Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Welcome!


Welcome to My Humble Blog!


This blog had been set up to share with readers some political issues in the pursuit of justice.


In the next few installments many more articles will be posted here, and I would be grateful for your comments in order for me to improve on future articles.

Concept of Malay Supremacy A Liability to Malays

By Daniel John Jambun

We are now in the middle of another a ruckus about Malay supremacy, a resurfacing of a rather old issue, but only that this time the exchanges have turned on a marked increase in aggressiveness and tones.

The term has now become a reminder of several images, the most unforgettable of which is of Datuk Hishamuddin, as the UMNO Youth Leader wielding first a normal-sized keris and in the following year a sword-sized one, with the warning, “Takkan Melayu hilang di dunia,” (the Malays shall surely not disappear from the world) and “Jangan cabar kami!” (Don’t challenge us!). He later ‘corrected’ it, saying, it was to symbolize protection for all Malaysians, and after the March 8 elections, apologized if what he did contributed to the electoral loss for the BN.

The concept of Malay supremacy has engendered various beliefs and attitudes among many of us. Among the Malays, the concept had become part of a strong paradigm in which they look upon themselves as the superior group, the unquestioned custodians of rights and privileges that supersede that of the rest. The Malay phrase for the term, “ketuanan Melayu” (which in fact should be more accurately translated as “Malay lordship”) implies privileged superiority, and automatic lordship over the rest of us. It also means that Malaysia is a Malay country, founded upon the long tradition of Malay rule that date back to the establishment of the Malacca sultanate by Parameswara. The independence of Malaya in 1957 was celebrated with acceptance of the ‘social contract’ that Malays held preeminence over the rest. This understanding had brought about a certain attitude in which the Chinese and Indians are continued to be looked upon as immigrants who are now here under the accommodation of the Malays. When Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak agreed to come into equal partnership to form a new federation called Malaysia in 1963, the idea of Malay supremacy was not stated as a part of any understanding but was implied as an understanding that was to be read between the lines in the 20 Points agreement. In fact the worry about the loss of Malay superiority through loss of majority in the Malaysia demographic was the principal factor that led to the expulsion of Singapore from the federation. Since 1957, the idea of Malay supremacy remained an unquestioned understanding--until recently.

Even before the March 8 elections the MCA had made overtly questioned the issue, at one time reminding at one time that around 80 percent of the Malaysia income tax is paid by the Chinese. But the decibel in the expression against the idea of Malay supremacy noticeably increased after Anwar Ibrahim, himself once seen as an ‘ultra-Malay’, courageously introduced the idea that ‘ketuanan rakyat’ (the people’s supremacy) with the clear message that the idea of Malays supremacy is obsolete and no longer relevant in the context of the globalized society of the new millennium. It was a daring step for a Malay leader to denounce the long-held and treasured concept of his own people, in a clear self-rebranding to assure the people that he is a leader for all Malaysians, in line with PKR’s multiracial concept.

The March 8 elections showed the Malaysia acceptance of the new idea of people’s supremacy, as shown by the tsunami effect which transformed Malaysian politics. The Malays themselves opted to vote for the Pakatan Rakyat, sending the message that they wanted change. Tun Mahathir in one statement said that Sammy Vellu (as an Indian) should be grateful (for having been so privileged in Malaysia), causing the later to rebut strongly, asking what it was that he was supposed to be thankful for as a Malaysian who had contributed so much to the development of the country.

Now we hear so many national leaders, mostly from the BN itself, questioning again the idea of Malay supremacy, some bringing up again that the prickly issue about Malays being immigrants too. Lim Kit Siang had recently claimed that ketuanan or lordship implies the necessary existence of hamba (slaves or servant). Pro-Malay groups have come forth to reaffirm Malay supremacy with one intellectuals grouping led by Dr. Zainal Kling going even to the extent of saying that even Sabah and Sarawak actually belonged to the Malays because the states were at one time under the Brunei empire, which is like saying that Malacca today belongs to the Portuguese, or that Malaysia today belongs to the Japanese of the British. Even the royals such as Raja Nazrin Shah of Perak have come forward to say that Malay supremacy should not be questioned. And a member of the Negeri Sembilan royalty had just called for a reinstatement of royal immunity in Malaysia, which PKR has pledged to fight for.

