Dr. M & Race-based Party - Ir Khalid Samad

oleh Ir Khalid Samad - Ahli Parlimen Shah Alam ( PAS )

The Perdana Leadership Foundation organised a discourse series on 'Bangsa Malaysia' in Putrajaya last week. I did not attend it myself; however, reading from some of the remarks made by Dr. M, prompt me to write something. I was somewhat bemused by a number of his statements, particularly in the article posted by Rocky's Bru: If PAS is not a race-based party ....

After March 8, we are more racial than ever. Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told those who say the last General Election was a vote to reject race-based parties and politics to stop deluding themselves. "We have become more racial than ever since the last General Election. We debate about race every day, more than before," he said. In an off-the-cuff lecture on Bangsa Malaysia in Putrajaya this morning, he said if the outcome of the March general election was a rejection of racial politics, there would be less talk about race today. Instead, race has become a central issue since March. That election has stimulated discussion about little else other than race.

If there is more talk about race than ever, then it is the work of UMNO who wishes to revive racial sentiments and bring it to the forefront. This is as they see race politics as their saviour as they find themselves virtually completely abandoned by the non-Malays.

"And if PAS is not a race-based party, then I am not Mahathir Bin Mohamad," he said.

PAS is not raced based although Dr. M wishes it to be. He wants all to think that PAS is only hiding behind the name of Islam as UMNO has been doing all this while because he simply cannot fathom the concept of a political party based on religion pursuing objectives defined by the religion. So he quickly concludes that PAS is no different from UMNO, Malay and chauvinistic but hiding behind the name of Islam.

That is his own biased, prejudiced and stunted view of Malaysian politics. PAS’s commitment to Islamic principles, free from any form of racial chauvinism is becoming increasingly clear for all to see. As far as “then I am not Mahathir Bin Mohamed” is concerned, I think our Dr. M has been suffering from a serious bout of selective amnesia as he is currently condemning money politics, corruption and all those things which has made him famous in the eyes of many. So it is nothing strange for him to forget who he is.

I would be in a similar state of mind as well if after 22 years I find my contribution nothing short of money politics, corruption, cronyism and nepotism. I believe no one has contributed as much to the destruction of the Malaysian potential as Dr. Mahathir. He can only look back on his legacy with shame. Is it any wonder then for him to wish to be someone else?

DAP not a race-based party? "Apart from some window-dressing, it's still the old DAP".

DAP is not race based. The fact that it has not been able to attract more Malay and Indian support speaks volumes on the effectiveness of the BN propaganda machine. It has been very effective in portraying the DAP as such, just as it was effective in portraying PAS as an Islamic extremist party all this while. I believe we may start seeing more Malays and Indians joining the DAP in the near future.

And PKR? "It is said to be Islamic, it's also pro-Hindraf, and pro-Chinese educationists. But that's because there is this man with many faces who leads the party. After him, who will lead the PKR? If it is led by a non-Malay, it will not have the support of the Malays."

Does being Islamic necessitate one to be anti-Hindraf and anti-Chinese educationists? This shows the lack of understanding which Dr. M has of the issues and of Islam itself. The Islamic position on these issues are best portrayed by PAS who are actively involved in the campaign against ISA and the right for mother tongue education or vernacular schools. As far as the future of the PKR and it being led by a non-Malay is concerned, let’s let the members decide. The issues raised transcends race.

Bangsa Malaysia without Bahasa Malaysia? Dr M also chided those who clamour for a Bangsa Malaysia but are unwilling to give due regards to the national language. These people, he said, should emulate Obama and children of migrant races in the US, Switzerland and Australia.

"Obama, who must be in some ways a descendant of a slave, is today US President. The blacks had tribes in Africa but after years in the US they all speak English. English is their mothertongue. The speak English at work, at school and at home. The same as the migrant Jews. They became naturalised American citizens. But they accpet that as Americans they must speak English.

"First I do not see people objecting to the Bahasa Malaysia as the national language. Every nation needs a common language for its citizens to be able to communicate with one another. However, the campaign for its use must be presented in a non-chauvanistic manner.

Secondly the government’s own commitment to its use is somewhat wanting due its own flip-flop attitude as shown vis-à-vis the question of teaching Maths and Science in English.

Thirdly, not all Black Americans are offsprings of slaves, silly!

Fourth, as anyone who has been in America would know, it is a multicultural and also multi-lingual nation. The acceptance of English as the common language is understood and accepted by all due to the non-chauvinistic manner it is implemented.

WalLahu 'Alam