5.13 revisited- MT

cruzeiro wrote:

Dear Dr.Azly,
You asked:
What will it take for us to prevent another May 13 from happening? Will a brand new regime be the answer?
Will a truly multiethnic, social-democratic, nationalistic government help us through the next 50 years of "Independence"?
Will replacing the NEP and redefining the meaning of "Bumiputera" to include ALL ethnic groups to be given similar special rights and privileges be the ultimate solution for peace and justice?
====================================
Permit me to ramble a little.
As we all know, the "two races that count" are the malays and chinese.
Whatever happenned on 5.13, happened because the powers that be, used the chauvinism of the chinese against them.
It was rather foolish of them to imagine that they could grab power from the Malays, and belittle them in the process.
The Malays used their trump card (right or wrong), and the rest is history.
The question remains - are the Malays secure in their grip on political power?
I guess not.

That is because, it can never happen as long as there remains Chinese or Indians who cannot assimilate.
There was a time when one could assimilate into Malay society quite easily, by adopting the Malay lifestyle. Not any more.
Assimilation is made difficult with current policies entrenched in the NEP.
The “religion factor” is added on to make things doubly difficult and worse, with the adoption of the "arabisation" of Malay culture. The quest for uniformity, intolerance of difference in opinion (ala the wahhabis) is very much prevalent today.
With further absorption of Indonesian and Filipino Muslims, the Malay culture and race has been altered artificially.
This has led to the dilution and emasculation of the true Malay identity, hence further insecurity among the Malays.
With these alterations in the demographics, the politicians now have a new "bogeyman" - the Islamic fundamentalist.
Now, why would any politician in his right mind want to give up absolute power?
The Malay politician in power at present has it all at his disposal. Now the only thing that he may lack partially is economic power - that the chinese still hold. Of course, he instils this "desire" for financial reward into the people - and voila! and the chinese bogeyman makes his presence felt.
There are now two bogeymen at the disposal of Mr. Politician to conveniently use.
Getting to the point, You asked: What will it take for us to prevent another May 13 from happening?
The answer to to that is – education and trust.
I do not for a minute believe that building trust among the various ethnic groups is as firmly on the agenda,( as compared to wealth acquisition with sectarian interests), among the various leaders. They give a façade of cooperation while they go on cheating each other.
Govt sponsored education cannot be used as a platform for indoctrination, as is currently practised in many third-world nations. Healthy debates need to be encouraged, so that the fear of new ideas is dispelled.
Will a brand new regime be the answer?
Not if the current concept of nationhood persists, or the people don't have a viable option. However, As long as there exists a significant Malay political vacuum in the opposition, this insecurity among the Malays would remain.
Will a truly multiethnic, social-democratic, nationalistic government help us through the next 50 years of "Independence"?
Yes. But first, there needs to be abolition of race based political parties/ alliances.
Non- Malays need to acknowledge the fact that it was the Malays (whatever their origins may be) who had the earliest kingdoms/ governments of the modern era in this land.
It would need a secular constitution, based on universal values.
It has to be led by a Malay majority. They need to have proper concepts of nationhood (akin to that of USA) guided by politicians who are able to freely articulate their thoughts without resorting to politics of fear. It has to be secular in nature. There has to be separation of religion and state.
Will replacing the NEP and redefining the meaning of "Bumiputera" to include ALL ethnic groups to be given similar special rights and privileges be the ultimate solution for peace and justice?
There needs to be a redefining of both NEP (not to be abolished entirely) and “bumiputera”, but it cannot happen unless the Malays themselves realise the need for it.
They need to realise that they can prosper together, should they build trust and welcome challenges and work without the crutch of the NEP.

