Anon
3:13pm Thu Jan 30th, 2003
 

I followed the raid on malaysiakini with interest. What struck me the most is the inability of rational citizens and organisations to discuss and argue without resorting to underhanded methods. It also saddens me to read the way Malaysians of different ethnic identities argue and their concrete positioning that is supplemented with less than concrete reasoning.

Umno Youth's action should be criticised and yet, in some horrible way, empathised. Theirs is a problem of political naivete and restrictions in ideological challenges.

Let me first respond to "Similarities between ‘new Americans’ and bumiputera" and the letter which prompted it, "No apologies for the Malaysian way".

The writer that defended the "Malaysian way" made a grave argumentory error. He attempted to argue that Malaysians of all races are happy and moving o­n equal footing. According to the writer, "The last time I looked, all races were busily striding towards a new economic era which we foresee will happen in 2020." The writer should realise that his perception does not equate reality. He did not provide evidence for his comments.

It is expected that the writer cannot support such a ridiculous comment. Further, his emphasis o­n Australia's policies is a red herring. The writer should have concentrated o­n Malaysia and its policies instead of creating a distraction. The old adage, "Two wrongs do not make a right" should have been repeated into his ear.

But the response by Petrof, equally, cannot be substantiated, and is if not worse for its opening up of a point of attack.

In discussing American history's relation with modern Malaysia, Petrof should have looked into Malaysian history too. He should have discussed the role of the Chinese merchants and their junks in the attack and defeat of Malacca. Without these merchants' aid, the Portuguese would not have been able to penetrate the fortress. Malacca and subsequently, Malaysia's colonialisation is due to a large part, to the Chinese merchant's actions.

His comments o­n Malays being "Bostonian Americans" lack support. The Malays have been known to populate the Malay Peninsula for close to a thousand years. There is evidence of Malay settlement from as far back as the 13th century. And even then, it does not mean that Malays were in the peninsula from that time.

The evidence does not rule out the possibility that Malays were in the peninsula prior to the 13th, 12th or even the 11th century. The evidence points to Malays being in the peninsula not merely to set up a trading post, but as settlers. Whether they were here as long as any other claimant, is arguable.

Petrof should have confined his arguments to the need for equal treatment instead of a satirical portrayal that is problematic in various arguments.

However, that does not mean that Umno Youth is justified in taking police action. It is a cowardly action.

But the reality of Malaysian politics does not allow the organisation to discuss racial issues openly. It cannot bring forward evidence of betrayal or rights to being indigenous.

What is needed is a rethinking o­n approaches. Umno Youth needs to exercise wisdom before it acts. It has failed to do so now.