10  theSun | MONDAY MAY 4 2009

speak up!
Race Relations in Malaysia: Current scenario

Respect and humility

hold the keys
by K.K. Tan
THE major factors identi-
fied in the previous article,
“Playing the race card” (April
30), were instrumental in
worsening race relations in
Malaysia in recent years to an
alarming level. The negative
signs appear to be more than
the positive ones while some
signals from certain leaders
and recent events appear to
be mixed.
The main race-based par-
ties are still grappling with
how to re-invent themselves
and stay relevant to an
increasingly well-informed
electorate which appears to
be more comfortable adopt-
ing a multiracial outlook.
Unresolved religious is-
sues threaten to aggravate
the situation. The authorities
concerned should be sensi-
tive to all religious faiths and
not adopt a biased, dogmatic
and bureaucratic attitude in
resolving such disputes.
The mainstream and In-
ternet media have been more
open and less inhibited in
putting forward arguments
from various viewpoints on
any racial issue. This public
debate will test the growing
maturity of Malaysians, given
that there will be chauvinis-
tic elements seeking to sow
discord and animosity by pit-
ting one ethnic group against
another.
The last general election
and subsequent by-elections
have shown that the elector-
ate in general is less likely
to be influenced than before
by those, including politi-
cians, playing the race card.
But the danger is still there,
especially when the country
is facing economic difficul-
ties, which can provide fertile
ground for race issues to be
exploited.
Recent statements by some
of our rulers and our prime
minister on the race situa-
tion are very encouraging as
they serve as a reminder and
warning not to stoke the fires
of racial conflict further. We
ignore them at our peril.
The impartial position
of the rulers on this issue is
important because they are
the sovereigns and protectors
of rights for ALL Malaysians
regardless of their racial, reli-
Beyond
Race
A new perspective
gious or ethnic backgrounds.
On March 5, our former
king, the Raja of Perlis, Tu-
anku Syed Sirajuddin Putra
Syed Jamalullail, said that
“statements by various par-
ties on the supremacy and
privileges of a certain race,
religious rights and the sov-
ereignty of the rulers require
an approach that is free of
emotion, elucidation based
on facts and an openness
that rests on reality. I would
like to emphasise that all citi-
zens, irrespective of race, are
masters of this country…”
He added: “…the rulers are
the protectors of all citizens,
irrespective of political ideol-
ogy, race and faith.”
On March 9, Yang diPer-
tuan Agong Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin reinforced
the need for equality for all
by saying that “Islam makes
it obligatory to protect and
ensure equal rights for all
strata of society regardless of
whether they are Muslim or
non-Muslims.”
Then on April 20, the Sul-
tan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad
Shah, said that “I always pray
that the bond between the
races can be strengthened
as this is the only way to
preserve a peaceful Pahang
and Malaysia.”
As recently as April 24,
the ruler of Negri Sembilan,
Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku
Munawar talked about the
role of politicians on racial
unity by saying that it would
not benefit anyone if politi-
cians played the race card
to gain support; they should
instead educate the people on
the importance of preserving
racial harmony. He urged
politicians to put aside their
differences and work collec-
tively towards strengthening
racial ties. He added that the
economic problems required
us to come together and face
these challenges irrespective
of race, religion or belief.
Our new prime minister,
Datuk Seri Najib Abdul
Razak, perhaps sensing that
racial polarisation has gone
too far, came out quickly
with the “1Malaysia” concept
to stress the “oneness” of
our racial diversity and the
multiracial approach needed.
The government seems to
recognise the urgency needed
to address the deteriorating
race situation. The National
Unity and Integration De-
partment has also moved
back to the Prime Minister’s
Office giving it more clout
and importance.
Najib’s statement that no
Malaysian should consider
himself a second-class citizen
nor feel sidelined or left be-
hind in the nation’s progress
has been timely. He added:
“Let it be known that all
citizens of this country have
their rights and responsibili-
ties as outlined in the Federal
Constitution. Citizenship is
not only about one’s rights
but also about responsibility
towards the nation. No par-
ties should be overly zealous
in demanding their rights
and forget their responsibili-
ties as citizens of Malaysia.”
This message must surely be
directed at those who have
been responsible for causing
many citizens to feel hurt,
insulted and alienated.
When we talk about race
relations, we often tend to
forget about the people of
Sarawak and Sabah who
are also bumiputras. We in
the peninsula have much
to learn from our fellow
East Malaysian citizens,
who’ve managed to get
along extremely well despite
the numerous and diverse
ethnicities. Respect and
humility appear to be the
hallmarks with which they
treat each other; not for them
the chauvinistic champion-
ing of one particular race or
the adherence to a dogmatic
and narrow-minded mind-
set when it comes to religious
beliefs.
The writer is the CEO of a
think-tank and strategic con-
sultancy firm based in Kuala
Lumpur. He can be contacted
at kktan22@hotmail.com
Next:
‘Race Relations in
Malaysia: The path ahead’
will appear tomorrow.

letter
letters@thesundaily.com

Mark cemetery on heritage map

I REFER to “World tender to develop Fort
Cornwallis” (April 29). If Fort Cornwallis is to
be developed as an iconic monument to pro-
mote George Town’s inner city, which is listed
as a World Heritage site by Unesco, there’s
another site of great interest in old George
Town that should be placed on the heritage
map: the Jewish Cemetery on Jalan Zainal
Abidin, a small sidestreet off Jalan Burmah.
This cemetery is the oldest large Jewish
cemetery in East Asia. It was established in
1805 and the grounds are substantial (3,530 sq
m) and well-maintained. Photos can be seen
at www.worldisround.com/articles/77559/.
This is the oldest extensive historical cem-
etery in the country and yet, does not appear
on any map of the city.
Residents of George Town can be proud of
such an extraordinary place in the very heart
of their old town. The cemetery deserves rec-
ognition to enliven the structure of tourism
in the city and ensure its conservation as an
integral part of the island’s history.
A.B.
Kuala Lumpur