21/05 12:00:14

Feringhi Thoughts

Your rules of acquisition looks threatening too in this world;

1. Once you have their money, you never give it back.[1][2]
2. The best deal is the one that brings the most profit.[3]
3. Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to.[4]
4. A woman wearing clothes is like a man in the kitchen.[3]
6. Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity.[1] or Never allow family to stand in the way of profit.[5]
7. Keep your ears open.[6]
8. Small print leads to large risk.[7]
9. Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.[8]
10. Greed is eternal.[9][10]
11. Even if it's free, you can always buy it cheaper.[3]
12. Anything worth selling is worth selling twice.[3]
13. Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.[7]
16. A deal is a deal.[11]
17. A contract is a contract is a contract. But only between Ferengi.[12]
18. A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.[2]
19. Satisfaction is not guaranteed.[7]
21. Never place friendship above profit.[13]
22. A wise man can hear profit in the wind.[13]
23. Nothing is more important than your health. Except for your money.[5]
27. There is nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman.[7]
31. Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother[14]...Insult something he cares about instead[7].
33. It never hurts to suck up to the boss.[13][15]
34. War is good for business.[16][17]
35. Peace is good for business.[16][18]
40. She can touch your lobes, but never your latinum.[7]
41. Profit is its own reward.[7]
44. Never confuse wisdom with luck.[7]
45. Expand or die.[5] The 95th rule is also given as "Expand or die" on one occasion[10].
47. Never trust a man wearing a better suit than your own.[19]
48. The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.[13]
52. Never ask when you can take.[7]
57. Good customers are as rare as latinum. Treasure them.[20]
58. There is no substitute for success.[7]
59. Free advice is seldom cheap.[13]

19/05 07:15:24

muslim wrote:

60. Keep your lies consistent.[7]
62. The riskier the road, the greater the profit.[13]
65. Win or lose, there's always Hupyrian beetle snuff.[7]
74. Knowledge equals profit.[21]
75. Home is where the heart is, but the stars are made of latinum.[22]
76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies![23]
79. Beware of the Vulcan greed for knowledge.[7]
82. The flimsier the product, the higher the price.[7]
85. Never let the competition know what you're thinking.[7]
89. Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits.[7]
94. Females and finances don't mix.[24]
95. Expand or die.[10]. The 45th rule was also given as "expand or die" on one occasion[5]
97. Enough... is never enough.[7]
98. Every man has his price.[25]
99. Trust is the biggest liability of all.[7]
102. Nature decays, but latinum is forever.[26]
103. Sleep can interfere with... [cut off]. (The rest of the 103rd rule was never stated onscreen as Pel was interrupted before finishing.)[13]
104. Faith moves mountains... of inventory.[7]
106. There is no honor in poverty.[7]
109. Dignity and an empty sack is worth a sack.[19]
111. Treat people in your debt like family. Exploit them.[27][28]
112. Never have sex with the boss's sister.[29]
113. Always have sex with the boss.[7]
121. Everything is for sale, even friendship.[7]
123. Even a blind man can recognize the glow of latinum.[7]
125. You can't make a deal if you're dead.[17]
139. Wives serve, brothers inherit.[30]
141. Only fools pay retail.[7]
144. There's nothing wrong with charity... as long as it winds up in your pocket.[7]
162. Even in the worst of times, someone turns a profit.[7]
168. Whisper your way to success.[31]
177. Know your enemies... but do business with them always.[7]
181. Not even dishonesty can tarnish the shine of profit.[7]
189. Let others keep their reputation. You keep their money.[7]
190. Hear all; trust nothing.[32]
192. Never cheat a Klingon... unless you're sure you can get away with it.[7]
194. It's always good business to know about your customers before they walk in your door.[33]
202. The justification of profit is profit.[7]
203. New customers are like razor-toothed Greeworms. They can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back.[34]
208. Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than the question is an answer.[24]
211. Employees are the rungs on the ladder of success. Don't hesitate to step on them.[35]
214. Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach.[36]
217. You can't free a fish from water.[27]
218. Always know what you're buying.[7]
223. Beware the man who doesn't make time for oo-mox.[7]
229. Latinum lasts longer than lust.[24]
236. You can't buy fate.[7]
239. Never be afraid to mislabel a product.[12]
242. More is good... all is better.[7]
255. A wife is a luxury... a smart accountant, a necessity.[7]
261. A wealthy man can afford anything except a conscience.[7]
263. Never allow doubt to tarnish your lust for latinum.[35]
266. When in doubt, lie.[7]
284. Deep down, everyone's a Ferengi.[7]
285. No good deed ever goes unpunished.

