembly Service Enactment 2009 was to consolidate the efficiency and the role of the state legislative assembly.

Under the Enactment, staff affairs and finances will be separated from the state executive council and be put under the management of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Service Committee.

This Committee will be chaired by the state assembly Speaker and will include as its members the Menteri Besar, the opposition leader, and five to six state assemblymen from both the ruling and opposition parties.

Offices for reps

Yeoh said offices for state assemblymen should also be provided at the state assembly. Currently offices are only provided for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker at the state legislative assembly, and it will be inconvenient for state assemblymen from faraway constituencies to handle their matters during the sitting of the assembly meetings.

"I feel it is necessary to set up new offices for all state assemblymen so that they can use them to conduct studies on a variety of issues, and this will boost the quality of debates."
She also said awareness campaign should be organised to help the general public understand the role of state reps better.

Pressure

The first female speaker in the country, Yeoh admitted that she felt pressurised but was glad to have been entrusted with the job and hoped she could set a good model for future speakers.

She nevertheless felt lucky that her predecessor Teng had paved the way for her and would provide her with valuable guidance whenever she needs, adding that she would also learn from former Perak state legislative assembly speaker V. Sivakumar and former Selangor deputy speaker Haniza Talha, while DAP national legal bureau secretary Gobind Singh Deo is always at hand to provide her legal consultation whenever necessary.

When asked whether she was disappointed not being appointed a state Exco, being a second-term state assemblyman, Yeoh said DAP always stresses team spirit and as a party member, she must obey the orders from the party.

The new Selangor state legislative assembly will be convened on June 21 when all state assemblymen will take their oaths and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker officially appointed.

She said although she has been appointed Speaker by the Menteri Besar, her appointment has to be endorsed and accepted by the state legislative assembly.

She pledged that while chairing the state assembly meetings, she would be fair to BN reps and give them ample time to debate.

However, she hoped the reps would not deliberately pick issues just to attack the state government or abuse the state assembly to advance their own agendas.

She said she had high regards for the competency and eloquence of former BN state assemblyman for Taman Templer Subahan Kamal, and hoped other BN reps would emulate him.

Between a mother and a politician

A mother of two toddler daughters, Yeoh said it would not be a problem for her to take care of both her political career and family so long as she allocates her time properly.

"I do not have a maid. I stay in Putra Heights, and will send my daughters to my mom in Subang Jaya during the day and pick them up at night.

"I insist to bathe my girls and put them to sleep myself. If I have to work very late and have important meeting to attend the following morning, I will then put up a night at my mother's."

Talking about her husband Ramanchandran Muniandy, Yeoh said he is always her number one fan and "political advisor."

"He fully backs me and would share with me his views and suggestions."

Although she has now been appointed the state assembly speaker, Yeoh said she would still go to her service centre to help the constituents whenever she is not at the assembly, adding that she has hired a "manager" to help her handle the operations at the centre, including public complaints.

[Source: Sin Chew]

Ambiga Sreenevasan - Oslo Freedom Forum

My, my, what do you know?

What happened at THE STAR'S 2013 AGM, May 22?

The following appeared on the online Business Times Premium website, but have since been removed.

Wong Chun Wai (WCW)
Fong Chan Onn (FCO)
Vincent Lee (VL)
Koh Beng Huat (KBH)

There was a big turnout for the AGM. The venue (room next to
auditorium) was crammed and overflowed and this was pointed out by two
shareholders. "It is too small, you are not performing your social
responsibility and it looks bad."

A lot of shareholders expressed concern about the falling share price
saying if revenue, circulation and readership is going up as claimed
why the dip?

 One shareholder noted that even Star directors were selling their
shares to which one director said he is still buying.
FCO said Star is an investment stock, not a betting stock and still
pays good dividends.

A visibly upset shareholder criticized the paper for telling lies and
inaccurate reporting and said she represents many other readers with
similar sentiments. "If you don't report correctly, who will buy your
paper?"

WCW responded by describing the shift in the sentiments of urban
voters/readers of Star as being anti-establishment /angry with
anything associated with BNasional. He said that Star was generally
accurate in its coverage and online portals like TMI and Malaysiakini
were sometimes wrong.

For example, he said Star never said Barisan would win in Penang. He
added they report what politicians say. The comment, "Don't talk
rubbish" was overheard while he was talking. He asked for
shareholders' patience in hearing him out WCW said he has to work in a
difficult situation as he has to answer to KDN (Home Ministry),
shareholders, owners, and readers. "I am praised and bashed by both
sides. We put Anwar on the page one with Najib and I got a shelling,"

An ex-employee said he would support a management buyout (MBO)
provided the buyers are those with a good reputation as he said it is
better if Star is out of the Barisan/MCA mode which comes with tight
controls and obligations.

