Fear for the Country

We live in the 21st century, most of you reading this blog (I hope you guys are) have seen two millenniums come and gone. The world as we know it is getting smaller and smaller by the day. Technology a has advanced to the point that communications among continents is merely a 100bps away using Streamyx and believe it or not its still going strong.

In the near future there will be no need for expensive surgery because the field of medicine has improved so much in the past decade that through primary prevention, the disease can never occur in the first place.

I could go on with countless of other examples but it will only detract you from the true topic i wish to bring up.

As any proper Malaysian with a decent knowledge about Malaysian politics, I feel like I need to express my views. Though not many people may read this blog I would type down my views here as an outlet for my dissatisfaction.

The Malaysian government has for almost 2 whole generations now implemented the NEP or the New Economic Policy which in its previous incarnations called the NDP or New Development Policy, Hell in a Cell, Penis in the Anus. Oops sorry sidetracked again. Regardless of the of what its called, it basically has the same meaning. Its main purpose is to provide the bumiputrans head start in the world of academics and business. Quotas for local universities are set specifically to allocate places to bumiputrans than non-bumiputrans. Locally run non-bumiputran companies worth RM 1 million or more requires at least a 18.9% of its total shares must be given to a bumiputran.

Hishammudin Hussien defended the NEP by quoting from a study stating that the Malays need 120 years to achieve income parity. But to all fairness that study was a local study and its quality should be questioned. He added by saying with every RM1 a Malay earned a Chinese would earn RM1.64.

As a half bumiputran (my mum is an Orang Ulu), and a Christian, I understand the need to help our fellow man. There are legitimate bumiputras out there that truly need the governments help but sadly they are ignored. I believe that the NEP is nothing more than another government sanctioned get-rich-scheme intended to fatten up some politicians already stuffed-to-the-seams, cash loaded wallet.

I strongly condemn the policies of UMNO right now. Contradicting to what they hope to achieve which is a strong, united and advanced race we call Malaysians that will stand proud and tall in this world, they have driven a wedge between the races. It strangely resembled the divide and conquer strategy used by the British a century ago. Not only do they discriminate amongst races they do so among religions too. Churches, Temples and other places of worship which are not Islamic have either been torn down, delayed in approval for permit, or denied completely. They hold the power of fear over the citizens of Malaysia, either by rattling a keris or saying the Black Date, May 13, subtly they have set each and everyone of us at our throats thinking that if we're too busy noticing stuff like that, imagine all the crap they can get away with behind the curtains.

If that is not enough, politicians in Malaysia are no stranger to cronyism. Cronyism is basically the awarding of gifts by a master to his pet monkeys oops i meant followers. By doing so they are driving those truly talented individuals regardless of what blood flows through their vessels. Be it Iban, Kadazan, Kayan, Malay, Chinese, Melanau, Peranakan, Bidayuh, Murut, Indian, Orang Asli, Penans, Punans, Kelabits, Lun Bawang, Hindi ..... (notice how rich our country is in culture?) as long as you're not connected to the right person your dream will never come true.

The biggest aspect of the government's policy that truly disgusts me is the fact that they like or should I say obsessed in portraying a Bumiputran as a weakling being "oppressed by the other immigrant races". Tun Mahathir was the only UMNO politician who openly blasted those bumiputrans who refused to walk on their own two feet and are insistent on the government aides akin to a paralyzed man is to crutches. The rest saw this as a way to win votes. The long term effect is disastrous. Young bumiputrans will learn that they don't need to work for money because the government would take care of them. They can just sit at home and "shake leg" and let the money flow. As this happens, more and more non-bumiputran will migrate to neighboring countries either out of disgust or survival, usually its the latter.

I do not regard myself as a racist because I can't afford to be one. One cannot hate half of himself. I'm proud to be Malaysian and the only reason I said what I had to say is because the situation is going to reach a boiling point and we can still prevent it from happening.

Malaysia is a place like no other, and we can make it as a developed country, but not without the help of every single person out there regardless of race and religion. We need to do away with these stupid and brainless ideas like Proton Protection, Approved Permits, Cronyism, the Quota System and sending a Malaysian astronaut to the moon to play "batu seremban", paint batik and make teh tarik.

Lastly remember that the love for a country and the love for the government doesn't always mean the same thing.

P.S. If I had said anything that hurt the feelings of anyone, I apologize.