But we can no longer deny that the idea Malay supremacy is now seriously under fire, and this won’t be the last of it. Many may not accept the reality but the idea is indeed obsolete, irrelevant and counter-productive not just for Malaysians but for the Malays as well within the hard realities of the new millennium. It is now very clear that non-Malay Malaysians are no longer willing to be seen as subservient to the Malays, preferring equality in every sense. The idea of the Malays being ‘supreme’ and being more privileged smacks of arrogance and causes other Malaysians to be slighted and hurt. It actually goes against the very idea of unity and goodwill (muhibah), social harmony, competitiveness, level playing field, mutual respect, even justice and fairness. It is clearly a social liability standing in the way of the nation’s progress. With one race claiming more superior than others, how do we expect to become a proud and great nation built on the genuine struggles based not on privileges but on merits?

The other rationale for rejecting this concept is the fact that in the progressive nations of the world, the idea of one racial group being the privileged race doesn’t exist. In the progressive egalitarian societies, the root of progress is the open and competitive environment offering a level playing field for all. It has also been confirmed that all of all the affirmative programs which have ever been tried in any part of the world, none has ever succeeded in helping any group. As a matter of fact, such programs have brought declines in the socio-economic performances of many groups.

The question is, how long can the idea withstand the change that is now sweeping the nation? Various factors, not all of them political, are now challenging the very idea of Malay supremacy. The number one factor is not politics but economics. Can the Malaysian social contract of Malay supremacy continue to hold its ground in the face of the risen and rising economic superiority of the immigrant groups such as the Chinese and Indians? New aggressive immigrants groups have already entered the Malaysian economic scene: Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indonesians, and even Nigerians. The Indonesians too are Malays, and they are going to double benefit from the social contract by gaining economic momentum through aggressive competitiveness and government affirmative programs, so even in this case the Malaysian Malays are going to lose to them. Even if the non-Malay groups were to willingly accommodate the Malays, and sacrifice their full potentials and social positions, how long can the Malay pretend that they are a superior group when in fact they are the most dependant group in the nation?

Can the Malays continue to claim privilege in the face of the economic superiority of the non-Malays, and expect to be spoon-fed with gifts and subsidies through affirmative programs such as the NEP? Can the Malays expect to progress to a world-class race by continuing to be protected from open competition through soft loans, ready scholarship, and automatic employments? Will the Malays benefit from educational and socio-economic policies which continue to give them preferential treatments, resulting in them losing the initiative, creativity and hard work while the rest of Malaysians continue to move ahead under the spur of the need to survive?

Are the Malays saying they are willing to become an inferior race by continuing to act and pretend they are superior? It’s high time they realize that the idea of Malay supremacy is not benefiting them. They may find it very hard to accept but in reality, the concept and practice of it is actually a threat to their future in the long term.

VALUECAP RESCUE PROPOSAL A MISTAKE

By Daniel John Jambun

In the interest for transparency and wisdom in our country’s financial management, we need to seriously rethink the proposal by the Minister of Finance, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to inject a rescue package of RM5 billion to purchase undervalued stocks for Valuecap Sdn. Bhd., purportedly to shore up the KLSE.

A main concern about this rescue package is the fact that the RM5 billion will come from the Employee’s Provident Fund. Our immediate reaction is to question the rationale of dipping our fingers into the EPF, which is a fund that belongs directly to the nation’s employees. Is it proper that the government simply takes any part of this fund for the purpose of salvaging one company?

