Will it boil down to 'them versus us'?

Is the show of strength and bluster by Umno delegates going to have a lasting impact?

From Monday till yesterday, most of the party delegates who took to the rostrum, made it known publicly that the Malays would no longer tolerate any form of threats.

It was a strong message: Don’t test us or else...(What ??)

Many speakers accused leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties of questioning the Malay rights while almost all blamed the Chinese business community for "taking more than what they needed".

"Our tolerance... made those who dared to challenge the Malays and Islam become bolder as they felt no action would be taken against them."

Most delegates used the term "Malay rights" interchangeably with "Malay dominance" and "social contract".

"Datuk Hisham has unsheathed his keris, waved his keris, kissed his keris. We want to ask Datuk Hisham, when is he going to use it?"

In reference to what he alleged as the Education Ministry’s weakness in dealing with demands from the Chinese language schools, Hashim said force must be used against those who refused to abide by the social contract.

Just a few hours before, Hishammuddin told reporters that harsh criticism against non-Malays by delegates would not affect the cordial relationship among BN members.

"This is normal. They have a job to do, we have a job to do too.

"But the fundamental issue is our intention and objectives."

Yesterday’s debate on the economy, fear of non-Malays, especially the Chinese, taking over the Malay slice of cake dominated the assembly.

Will all this venting of anger invite a negative reaction from those outside the hall?

Will it reinforce stereotypes and prejudices? Will it drive a wedge between Malays and non-Malays?

The answer to the three questions is YES.

Researcher Liew Chin Tong believes the anti-Chinese feelings are building up among Umno members although Abdullah is trying very hard to tone down the situation, with his reform agenda.

"It is as if we are going back to the 1980s," he said.

"The former premier managed to make Singapore and the US our enemies. Now we are back to distrusting each other."

Liew believes the "them versus us" rhetoric could lead to further polarisation.

"People who were vilified will feel offended. But I don’t think we’re violent.

"Most probably people will express their views during elections.

"For outsiders, they might not want to invest in Malaysia, believing something is wrong here while some Malaysians may leave the country," he added.

Political analyst Amir Sari believes that Umno delegates’ anger towards non-Malays could help obscure Chinese organisations gain some prominence and push some Chinese chauvinists to the fore.(NST-Wan Hamidi Hamid)

Author of Asli research also comes under fire At the Umno General Assembly. DELEGATE after delegate took to the stage and spoke against any move to question the social contract.

Many of them trained their guns on the Asian Strategic Leadership Institute — the think-tank behind the controversial study on Bumiputera equity ownership.

Several Umno representatives targeted Dr Lim Teck Ghee, the author of the report which suggested that Bumiputera corporate equity had reached 45 per cent.

But outside the hall, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar attempted to inject some moderation into the strong language employed by some Umno delegates.

For a start, he said that their views did not necessarily reflect the government’s position.

"Let us not rekindle very sensitive issues that can create dissension among Malaysians of different communities here. We cannot afford that."


Nothing new in Abdullah's speech - Mukhriz

The son of former Prime Minister, Dato' Mukhriz Mahathir said he was a 'little bit' disappointed with the Umno presidential speech at its AGM yesterday, claiming it offered nothing new.

"I think it's an address he delivered last year. I was hoping for something new. Perhaps, he has other ideas.

"We were hoping that there would be some kind of attempt for reconciliation, some attempt to specifically answer the questions,”"he said, when met by reporters.

On whether his views were being shaped by that of his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Mukhriz said: "I guess I am not just obliged to support my father. I believe 100 percent what he (Dr Mahathir) says and the way he feels about things."

Mukhriz said they wanted answers so that they could move on and support every decision the Abdullah-led Government made.

"We are open to be convinced. We are waiting for answers. We are waiting for good explanations why things are. But until now – it's been six to eight months – we are still waiting."

Mukhriz said the mere mention of his mother's (Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali's) name got a huge round of applause from the floor.

"Imagine if my father had attended this meeting or if his name was mentioned. We don’t know how the delegates would react.

"So, maybe that's the reason why his name was kept out in most part of the (Abdullah's) speech.

On the gesture made by the Prime Minister asking delegates to pray for the good health of Dr Mahathir, Mukhriz said this was appropriate and sincere.

