14
speak up!
A
RE we ready for a truly multi-racial
Malaysia? Can we hold a decent
conversation without bringing race
into the issue? Can we talk to each other
without looking at skin colour? Can we
address issues, collectively as Malay-
sians instead of looking at ourselves in
our ethnic background? Is the Pakatan
Rakyat’s promise of a Bangsa Malaysia
for real or is it political hogwash? Are
politicians hiding behind a facade of
unity only to throw the race card when
it suits them?
Within a few seconds yesterday, the
answers hit me in the face like Muham-
mad Ali’s killer punch. They came unex-
pectedly. No, we are light years away
from becoming a truly united, multiracial
society where we call ourselves Malay-
sians. I came face-to-face with a racist
zealot whose eyes were blinkered and
his mind closeted by his own views and
perception. As much as you have a right
to disagree with my opinion, he too has.
I too have a right to disagree with his
reasoning, but when all semblance of
common sense, reasonableness and
decency were thrown out the window,
we can only hope and pray he is only
one of the 264 councillors in Selangor
with such a mindset.
Last week, I received an email from
Maria Chin in her capacity as the chair
of the Coalition on Good Governance
and the executive director of Empower
(an NGO working on women and human
rights) to address a meeting of members
of local councils in Selangor. I agreed.
Yesterday, when I entered the hall,
Petaling Jaya councillor Derek Fernan-
dez who specialises in planning law was
already speaking in English. There were
questions in Bahasa Malaysia and he
replied them in Bahasa and I told myself
that I too would do the same.
I had concluded my 20-minute
presentation followed by a question-
and-answer session. Towards the tail
Closeted minds need
heavy-duty cleansers
end, a PAS councillor from
Sepang posed questions.
Since it was a state govern-
ment function, he asked,
shouldn’t I be speaking in
Bahasa Malaysia? Despite
having been invited by an
NGO, I had no qualms with
that. Had I been told not
to speak in English, I could
have handled that because
although my Bahasa Malay- CitizenNades school in baju kurung and
sia is not polished, I could
hold court. In school, during by R. Nadeswaran
Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan, I
had won prizes for bahas (debate) and
sharahan (oratory). Besides, I did spend
time in the Asrama Putra in the school
compound. Besides, as a sports stringer
for The Malay Mail, I also wrote for Berita
Harian for extra money.
Then, the Sepang councillor noted
that all the speakers were from satu
kaum. Like other speakers, we were
there not because of the colour of our
skin, but because we wanted to share
our knowledge and expertise with
councillors, which will then help them
make educated decisions in the course
of carrying out their responsibilities.
At the outset, let me declare that I
was outspoken – I criticised exco mem-
ber in Selangor in charge of local gov-
ernment, Ronnie Liu; I had
suggested that councils be
run as companies listed on
the First Board, noting their
turnover and even went as
far as to suggest the pen-
pushing civil servants who
act as heads be replaced by
people from the corporate
sector.
My daughters went to
I wear a songkok when in-
vited to the palace, and have
told friends and detractors
that doing so does not make me and my
family less ethnic Ceylon-Tamil, but it
does make us more Malaysian. I don’t
categorise friends by their faith or race,
and I have always advocated being a
true Malaysian. I have never addressed
issues from any narrow perspective. If
there’re personal interests, I’ve always
declared them upfront.
The councillor also said that I was
critical of people from satu kaum or
words to that effect, by which time I had
lost it! I replied him in Bahasa Malaysia
and when addressing his second ques-
tion, I lost it and make no apologies for
it. I choked as I tried to explain that after
51 years of independence, we still look
at race and religion. I covered my face to
theSun
Insight
into the
Ox year
pg 20
hide the tears… Many in the audience
stood up to offer their support and gave
me an ovation as I walked off the stage.
Liu offered some words of comfort and
so did the organisers and other coun-
cillors who were flabbergasted by this
man’s conduct. He was no different from
former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri
Mohd Khir Toyo, who last year remarked
that I only write about “Umno people
occupying playgrounds” and not “Indian
people building temples on state land”.
Much later, many rang to apologise
for one man’s conduct. No apologies
needed, I said. I feel sorry for the majority
in this country especially the people of
Sepang, who indirectly, are “governed”
by people of such outlook and state of
mind. I am no politician and have no
such ambitions, but after yesterday, I
would not dismiss attempts to introduce
Hudud laws as pure rhetoric. It’s for real,
especially when having lawmakers like
him.
R. Nadeswaran says that as sad as it
may sound, reality sometimes hits you
when you least expect it and asks if race
and religious based parties should be
banned? He is editor (special and inves-
tigative reporting) at theSun. Comment:
citizen-nades@thesundaily.com.
| WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21 2009
letter
letters@thesundaily.com
Hands off
schoolkids
I READ “Schoolkids and poli-
tics do not mix” (Jan 20) and
agree with the writer. As a
parent of a young schoolkid,
I am appalled by such foolish
and ignorant thinking and be-
haviour in our politicians and
supposedly guardians of our
national heritage. And that
applies to both sides. This is
how our next generation is
being influenced by politics,
and I hope parents can see
through the absurdity of such
actions.
And on being equitable in
the distribution of humani-
tarian aid and healthcare,
that is something we have
yet to learn to handle. Be it
aid for Palestinians, Israelis,
Sri Lankans, Tamils, and all
the people who are caught
in conflicts, we certainly do
not have the strength and
fortitude to draw on our
democratic values. Clearly
there is no fairness in this
world when we favour one
group of mistreated people
over the other.
Thank you, Terence Fern-
andez for your articles and
speaking with truth and con-
viction. You are helping many
people grow up and be aware
of the world they are living in.
Keep up the good work.
Ng Wai Mun
Kuala Lumpur