The outcome of the recent ‘tsunami’ election results has resulted in a number of parties championing the rights and special privileges of the Malays. In doing so, the parties involved are further embarrassing the Malays. If anybody wants to genuinely and sincerely help the Malays, please help them to be competitive. This will also help bridge the class divide between them and all Malaysians. Entitlements and privileges are going to destroy them. They are going to become more and more dependant on aid and less and less self-reliant.
As it is, there is a stigma attached to us. Many of my friends and relatives are highly competent and skilled. However, they are not recognised for their true worth by the people at large. They are perceived to be where they are because of their special privileges and entitlements. The fact that there are many non-performers who occupy certain positions because of considerations other than merit and performance, further substantiates such perceptions. It must be borne in mind that we live, work and interact with other Malaysians who see us as a ‘protected species’. Help us to be free of such perceptions.
I recently read an article in a local daily of a Malay partner in a scrap metal business who emphasised that she was an equal partner. She added that she believed in hard work and the partnership was not the typical ‘Ali Baba venture’ with the proverbial sleeping partner. Now that lady is to be admired for that is what it takes to be truly worth your salt! The real world recognises performance. People who put themselves through the test invariably add real value to themselves. Yes, it would certainly be easier to exist in a protected environment. The question is: Does that make you stronger or weaker? How does a piece of coal become a diamond?
In the short term, special assistance may work albeit superficially. It is like using crutches to walk especially when one has no disability. In the long term, the belief system would be that everyone needs crutches to walk and walking without crutches would be considered as abnormal. Of course we all know what would happen when the crutches are taken away.
There are certainly a large number of people who need special assistance. Apart from the physically challenged, we have in our midst, the hardcore poor. They come in all shades of colour and beliefs. They can be found in Perlis right up to Sabah and Sarawak. They need special assistance urgently. Help this group of Malaysians and in doing so, the barriers to national unity will start to crumble.
To move forward, all Malaysians need to be more competitive. We need to acquire higher qualifications and improve our competencies. Good times never last. What happens when the going gets tough? There are already some signs of this happening. If we are strong, we may just be able to ride it out. This strength comes only from all of us being competitive.
