Umar Mukhtar
3:01pm Tue Jan 28th, 2003

Granted, that matters concerning the special position of the Malays as enshrined in the Constitution are not to be questioned. It is absolute and final, as emphasised by Umno Youth in its latest website editorial in response to the malaysiakini controversy. It is part of a social contract that gave birth to this nation.

However, constitutional provisions are meaningless without implementable policies that give effect to them. Hence, the previous New Economic Policy and the present National Development Policy, among others. But really, can such policies be formulated, monitored, and evaluated without discussion and feedback? Is commenting o­n the effectiveness of such policies in attaining their expected goals, especially by non-Malay Malaysians, tantamount to repudiating these rights? I surely think not, o­n both counts.

I am a Malay. As proud a human being as any. I do not accept help unless I need to. In the aftermath of colonial rule and economic policies, our people need help to place ourselves at par with migrant races who were more attuned to the colonial mercantile ways which also happened to be the ways of the modern world.

To survive the switch from an agrarian economy, with the concurrence of the other races, we granted ourselves this help. At a great psychological price, I might add. The real impact to the Malay psyche will not be known until generations to come.

Yet today, I am still unhappy about all these. Not because I want more, as some people would want to believe. But because these honourable goals, that have been accepted by most Malaysians, are not being achieved because of the leakages, corruption, and nepotism and other abuses that would naturally plague policies that are considered untouchable and almost sacrilegious to question.

I urge my friends at Umno Youth, if they really consider themselves as protectors of Malay pride, to ensure that we reach these goals as fast as we can, so that we don't need these special priviledges anymore. We can do that by checking those among ourselves who actually sabotage these efforts by going the short-term and selfish way. We protect our right by making sure they are not sold away to the highest bidder for a five percent cut. Even an idiot knows that is happening.

We can get there if we get the full cooperation of the other races; by explaining policies coherently. Like letting them know that if a Malay in a Mercedes Benz is buying a house at a certain discount, it is not just about a free lunch. It is about attracting him to make a commercially attractive decision that will result in him cohabitating a community which would otherwise be predominantly non-Malay. Otherwise where would that lead us as a multiracial society?

Can we not extend to them our age-old sense of human decency in their moments of frustration at what may appear to them as unfair treatment? Can we not spare a thought that perhaps the underprivileged of the other races do find it difficult to reconcile national policies with personal circumstances? Are we completely disregarding their role in building this nation to the level of prosperity we all enjoy together?

If we want other people to understand our needs and rights, we must also try to undertand their frustrations. It is not about right and wrong or weak and strong. It is about the human spirit. o­ne that helped found this beloved nations of ours.

We cannot get there by shutting other people up. They talk in the privacy of their communities anyway. Who are we kidding? And I certainly do not think we can get there by strutting around as protectors of the peace of the land as was mentioned in the said editorial and yet threathening to burn down buildings when our fragile ego is tested. Now, that is sedition, don't you think? Unless we enjoy special privileges in that area too...