Dato' Paduka Marina Mahathir when contacted after the opening said that there was less semangat (enthusiasm) compared to previous assemblies.

"For me, there was a lot more rah-rah previously," she said, adding that she attended the opening to accompany her mother.(umno - reform)

Leaders hit out at Mukhriz.

Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Mukhriz's remark was extreme and an embarrassment for the movement.

He said it was sad that Mukhriz had made such a remark when he was a senior executive council member of the movement, adding that it was his (Mukhriz's) personal stand and sentiment.

“On behalf of Umno Youth, I would like to state that Mukhriz's remark is not reflective of Umno Youth's stand and view. We have expressed our undivided support for the president and Umno Youth has recognised the contributions made by Tun (Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former Umno president and former prime minister),” he told reporters after attending the dinner hosted by Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for delegates to the Umno general assembly.

Hishammuddin said he would have to reconsider the position of Mukhriz in the Umno Youth executive council line-up if more such remarks came from him.

Umno Putera chief Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim accused Mukhriz of being the source of the rift between the Prime Minister and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“He clapped his hands when he was listening to Pak Lah’s speech but gave a twisted statement when he came out.”

Supreme Council member Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Mukhriz had insulted the party president, adding that his remark smacked of hatred for Abdullah.

“Because Mukhriz is thick with prejudice, the hatred has closed his heart and mind so much that he could not see the depth in Pak Lah’s speech.”

Datuk Azalina Othman Said, also a Supreme Council member, said she was taken aback with the criticism, adding that it did not help with efforts to mend the rift between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir.

She said Mukhriz should have known better and been more respectful towards the party leadership.

Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said that there was new material in Abdullah’s speech, especially on the distribution of wealth among Malays.

“It depends on where you stand. There are two sides to a coin. Maybe, that is why Mukhriz cannot see anything new.

“He (Abdullah) has a different style and approach in running the Government.”

Another Supreme Council member, Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, said he was disappointed that such an important speech had been trivialised by Mukhriz's comment.


UMNO stirs passions on ethnic rights

Malaysia's ruling party is claiming that ethnic Chinese earn nearly double what Malays make and own two-thirds of the country's commercial sites even though Malays are in a majority.

Malaysia's ruling party, the United Malays National Organization, is blending these statistics with potent rhetoric at its annual congress this week to assert what many Malays consider their birthright - affirmative action meant to lift them out of poverty.

"We will not budge an inch in defending our rights," said Mohamad Zan Abu, an UMNO official from the southern state of Johor, in a speech Tuesday. "We will defend these rights to the last drop of our blood."

Such talk is sure to cause unease among minority ethnic Chinese, who form 25 percent of the population, and Indians, who account for 10 percent. It will also fuel complaints that Malays, who comprise 60 percent of Malaysia's 26 million people, are pampered.

But there is a greater fear that dissatisfaction with the affirmative action policy could erupt into racial tensions.

Since UMNO's 1946 inception, it has represented the interests of ethnic Malays, who are Muslims. The party dominates the multi-ethnic National Front coalition government.

Political analyst Denison Jayasooria said no one disputes Malays' right to govern because of their majority, but it is only fair that "all marginalized sections should be reached irrespective of race."

He added: "The language that's being used now is making us further apart, creating new insecurities to a younger generation where ethnicities and nationalities are in conflict. We should first see ourselves as Malaysians."

More than four centuries of European colonization left most Malays impoverished farmers and rubber plantation workers at independence in 1957. Ethnic Chinese, who first migrated to Malaysia in the 19th century, prospered through trade and tin mining.

According to government statistics, for every 1 ringgit (HK$2.14) a Malay citizen earns in Malaysia an ethnic Chinese earns 1.64 ringgit.

According to the statistics, Malays own 11.7 percent of commercial sites, while ethnic Chinese own 71 percent.

Affirmative action policies were instituted after race riots, sparked by Malay dissatisfaction toward ethnic Chinese economic clout, killed hundreds in 1969. The privileges for Malays in areas such as government jobs, housing, bank loans and contracts aim to help them achieve a 30 percent corporate equity target by 2020.