19/05 07:15:52

Redemption Song

cruzeiro wrote:
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Woh! have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.

How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say its just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil de book.

Wont you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.

- Bob Marley 14/02 16:25:44

The Matrix: Morpheus, Neo and the Red Pill.

Morpheus:
"The Matrix is a system, Neo.
That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see?
Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save.
But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy.
You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged.
And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cruzeiro asks, "Are today's Malays ready to take the Red Pill?"

Malay matrix?

(This was a Letter in response to Dr. Azly's "Malay matrix awaits its messiah")

Dear Sir,
As I sit here writing here contemplating the Malay Matrix, I some get the feeling that the Malay Matrix as it is now, does not wish for a messiah.

In searching for “Neo” it seems like the “Smiths” have already come out spitting fire and brimstone (not to mention excrement). The stupor in this Matrix, is what the Malay today wants to preserve.
This can be seen even in this forum from the venom and what not, being spewed by certain individuals. These venomous assaults on the intellect, in my humble opinion, is indeed the current sentiment of those that are “plugged in”.

As confessed by a very “patriotic” venom spitting “Smith” here, the question of being indigenous does not arise at all. It is not about whose land it truly is. It is about power to rule. His expression may not be too palatable – but his message is truly one of fear.

Right or wrong, what was illustrated is the fear that the Malay psyche has to deal with. The fear of being dispossessed in their own land.
It is a very real entity in the Malay psyche.
It is this fear that has paralysed the mind, and has brought on a defensive mechanism of “aggression” in ideas. It is this fear that is perpetuated and further inflamed by certain quarters, so as to prevent any form of “unplugging” from this matrix of “supremist” ideology.

How do we address this fear and xenophobia in this age of globalisation? How do we plead for reason to rule? Do we ride the choppy waters together, or do we prepare to abandon ship in the event of a wave of xenophobia? Or do we grab on to the first sign of an alternative leadership and purge the current for a simplistic solution?
Who awaits the “neo-malay”?

It isn't the patriot as defined by the current schools of thought propagated.
It is none other than the disenfranchised. Where do we find this “neo”?

He will come from this pool of this disenfranchised Malay, who strives towards social awareness with a vision of progressiveness and a distaste for xenophobia. From this pool, the ones who have chosen to use reason borne of this system of “affirmative action”, as opposed to the vast majority who have chosen to “toe the line” into stuporous comfort and self aggrandisement.

What does this “neo” need?
He needs to have a philosophy and an agenda that would (in cooperation with the other like-minded people of Malaysia) create a system that is progressive and embraces change, without a policy that works on the principles of racism, xenophobia or religiosity.
Having spoken of what is needed in the spectre of Malay politics, the other determinant in this equation are the Chinese, who dominate the economy.
Would they too, be willing to give up on their old-school ethnocentric chauvinism and be a true partner in creating the new Malaysian?

We need also the “neo” Chinese and the “neo” Indian and the “neo” Iban, Dayak, Kadazan, Dusun etc., to create a NeoMalaysia.

It is however, the Malay who will determine the birth of these other “neos”.
There is a “messiah” in each and every one of us – do we have the same message?

Where is the Spirit of Merdeka?

It is common knowledge that the Utopian Malaysia does not and will never exist.

The best that we can do is to be aware, voice out where we can be heard, and hope that whatever that is mentioned is worth something towards development of new ideas in nation building.
The Malaysia as we know it today, isn't what was envisioned by the those who hoped for nationhood during “Merdeka”.

