Malaysia ruling party says Malays must drop 'siege mentality'
Malaysia's majority Muslims should abandon their "siege mentality" and aggressive rhetoric that has alienated minority Chinese and Indians, the ruling party's youth leader said Wednesday.
The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which leads a multiracial coalition, is holding annual talks aimed at regaining public confidence, particularly among minorities who swung to the opposition in a 2008 election.
UMNO youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin told delegates that a change in mindset was required if Malays, who make up 60 percent of the population, want to continue to lead the nation.
"For too long, Malays and UMNO have been caught in a mind-set that is negative and overly defensive," he said in a speech.
"We feel as though we are constantly under siege, and all our efforts appear to be channeled towards protecting the Malay special position. I urge Malays, beginning with the youth, to get out of this siege mentality.
"We can continue with the chest-thumping rhetoric, warning other races never to challenge this or that... but, we must ask ourselves, is this what Malaysians -- Malays included -- really want from UMNO?"
Khairy was the first youth leader in several years not to wave the "keris", a traditional Malay dagger, at the UMNO congress. The gesture, linked with ultra-nationalist rhetoric, has been seen as highly ethnically divisive.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who took over in April after his predecessor was forced to quit over a disastrous performance in the 2008 elections, also said this week that UMNO should be seen as the party of all Malaysians.
"Although UMNO is a party for Malays and Bumiputeras, it should be allowed to take charge of the interests of all people," he told state media. 'Bumiputera', or 'son of the soil', is a term for indigenous Malaysians.
However, Najib stopped short of saying that UMNO membership would be opened to non-Malays. Khairy also made it clear that UMNO would continue to advance the cause of Malays.
"A change to this new path does not mean we forego the Malay agenda... However, we must pursue these things based on two principles: justice and compassion, especially when dealing with other races," Khairy said.
"Our national agenda that is grounded not in the narrow concept of Malay dominance, but on the concept of Malay leadership -- magnanimous as well as both just and compassionate."
Malays have dominated politics in Malaysia since independence in 1957. The Chinese community controls much of the economy, while Indians complain they run a distant third in terms of wealth, education and employment.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
Thursday October 15, 2009
Malays must discard siege mentality, says Khairy
KUALA LUMPUR: Malays must discard the “siege mentality” as it is holding them back from real progress and achievement, said UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said while Malay rights and privileges were important, UMNO and the Malays must move away from a defensive setting where they think their rights are under threat.
“Malays should equip themselves with their own civilisational confidence, that is, confidence in their own cultural ability to face the future,” he said in his bold and hard-hitting maiden speech when opening the wing’s general assembly here yesterday.
Enjoy your meal: UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin chatting with Wanita Umno delegates during the UMNO Youth Hari Raya open house at Dewan Tun Razak, Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday. — AZHAR MAHFOF/ The Star
“This is the new Malay dilemma, the generational question of our time which must be addressed.”
Noticeably missing during the opening ceremony of the wing’s assembly was the keris, which had caused controversy over the last few years.
“Are we going to defend symbols for their sake or are we bold and courageous enough to accept the reality that there needs to be a change in vision and mechanism to see Malays forge ahead?” Khairy questioned.
“I believe the answer lies in the latter.”
Speaking of Malay leadership rather than Malay dominance, Khairy said quotas were to help them and not to be a “lifeline unto perpetuity”.
“The Malay vision is not about defending quotas indefinitely but to stand proud seeing Malays succeed on their own strengths,” he added.
Khairy added it was his dream to one day see institutions of higher learning filled with Malays not because of quota but because of merit.
Stressing that UMNO Youth was at a critical juncture, Khairy urged Malays to accept competition and meritocracy, reject the culture of envy and jealousy among themselves and instead assist and encourage each other.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia vision of unity, he said the new direction does not mean foregoing the Malay agenda.
“UMNO would still defend Islam, the Malay rulers and Malay language.” he said.
He said it would be unfair to let Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak shoulder the burden on his own.
Khairy also took jabs at PAS, DAP and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom he called a political chameleon who should be mindful of his “sins”.
He said Anwar was like “the pot calling the kettle black” when he branded UMNO leaders as corrupt, voracious and racist.
He said the PKR leader behaved as though he was a beacon of integrity but his past would forever shadow him in the political arena.
He said PAS would sacrifice the country if it came to power and mocked DAP for creating so much publicity over the setting up of one Malay branch after 40 years of Lim Kit Siang as a parliamentarian.
The Star
No comments:
Post a Comment