UMNO's agenda has also extended to insisting on Islam as the predominant religion. Non-Muslims complain they cannot seek recourse in disputes involving religious matters with Muslims because the secular courts have no jurisdiction over the Islamic legal system.

That is not going to change, said UMNO's youth chief, Hishamuddin Hussein. "Any movement in the name of freedom of religion, freedom of speech or freedom of the media will not be allowed to challenge our rights," Hishamuddin said Tuesday.

"If such negative efforts are not curbed, they will have a huge implication on our harmony," he said. (The Standard)


Malaysia's leader warns of religious and ethnic tensions

Malaysia's prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said Wednesday that frayed relations between the country's religious and racial groups had reached a "worrying" level and warned that the government would not hesitate to crack down to preserve peace between them.

"Freedom has its limits," Abdullah said in a nationally televised speech to his party that serves as an annual state of the union address for the country. "I would like to warn those who abuse this freedom that I will not for a moment hesitate to use the law against them."

Abdullah's threats were a marked shift in tone for a prime minister who previously portrayed himself as more conciliatory and compassionate than his predecessor, Mahathir bin Mohamad.

At a time of both political and ethnic tensions, a number of recent incidents and court cases have soured relations between Malay Muslims and the rest of the country's 25 million population: Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and others....(more)
(International Herald Tribune)


An excerpt from Zainon Ahmad of UMNO Reform :"Umno delegates stick to the script"

Youth spotlight on 'questioning' of Malay rights

They came fast and furious, their delivery invariably laced with pantun and sometimes rib-tickling racy jokes.

For the 13 delegates picked to debate on issues of the day at Umno Youth's general assembly yesterday, the subject of their rhetorics expectedly reflected newspaper headliners - and the concerns of the grassroots nationwide.

Against the general debate on the Malay Agenda, a traditional favourite in any general assembly, delegates dwelt specifically on the perceived trend to question the rights and privileges of the Malays and the position of Islam.

The full force of the Youth movement was brought to bear on these issues, with punchy messages designed to influence national policies.

This is what the delegates said on the following topics:

Economy and the Malay Agenda:

Youth information chief Datuk Azimi Daim, in tabling the resolutions, set the tone with his call for the Malay Agenda to be made one of the main thrusts of the Ninth Malaysia Plan which was launched in March this year.

"The income disparity is not only between urban and rural Malays but also within regions of the country which show an obvious imbalance in terms of economic development.

Because of this, existing development projects have not brought about equal wealth distribution. I call on the government to renew commitment to attain the 30% bumiputra equity ownership target, and more importantly to come up with more effective strategies to ensure this is done.

"We should also look at why questions on the rights and privileges of the bumiputras are being raised by certain quarters now, even those from the BN family, when these are enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"Umno Youth must be more effective, creative and proactive in defending such ights and privileges, as these are issues that make members jump.

"When certain issues come up, it is natural for the warrior blood in the veins of the Malays to become heated."

Razali Idris (Terengganu): There is no way for Umno to remain strong if the economy is weak. The Malay's economic growth is only about 2%, while the non-bumiputra's is at 6%.
"This wide disparity will create unrest and an incident like May 13 might repeat but this time, the parang will not fly." The special privileges enjoyed by the Malays should not be challenged. "An ants' nest should not be disturbed".

Mohd Zan Abu (Johor): "The National Economic Policy and subsequent policies were not effective in uplifting the Malay community.
"In this regard, the Malay Agenda should be strenghtened to be more effective.

"Whether it (the bumiputra equity ownership) is 18% or 40% is not the question. The fact is the Malays are still lagging behind."

Religion:

Mohd Effendi Yusof (Kelantan): "Those who spread rumours and sms that there are about 250,000 Muslims in the country who had apostacised should be detained under the Internal Security Act or the Sedition Act.
The recent sms incident in Ipoh created an uproar among the Malays and the Internal Security Ministry should use its powers to act against those who created this unrest among the Muslims here." On Article 11, he said if such groups and others including the opposition are allowed to do what they are doing, there will be rampant cases of apostacy. "The most surprising part is that many of our own Muslims support such groups. If we were to follow Islamic Law, such people should be killed, but we don't do such things here." He questioned what Jakim and the ulamas are doing about such allegations.