 He also criticized the partisan advertisements in the run-up to GE13
ie "A vote for DAP is a vote for PAS" saying it had angered readers
and that they were ill-conceived and not thought out properly. The
directors reiterated there will be no MBO and MCA has no intention of
selling off Star.

Other shareholders asked what rates were charged for the political
advertisements but the BoD said it was given on a "group buying basis"
but did not reveal the actual rates. They said it was according to
"professional market pricing" and there was "no special treatment for
anybody."

Another shareholder said the Star should lead the way in offering
unbiased and objective writing. Star writers should be professional
although she acknowledged that specialist writers/columnists have a
right to have their say.

A shareholder also questioned how the recommendations for the
re-election of directors are done. "The next AGM, when we elect a
director, please let us know what their contributions are."

Finally, after all the resolutions were passed by a show of hands, the
former general manager of Star, Koh Beng Huat, got up to speak. He
pointed out that he had given the secretary a list of written
questions and asked that the answers be read out. Most pertained to
the welfare of Star employees. He also asked about the progress of the
book which was to be published in conjunction with Star's 40th
anniversary. The answer was the editorial team was busy because of
GE13 and they are now editing and "verifying interviews."

KBH: This is the first time I have stepped forward since I left. The
humble workers laid the foundation for the company. The employees are
the most valuable asset but the impression given is otherwise.  I hear
a lot of negative remarks about the paper and the company - from both
current and former employees. Why couldn't Star retain Ho Kay Tat?  He
was a true professional. Did he leave because of politicking among the
top management?
I sold 30 lots of shares. The price has gone down from
3.20 to 2.60 after Ho Kay Tat left.
The performance bonus should be scrapped. I've seen how the system was
abused more than 30 years ago in NST, resulting in victimization and
favouritism. I don't want Star employees to feel the same. I know you
reward your favourites, those you don't like you minimise and cut off.

The ex-gratia bonus had been successfully implemented for many years.
It was a motivator to employees.
Star is not performing the way it should be performing. It used to be
among the top 100 companies by market capitalization. Something is
seriously wrong. We are told circulation and revenue is going up but
the share price is dropping. What are the directors doing?
I'm not protecting WCW, I'm sad for him. He is a professional. He
should concentrate full time on editorial matters. Don't get involved
with the BoD.

There is too much politicking - they will make use of you. He loves
the paper, so do I.  WCW don't spend time designing T-shirts and
accepting mock cheques. Don't spend time on the BoD. They will grill
you and politicians want to make use of you. Get out of the Board.

I am a lifetime member of MCA. MCA owns 40% - they act like they own
the paper. And whack each other like mad. Star should not get involved
in internal party politicking. You can't run Star like an advertising
agency. (VL interjected and said that Naga had been second largest
contributor to Star revenue).  Advertising is a dog eat dog. A
newspaper is very different.

Don't bully the staff, don't' take them for granted. Don't ignore
them. Treat them with respect. Take care of the employees - they are
our greatest asset. Star cares for its workers. Why is it until now
they have not been given their increment and performance bonus? Don't
give out titles as you like. Don't bully the employees and transfer
and redesignate them. This is not your father's company. David Yeoh is
a wonderful newspaperman. What is he doing in Penang?

The Star has achieved great success over the years but this year is
not going to be a good year. I heard a lot of negative comments about
the top management and BoD. The rate they are carrying on Star is
going downhill.

When I and Steven Tan went to see the chairman, FCO, when he was
Minister of Human Resources he brushed us off and said he was too
busy. The chairman and directors come and go. I hope FCO will not
brush us off this time and give a firm commitment. Make sure the
company is run properly. Don't disappoint
Tunku Abdul Rahman. Don't ignore his contribution.

2.  PUBLISHED MAY 24, 2013
Poll results a hot issue at Star AGM
A few shareholders accuse publication of supporting BN

BY S JAYASANKARAN IN KUALA LUMPUR

WHAT was to have been a routine annual general  meeting of Star
Publications last Wednesday turned out to be anything but.
According to people present, one man told Wong Chun Wai, the firm's
editor and executive director, that though he remained a shareholder,
he had stopped buying the newspaper because of what he felt was the
publication's one-sided coverage that seemed to favour the ruling
Barisan Nasional.

Another accused Tony Fernandes, who was seeking re-election as the
firm's independent director, of using chartered flights to ferry
Bangladeshi "phantom" voters - a widely believed rumour spread by the
opposition - to cast ballots in the May 5 general election. Mr
Fernandes, the controlling shareholder of budget carrier Air Asia,
agreed that there had been chartered flights but said they had been
used to ferry Sabahans working in Johor home
to vote.

The general tone of many of the shareholders was hostile. "It was as
if the elections weren't ended," one shareholder who was present told
The Business Times. "Instead of talking about business or profit, they
just wanted the paper to bash the government."