Moving Beyond BN’s Racial Politics

In case you missed this news regarding Khairy Jamaluddin’s attendance at the MCA Youth AGM yesterday – I certainly didn’t see the English or Malay press reporting it – here is the report from Malaysiakini:

The outspoken Khairy Jamaluddin was ‘speechless’ today when asked to comment on the harsh criticisms from the MCA Youth which seemed to target Umno.

Despite sitting through the two-hour-long opening ceremony of the annual MCA Youth meet in Malacca today, the Umno Youth deputy leader was in the dark on the content of the MCA leaders’ speeches as they were mostly delivered in Mandarin.

MCA Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai in a fiery speech said the movement will not compromise extreme racism and accused certain quarter of stirring up the Chinese community’s sentiment.

In an apparent reference to Umno Youth, Liow – while leading his committee members to wave copies of the Federal Constitution – also said people should wave the constitution instead of brandishing the keris, a traditional Malay dagger…

When the opening ceremony was over and journalists were all ready to ask Khairy for comments on the speeches, the only response from him was that he has to read the speech first.

Asked to comment on Liow’s remarks on waving the constitution instead of the keris, Khairy replied: “Did he say that? I have to see how it was phrased, I don’t understand Mandarin.”

To other questions on Liow’s comments, he reiterated that he has to read the full text before responding.

Asked whether he has received a translated version of Liow’s speech, as claimed by the MCA Youth head, Khairy replied: “No… ehhh… we are getting it.” …

Immediately after Khairy’s brief chat with the media, he returned to the VIP guest room and was overheard asking what Liow had said in his speech such as the remark on the keris.

Explaining, the MCA Youth chief was heard responding that he only informed the delegates on “what had happened”.

At this juncture, a MCA official immediately delivered a copy of the translated Bahasa Malaysia speech to Khairy, which was taken by an Umno Youth member. The brief encounter was believed to end in an atmosphere of embarrassment.

This is a prime example of how BN works. UMNO Youth leader waves keris ‘to protect Malay rights’ in the UMNO Assembly. In the MCA Assembly, the MCA Youth talks warmly about multiracial cooperation in the Bahasa Malaysia / English address before condemning the act in Mandarin.

This tradition of divide and rule is a long-standing one in Malaysia. Biro Tatanegara facilitators stirring up Malay racial sentiments in special sessions with students. Chinese politicians stirring up racial sentiments in Chinese weddings. Is this the best way for Malaysia to move forward?

I’m no blind idealist that think we can eradicate our religious, racial and cultural differences. There are bound to be different perspectives formed by our diverse identities. But we need to discuss these differences, to explore on what points we disagree, and how we can resolve it.

Undoubtedly, playing to the gallery will rally your audience, and might benefit you in the short term. But at what cost? Our founding fathers of all races and ideological persuasions, left and right, fought hard for a common nation for all. We seem to take it for granted.

There are other parties that can reach a certain position much easily as they cater to a particular constituency. Again, I do not think think is the way to move forward as Malaysia’s diverse nature means the ability to reach out across the different communities.

Therefore I’ve been pleased that in Keadilan we’ve enjoyed much freer and frank discussions over potentially controversial issues. Sure, the outcome may not please everyone, but even at a working level I’ve realised that there is a greater tendency to ask what the Other thinks.

Of course, there is a long way before every level and member in the party can reach this level. But this is better than the ruling party when even the leaders fail to discuss properly.