"Don't play with fire...we (muslims) will fight till the end."

Social Ills:

Mohd Zan Abu: "The rampant cases of drug addiction, lepak, bohsia and Mat Rempit, sees the need for more effective measures to be taken. Umno Putra should be praised for taking the initiative in coming up with programmes on Mat Rempit."
Mohd Effendi Yusof: "What happened to all the government agencies and institutions when there was a problem with Mat Rempit? Please help safe the Mat Rempit's...they are actually an asset to the nation."
Education:

Mohd Zan Abu: "The meritrocracy issue should be re-examined. We do not want future generation to blame us for not doing anything, when it mattered."
Muhamad Nor Dawoo (Perak): "The shortcomings in the teaching of Maths and Science in English should be rectified to prevent our children from falling through. Teachers who lack the necessary skills in teaching Science and Maths in English should be sent abroad for the necessary courses. To improve the education system, the examination marking system should be re-evaluated."

Hishammuddin raises the Panca Warisan, the keris that symbolises Umno's Youth's struggle, at the start of the assembly.

On those who create disunity:

"Don't wager the future of the nation in the hands of those who are bankrupt of ideas on politics of unity and harmony. We remind them against stoking the fires of disunity. We know who they are, we know where they are and what they are saying. We will ensure they have no place as leaders in the Barisan Nasional struggle."

On the Panca Warisan, the keris that symbolises Umno Youth's struggle, which he raised for the first time last year and again this year:

"I remember that in last year's assembly, the Panca Warisan triggered concern among non-Malays. So narrow is their thinking and understanding of the cultural heritage of our forefathers. Aren't they aware that all along, we have together upheld the concept of Unity in Diversity? The keris should not be regarded as a symbol of oppression of the non-Malays by the Malays."

On Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the prime minister:

"We give undivided support to the president who leads us; and respect and love to past leaders. To Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, we owe a debt of gratitude. To Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, (we say) continue to lead us."

On race and religion:

"Of late, certain quarters seem to be taking advantage (of the new climate of openness) to test the government's level of tolerance. Issues on race and religion are debated without considering rationally the effects on race relations. Criticisms, which should be constructive, are increasingly vindictive, meant to release frustrations and hatred and made with bad intentions and jealousy.

"Some are spreading falsehood and rumours and are instigating. Such developments hurt the feelings of the Malays and Islam. Don't toy with, question or challenge the position of the Malays and Islam in this country.

"Any action, whether in the name of religious freedom, freedom of expression or freedom of the media, will not be allowed to challenge the rights and position as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"To those who call themselves Article 11, Umno Youth warns Ð don't try to raise issues regarding Article 11 and Article 121(A). Umno Youth is of the opinion that any questions and issues on Islam should be heard and judged by the Syariah Court, and not Civil Court, in line with Article 121 (1A). On the suggestion to form the Inter-faith Commission, Umno Youth urges the government to reject it outright."

On the Malay Agenda:

"The Malay Agenda in the National Mission should not be regarded as a zero-sum game, by saying only the Malays are benefiting and that the non-Malays are losing out. The non-bumiputras should be brave enough to admit that during the implementation of the New Economic Policy, they also derived benefits, either directly or indirectly, through projects in the various sectors."

On income parity:

"Although the bumiputras form the majority in this country, the income parity between bumiputras and non-bumiputras is still worrying. In fact, it is widening. For example, the income disparity between bumiputras and ethnic Chinese in 2004 is 1:1.64. Is it wrong if the government makes an effort to reduce this to 1:1.5 by 2010? Believe me, if nothing is done to address this situation, it will take 120 years to achieve income parity with the non-bumiputras, as mentioned by a group of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

On the NEP:

"Umno Youth reminds those who harp on the racial equity ownership issue to desist. If we don't want to talk about the concentration of wealth distribution in one particular race, then they should look into discriminatory practices in the marketplace, in particular the practice by some non-bumiputra companies which makes it a condition that one must know a certain language to get a job."

***************

Text rumour tests religious ties
By Claudia Theophilus

A widely circulated text message is being blamed for stoking religious tensions in Malaysia.

The SMS sent this month led to hundreds of Muslim protesters gathering outside a Roman Catholic church in the northern town of Ipoh to try to stop a rumoured conversion of 600 Muslim students to Christianity.