The spirit of Merdeka has been subverted by racists and the religious zealots over the years, and has been replaced by chauvinism – racial and religious.
It all somehow points to the political “coup” that was engineered during the events that led to the May 13, 1969.

So we had a social contract, wherein the people themselves didn't know the cancer that was prescribed as a medicine, which was to cure all the ills within. Unfortunately, we are a society so paralyzed by symptomatic solutions one has to wonder whether we will learn anything from this mindless atrocity.

What he have now is an idea that has been entrenched so deep in the psyche - that to remove this “cancer” called the New Economic Policy would be, akin to killing the “goose that lays the golden eggs” for the beneficiaries.
The beneficiary has become a hideously obese and grotesque, addict of a monster, who cannot live without his crutch and his regular “fix”. If he doesn't get his fix he would gnaw on his fingers till he bleeds, rave and rant, and wave his little weapon with threats against all those who try to help.

He does not see or understand reason.
His perception and values have become so twisted , that he does not recognize himself when he looks in the mirror.
He chooses to destroy his reflection by destroying the mirror , as he says that it is only an illusion – “it isn't and will never be real”. The only good that sees are ways to satisfy his gluttony and cravings.
To justify him, the audience of unthinking little monsters applaud. All who choose to disagree are said to be “biting the hand that fed them”.

The very hideous cancer that is destroying the nation as a whole, has become a symbol of pride and arrogance, for a political agenda so consumed by itself.
To abide by the contract, to the advocates, means defeat and shame - not honour.

They have failed so miserably to even convince themselves that they are on the right track, that they look for scapegoats all around them.

Having failed in its shortcut to an economic miracle, the advocates of the system (clamouring for issues and a new agenda to perpetuate their greed and envy) the now choose to preach intolerance, “arabisation”, and religiosity in the name of God, to further isolate, and “drug into a stupor” a beautiful people who were once open to change.

Even if we aren't too accurate in our assessment, much of what has passed off for Islamisation by the govt was nothing more than frothy God-talk,
.... mindless, thoughtless, and in its exploitation of people, heartless.
The “one upmanship” practised by the various institutions that espouse religious chauvinism, is in fact a pathetic display of their failures and insecurities.

They need to feel that they are “winning” and wish to gloat about their “success” in being the defenders of their misplaced priorities, while hiding the enemies within, behind a cloak (turban or beard) of religiosity.

Then again there are those who see the folly of race/ religion politics, but intend to oppose the system by simply voting for an opposition who are themselves part of this system of apartheid, by virtue of the racial make-up of their membership.
They, the people, vote because they think it makes difference, when in fact, these votes are only perpetuating the corrupt system- by lending it legitimacy.

All political parties in Malaysia are race based.
Most hide behind the façade of a non racist constitution.
At least the original members of the Alliance aren't hiding and make no apologies about that fact ..... in fact, they don't apologise about anything when flaunting their agenda of greed and robbery.

Dear Sir- lets call a spade, a spade.
Malaysia is a one party state. UMNO.
PAS is out of the equation by virtue of its religious political (state) convictions.
DAP is glaringly chinese. PKR - no agenda or alternative “formula”.
All are Lame ducks.

The rest (read component parties) are in it for their share/ spoils in the grand scheme of things, and to bow before the almighty powers.

There can only be one kind of a viable opposition – one that is truly multi racial in its membership. One that espouses universal values.
One that is led by a Malay majority.

In the Malaysian political landscape, these criteria are sorely lacking.
Sadly, it is the ruling party that is actually aware of this ( read today's Star p.38), and might just be working to reinvent itself ahead of the so-called opposition.
So, there is hope yet for Malaysia.

Malaysia today is a nation that has lost its conscience.
Lets hope that the soul still lives.

The Malaysian Race "Revolution" - "Buang"-isation.

(This was a Letter posted in reply to Dr. Azly article on the race factor in Malaysia, and the need for a "buang"-isation - an old Malay tradition of renaming a child so as to get rid of bad omen).

