Daily Lessons from Life 21 October 2010 - Malaysian PM warns against race debate

Channel NewsAsia 21 October 2010 - "Malaysian PM warns against race debate

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak delivers his opening speech at Malaysia's ruling party United Malays National Organization (UMNO) general assembly in Kuala Lumpur

Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday moved to quell a debate over the rights of majority Malays, saying it could cause racial conflict that would destroy the nation's achievements.

Multicultural Malaysia was founded half a century ago on an agreement that Muslims Malays and indigenous tribes would be handed special privileges in return for citizenship for ethnic Chinese and Indians.

The 'social contract' which effectively acknowledged Malay control over government, and a positive discrimination policy introduced later to close the wealth gap with Chinese who dominate the economy, are increasingly resented.

But Najib, who is gearing up for elections expected next year, called for an end to a debate which he said had hurt Malays and threatened to return the country to ethnic violence not seen for decades."

I am not going to give advice or take side but merely comment on lessons to learn on this story since I always believed that the fate of a nation is to be decided by its citizens.

It is interesting to note also that he mentioned about what use are the quotas or special rights given to the Malay IF the race does not become more independent and self-reliance and able to compete with the other Malaysians who are the minority?

Lessons for me are:

1. it is the Pink Elephant in the room that SOMEONE pretended NOT TO SEE. It is not working for the Malay as a whole. Some Malay became very rich and powerful and decided to clinch on it while many Malay are still stuck at where they were with some making progress. That is why some of the Malay are losing faith in the ruling party;

2. it is a known fact that when the Pink Elephant that SOMEONE pretended NOT TO SEE is a cancerous cell, ignoring it will NOT stop it from growing and spreading and eventual destroy the rest of the good cells in the body. Rather than not debate about it, SOMEONE need to discuss it in a non-emotional manner. An almost impossible task IF that SOMEONE happened to be the one who will LOSE a lot of the wealth and power. This is so if that SOMEONE are NOT interested in the GREATER good of the Malay and Malaysia. Like they say: the stake is too high!! For them!!!;

3. it is my wish that our neighbour has peace and stability so that there is prosperity in the neighbourhood. That ultimate decision will have to be made by the people of Malaysia. Will it revert back to racial riots and bloodshed? Will it be status quo? Will it be change with reasons? Only time will tell.

p/s: One thing for sure: His grand vision to build a 100-storey power in KL does not help anyone to understand why would that be a part of peace, stability and prosperity?