The incident on November 5 outside the Our Lady of Lourdes church is being investigated under Malaysia's sedition act.

Police have said they intend to question Harussani Zakaria, the mufti of the northern state of Perak, and Azhar Mansor, a locally famous sailor, who were both named in the message.

Officials said they were trying to find out whether the allegations - that Azhar would be leading 600 Muslim students through baptism - originated from a talk Harussani gave at a mosque programme this month.

Neither man could be contacted. However, Harussani has since identified a woman in her 40s as the source of the SMS, which he said he sent to representatives of Muslim groups out of concern.

But, speaking to reporters this week, he said he had cautioned against any protest without evidence.

Verbal threats

Bernard Paul, a parish priest in Ipoh, said that about 100 children were in his church when he saw between 200 and 300 protesters approaching.

"We heard chanting of anti-apostasy slogans," he said. "Police were trying to seal off the roads around the church but that attracted more curious onlookers. The protesters ignored warnings to disperse until about noon.

"Senior officers assured us that everything was under control but the crowd kept swelling. There were verbal threats of burning down the church and someone threw firecrackers into the compound.

"That night, a motorcycle gang rode past the church chanting and hurling rocks. A lady was hit on the thigh and later lodged a police report. We made similar report earlier over the disruption of a religious service."

Paul said that police had asked him about conversion procedures and the presence of Malays in the church about three weeks ago.

"But if police already knew about the allegations, why didn't they do anything to verify the facts? They could have informed the church and we could have easily cleared the air in a statement to diffuse the tension," he said.

Recent years have seen a series of anti-apostasy protests by Muslim groups claiming that Islam is being undermined by liberal Muslims and Malaysians who demand that their right to religious freedom under the constitution be upheld.

Just over 60 per cent of Malaysia’s population of 27 million are ethnic Malay-Muslims.

According to the Malaysian constitution a Malay is defined, among others things, as being a Muslim.

Hermen Shastri, the general-secretary of the Council of Churches, Malaysia, described the reaction to the SMS rumour as "very worrying".

"There definitely needs to be a defined policy on SMS messages," he said. "This is not the first time such a message has been circulated."

He said he had frequently received circulated SMS relating to the case of Lina Joy, a Malay woman who is trying to remove the word Islam from her national identity card.

The landmark case is currently awaiting a decision from the country’s highest court.

‘Intimidation tactic’

Hermen blamed "people with malicious and ill-intent" for circulating the SMS and trying to agitate more Muslims into taking to the streets stoke inter-religious tensions.

"The government has to come up with rules," he said.

"If there are any grievances, people should lodge a police report. This is an intimidation tactic to instill fear. The rule should be that no one should go to places of worship of other faiths and interfere in their worship."

Musa Mohd Nordin, founding member of the Muslim Professionals Forum – a body which aims to increase understanding of Islam in the English-speaking world - condemned the reaction.

"No ethnic or racial group should be acting on hearsay," he said. "If the group of Muslims had congregated at the church based on an SMS and not evidence, I think that is very unfortunate and unbecoming for a Muslim group.

"A particularly inflammatory issue like this must be based on clear evidence. Even if the allegations were true, it was uncalled for them to demonstrate. A negotiation or meeting with the church would have been a better way to handle the situation."

He also warned liberal Muslims against linking Sunday’s "isolated" incident with other anti-apostasy protests and said it was dangerous to use words such as "hate ideology".

'Despicable act'

Zaitun Kasim of women’s rights group Sisters In Islam apologised for what she said was the "fear and anxiety" caused by the "actions of a small, ill-informed group of Muslims".

"The despicable act of writing and forwarding the SMS itself was designed to sow hatred and ill-will," she said.

"Islam, as with other religions, does not in any way condone any form of violence."

She said she was "gravely disappointed that the actions of some Muslims have not only brought the religion into disrepute but have caused harm to other Malaysians".

Citing a recent spate of incidents, Zaitun said that the Ipoh case pointed to "a regressive and damaging trend where individuals and groups have deliberately used religion to drive a wedge between the different ethnic groups".
(Source: Al Jazeera)


Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tun Mahathir Bumi equity UMNO