Who are the racists? Those advocating 'Ketuanan Melayu' or those seeking an end to discrimination against minority Indian Malaysians?
On Fearless Indians fight for rights
Drafhin: Is Hindraf a racist group? Accusations against Hindraf for being racist have been hurled by its detractors, especially Umno politicians. Let this be clear. Hindraf is demanding an end to discrimination against Indian Malaysians. It is asking the Umno-led government to provide equal treatment to all Malaysians.
While it is claiming to defend the rights of Hindus, Hindraf is not like BJP in India - it does not advocate a Hindu supremacy or 'Ketuanan India'. Indeed, those making the allegations against Hindraf should look themselves in the mirror. Who are the racists? Those advocating 'Ketuanan Melayu' or those seeking an end to discrimination against the minority Indian Malaysians?
Unknow: The Hindraf rally is not about being racist or breaking the law but purely about the right to live in this country as equal human beings. We are born in this country and we should deserve to have same benefits as any other race.
Concerned Non-Economist: I am disappointed that Hindraf thinks that Indians are marginalised. I am tired of hearing this.
It is now time for the government to defend its position on the issue. Please come out with the statistics for the past 40 years to show how Indian Malaysians have benefitted from the recruitment into the civil service. This will put to rest the the unjust accusations leveled by Hindraf against the government.
On 'Gathering of crooks' hasn't tainted community's image
Chai Minghock: Is Khairy Jamaluddin a 'penyangak' (crooks)? If we follow Mohd Nazri Aziz's logic, then Khairy is one.
According to Nazri, those who were part of the Hindraf rally were 'penyangak' because "they went against the law". Khairy were also part of the protesters who turned up at KLCC to protest against the presence of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice some time ago.
Thus, we can only conclude that those who were part of that rally - and this included Khairy - were also 'penyangak'.
CTLee: It is refreshing to read the letter in Malaysiakini by Umar Mukhtar. Malaysians like him are few in our midst. But precisely, it is people like him that we need to sow the seeds of multi-racialism, multi-culturalism, religious harmony, etc, for the day when we shall truly call ourselves Malaysians.
Abdul Wahab Ghany: Umar Mukhtar, your strong anti-government sentiment has obviously misguided and blinded you. If Umar is indeed a Malay and if he supports Hindraf and the likes of Hindraf, he is certainly compromising the future of the Malay community including his own children's. I am angry with Umar and I don't expect my views to be printed.
On MIC's 'Robin Hood' to meet the whip
Sadirah K: I am sorry for you, Yang Berhormat Devamany. The only Robin Hoods who are allowed in this country are the likes of Zakaria Md Deros and our 'close one eye' MP from Malacca. Why is it that Nazri does not have the capacity nor the courage to deal with these 'Hoods'. They have also broken the law and it is there for all too see.
The problem, YB Devamany, is that you have been marginalised and must account for your words, while the Umno Hoods can get away because they are above the law. Come on, Nazri, we are not all that stupid to realise that we do not have a level-playing field it is responses like Nazri's, and the selective handling of issues, that frustrates many of us.
The MIC has failed but has enriched its leaders just as Umno, MCA and the other parties in the BN. It is people like you, Nazri, that drive many moderates to the folds of Hindraf and similar other organisations. You create you own demagogues and unless the BN has the capacity to appreciate this, they will continue to drive in the wedge and stoke racial unrest.
On Religious texts in schools - parents at fault
SH: I would like to applaud the magnanimous view of the avowedly non-Muslim writer, 'A Simple Malaysian', who upholds the right of schools to bombard pupils with religious (presumably Islamic texts). Indeed, even the right of the school to make non-Muslim children take part in Islamic prayers is defended.
"So, please ensure that our children are nurtured to value every aspect of our religions and not plant seeds of hatred in the mind of young children towards their fellow friends in our schools and the country in general."
I could not agree more. Why not take the argument to its logical conclusion? Strange that this "non-Muslim" writer, hiding behind the cloak of anonymity, failed to so do. Why not alternate the prayers then? Muslim ones first (since they are the majority), Christian the next day, Hindu the day after...
Ong Chiaw Hong: Letter writer 'A Simple Malaysian' was critical of the objection to the postings of religious texts all over the school walls. One such text quoted by Pramila reads, "Segala puji bagi Allah yang telah memberi kami makan dan minum dan telah menjadikan kami sebagai orang Islam." (All praise for Allah who have given us food and drink and have made us Muslims), which clearly gives the impression that non-Muslims either do not exist or do not matter in this particular school.
Texts such as that quoted by Pramila clearly shows that school authorities do not acknowledge and respect the existence of non-Muslims in our schools. And yet 'A Simple Malaysian' in his letter dares lecture Pramila and all other parents (apparently referring to non-Muslim parents) on "tolerance and respect for other religions". Regrettably, I am forced to conclude that people like 'A Simple Malaysian' are either extremely simple-minded or completely out of touch with the situation of "tolerance and respect for other religions" in this country.
Nkkhoo: Only asking non-Muslims to respect Islam is not a proper way to inculcate tolerance between religions. The religious text, "All praise for Allah who have given us food and drink and have made us Muslims", may sound alright for Muslims and Christians, but not all religious teachings, Buddhism for example, has the same concept of God.
"Doa Selamat" in a school gathering sounds like a norm and it has long been misinterpreted by certain quarters as the "Malaysian way". Did the school authorities allow other religious prayers during school gatherings? If the school authorities are open minded and allow all religious prayers during such gatherings, then I will call it true tolerance between religions, otherwise I call it one-way tolerance.
Many unfair and bias policies are assumed to be the "norm" after being imposed on all Malaysians by the Umno-led government. This is not doing any good to unity and tolerance in this country. Ask ourselves one question, how many of our close friends are from a different race and religion?