Dear Sir,
As you have correctly noted, there is a need for the people to reinvent themselves. However, there is a flaw( if I may say so) here.
It is not just the bumiputera that needs to do this. All Malaysians are responsible for the creation of the bumiputera.
How did they do it? Because they have voted in a system that has propagated the ideology of segregation and subtle persecution.

It is quite idealistic of you to say that race (words like Malay, Chinese, Indian etc) have lost their connotative and denotative power. I'm sorry to say that it is indeed a very, very powerful idea - more so when you are insecure. This is what is exploited by racists in general- insecurity, and distrust- to destabilise in order to retain power.

Let's face facts – everyone is racist to a certain extent. Race, is in your genes. It is part of your heritage. Race is, simply put, a larger family upholding similar values. Most people with any conscience, wouldn't abandon their families or heritage no matter how rich, poor, funny or weird, without a good reason.

Do we have this good reason to give up on our race? I don't think so .... and hence the race appeal shall endure, until we do.
For a Malaysian “race”, we do not seek to suppress or destroy the identities, but rather promote the diversity, positive values and take pride in it. However, in promoting it, one has to be able to be involved, with “appreciation of sensitivities” within each element of this diversity, rather than having it only exclusively for a certain segment of society. Over time, out of this great melting pot of ideas, traditions and practices, would evolve, a people with a dynamic and unique culture that all can be proud of. This would bring about trust.

This cohesion of people cannot take place, unless we have a common interest. A common denominator. In my humble opinion, it is language. Unless and until we can learn to think and communicate in a common dynamic language, successful integration and evolution of a people cannot happen.
A simple example is China, with Mandarin.

The present state of affairs in Malaysia, is the result of the feudal and British formula of race politics, NEP and “Islamisation”( read arabisation) preaching values of chauvinism, isolationism and subjugation.

Somewhere along the way, we lost the ability to criticise constructively, appreciate humor and laugh at ourselves for our mistakes and inadequacies. Each community has become increasingly, irrationally chauvinistic as a “defensive mechanism”. What was taken as wit and good humour 40 years ago, could be an insult today.

I read somewhere, “ one should not let schooling in the way of good education”.
If the establishment can provide a good education system in the language of choice, these vernacular schools would become redundant and disappear altogether, as it would become an obvious liability to the interested parties.
It is not through the suppression vernacular schools, but rather, integration and competition to produce better students/ adults that would render the weaker system irrelevant through choice.

Interestingly, the word university means “to bring unity in diversity”, and the idea of the academy was to impart knowledge and virtue. Neither of these goals are recognizable today.

Our Universities aren't what they are supposed to be.
Today, they are merely schools of learning for crafts and trades.

The students in docility, need to “toe the line” rather than challenge established ideas (as is also seen in the political culture of Malaysia). The teachers and leader merely advise “thinking out of the box” giving lip service to the cliché; but in truth, forbidding it through actions, as directed by the politicians.

It is this paralysis of thought process, that has become the illness of our teaching institutions. Suppression of thought, in itself churns out a people incapable of civilised expression, thus creating frustration. Resulting volatility and “explosive irrational behaviour” is exploited and glorified by “leaders” as true patriotism/ martyrdom/ faith, thus breeding extremism and terrorism.

While allowing for freedom of expression, it is essential that teachers/ students are exposed to various ideas that promote rational/ critical thinking and proper debate on various ideas without prejudice. Plato often reminded his students that the true mark of learning, was to recognize where one was ignorant. It must possible for them to engage in discussions of any nature without resorting to primitive instincts of “flight or fight”.

Freedom and discipline of the mind would inevitably bring about a “buang-isation” and reinvention of the culture and political structure in a nation.

“Once you can laugh at your own weaknesses, you can move forward. Comedy breaks down walls. It opens up people. If you're good, you can fill up those openings with something positive. Maybe... combat some of the ugliness in the world.” -Goldie Hawn