It is not the first time that the EPF has been utilized by the government as a source of funds for rescue financing. In 1996, RM500 million was taken to rescue the ailing Perwaja, which since 1994 was collapsing under a mounting debt of US3 billion. The in 2001, RM1.9 billion was taken from EPF to rescue Time Dot Com—almost 200% of the amount taken for Perwaja. Now, the RM5 billion intended for Valuecap comprises a substantial amount compared to the previous two.

Several very important considerations arise in this case, the least of which is not the high risk in subjecting the people’s savings to the high risks of volatile stock fluctuations. The original intention of the EPF was for employees to set aside savings for their post-retirement years. In other words, the EPF is their life. If the government can extract RM5 billion today, it will be given the understanding that it can do the same in greater amount tomorrow. A strong message to oppose this trend must be sent now.

We would at least feel some sort of consolation if we have any certainty of good return of investment with this undertaking. But such a certainty does not exist. What we can foresee is the high possibility of this turning out to be another error of judgment that will make another red entry in the history book. Because the probability of wastage through loss looms high, we need to ask: Who will be held responsible if this loan from EPF is not repaid? And more importantly, who will suffer most from the consequences of such a loss?

A problem with the sizable amount of RM5 billion is that it pales in comparison to the total value of the KLSE which is currently around RM689 billion. This ratio tells us that it is very doubtful if the RM5 billion will make any significant impact in stimulating the KLSE. The small drop in ocean will not lead to any multiplier effect.

Another problem with the proposed fund injection is that we inevitably have to ask if there is any other hidden agenda behind it. While the purported motivation is to stimulate the sliding KLSE, could it possibly be that certain parties would benefit from the RM5 billion? Who would be in the position to gain with such a huge fund injection into Valuecap? It is public knowledge Valuecap is owing its three stockholders (Khazanah, Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pencen and Permodalan Nasional Bhd) RM5.1 billion that was due to be repaid in 2006, but was given a three-year grace period to February 2009. The similar amount of this debt and the intended amount to be injected from EPF certainly raises a lot questions. Could it be possible that the EPF will be use as payouts to the three stockholders? Without the fund injection, won't Valuecap be in jeopardy of toppling over?

In the new political scenario where the people pay greater attention to accountability and good governance, the federal government needs to seriously change its attitude and not do anything that jeopardizes that people’s interest, let alone their life saving fund. It must be recognized that there is an unwritten sanctity implicitly attached to the EPF, and this must be guarded by the government with a deep moral responsibility.
WORKS MINISTER MOHD ZIN SHOULD LIST OUT RM17 BLN PROJECTS…

I am challenging Federal Works Minister, Mohd Zin, to list out all the infrastructural projects worth RM17 billion that he had recently claimed would be carried out in Sabah from now till 2012.

Unless subtstantiated with a solid facts, what Mohd Zin had said is tantamount to misleading if he could not prove to the people the full list of RM17 billion projects to be carried out in Sabah, and their beneficiaries.

This kind of announcement of huge funds is smacked of Barisan Nasional’s arrogance. We do not yet know the truthfulness of all this big promises. They mentioned big figures for short period. Are all these for real?

I want to highlight just one example of their old tricks. The asphalting of the Kokol road from Menggatal town was approved during the 7th Malaysian Plan (1996-2000) but only now at the very end of 9th Malaysian Plan, the road is finally being asphalted !

There were many projects and funds announced by Federal leaders during the Ijok by-election last year, but until now those projects are yet to be seen by the Ijok folks. Ijok is a joke.

Now hundreds of millions of ringgits are being announced for Pensiangan, just because of an impending by-election there. If the Federal leaders are sincere to help, they should have completed many projects there long time ago.

Nabawan is second only to Pitas in term of poverty, why must wait for a by-election to act and help big?
The poeple ought to read why even BN MP Ghapur Salleh is skeptical on BN promises...
Having said that, of course we do welcome whatever help and projects for the Pensiangan folks. They are in dire need, regardless of their political affiliation.
In fact, Pakatan Rakyat has been successful to “force” the federal to offer more to Sabah and Sarawak...