On Race

Here in Malaysia, we are very proud to be a very culturally diverse nation. We have the Bumiputeras of Sabah and Sarawak, the Chinese, the Indians and the Malays. What this creates is a sort of congregation of many cultures. Which is a good thing. However there are certain foibles to this.

You have the occasional racial discriminations and of course the Malay rights issue, which of course I would not go into. Some see the Bumiputeras as lazy and backwards thinking, the Chinese as selfish and greedy, the Indians as over calculating and stingy and the Malays as proud and backwards. And you would be right. But consider this. Regardless of race, aren’t we all a little lazy and conservative at times? Sometimes we are just plain self-centered and greedy. Other times we are just devious and slightly miserly. Being proud of ourselves and being resistant to change is just part of human nature.

Consider this fact. The Bumis value kinship; the Chinese prosperity, the Indians camaraderie, and the Malays warm hospitality. Why then does our government separate themselves based on race? Shouldn’t BN be a single united party? Instead of many parties separated by nothing but race? That’s just playing the race card isn’t it? The opposition is of course just as guilty.

I see myself, not as a Chinese Malaysian but rather a Malaysian but of Chinese ethnicity. I enjoy my cup of the tarik and nasi lemak just as much as an Indian man would enjoy Penang fried kueh tiaw and a Malay man roti canai. So then as a Malaysian, don’t play the race card don’t see yourself as a Bumi, Chinese, Indian or Malay. See yourself as simply Malaysian. Enjoy this congregation of many colours and flavours. There is nowhere else in the world quite like it. And remember never brandish your kris to make a point. We know someone did. Be more culturally sensitive. There are better venues to put forward your opinions.