A Letter to all Chinese

So, I guess most of y'all must have read my letter to all Malays. Now its your turn, Chinese! Haha anyhow I'm writing this to address the Chinese people of Malaysia and these are my thoughts concerning our current situation.

I'm sure most of the Chinese around are pretty happy with the election results. That's just stating the obvious, isn't it? For many of us, we view it as the downfall of UMNO's lordship and their abuse of power. It's true, they did abuse their power. And a lot of Chinese have felt increasingly being pushed aside by the policies and actions of UMNO.

One of the major 'complaints' the Chinese have is about the ridiculous quota system that was (and still is) in place for now. I'm sure many of us remember the fiasco that took place a few years ago when the top scorers for the STPM examinations were not able to pursue their ambitions as the local universities offered them courses like marine biology and stuff. Of course, I'm not looking down on marine biology but if that's not what someone wants, then it doesn't suit. Well yeah, these top scorers sure were disappointed that all their hard work had gone to waste. They couldn't even pursue what they wanted to.

The quota system also infects other areas, such as the giving of scholarships. The Chinese are definitely angry over this one. Cuz we feel we need to work so hard and long to get what we want, and there goes some guy who gets it without trying just because he's born with the right skin colour.

Promotions at the job? Quota's there too. My own mother once got sidelined even when she scored the highest in her firm's promotion test, because they had to give it to someone else for quota reasons. Fair? Surely not. Cause for grievance? Surely yes!

And who can forget about the whole 30% bumiputera equity thing? Surely everyone knows that this 'quota' has been abused to the utmost. Remember the ASLI report? And how it got shut up so quickly? I honestly don't know if the bumiputeras already have that 30% or not, but most people feel it's terribly unfair. Companies built up with sweat and blood have to give up 30% ownership to some bumiputeras who weren't there when the sweat and blood was spilled. Sometimes even forcefully, or so I hear.

The list goes on. From basic rights to keris-wielding, the Chinese have grievances aplenty.

And so where do we go from here? How do we reconcile these grievances? How do we foster a generation of Malaysians instead of Chinese, Indian and Malay? Can we ask the Chinese to just let go of all the past hurts and insults? To just forget all the hard work and toil they had to put in just to put their kids through college?

It sure isn't easy, but I'm gonna say this is where forgiveness comes in. Don't blame the Malays for 'getting it easy'. It wasn't their fault that a selfish and arrogant government played up the issue of Malay rights and silenced any objections by declaring them as 'questioning the Malay rights and supremacy'. Even now the government tries desperately to rally the Malays against the Opposition through the media and especially Malay newspapers.

Don't blame the entire race for the crimes one or two committed. Don't hold it against them for having a government that plays by racial politics. It's not their fault.

To all my Chinese brothers and sisters, stop fleeing the country! Yeah, the grass always seems greener on the other side. And people migrate for a better future. I believe God put us here for a reason. Sure, there are a lot of things wrong in our country. So, being Malaysians, let's work together to rebuild a better nation.

I can't solve the grievances the Chinese race has. No one can. But take a look at the new governments, especially the Malay MB's, like Khalid and Nizar. To me it sure looks like they're building Malaysia, not Malay. Let this speak to your hearts. Remember that during our parents' time, racism was unheard of. Malays, Indians and Chinese rubbed shoulders and shared meals. They visited one another. They were friends. So why do we persist on trying to be opposite sides of a planet when we're in the same place?

Forgive and forget. It's really not that difficult if we keep our eyes on the future instead of on the past.

Here's to a better nation.
Here's to a better tomorrow.
Here's to the death of racism.
Here's to forgiveness and love.
Here's to Malaysia.

That's what it means to be Malaysian.

A Letter to all Malays

I'm a Chinese guy. And the reason I'm writing this letter to all Malays is in view of the recent happenings in our nation. It's been a pretty crazy couple of weeks, hasn't it? There were ups and there were downs. Newfound hope, disappointments, and hope again. So, why am I writing this, you ask.

I wanna start by saying this; I view all Malays (and Indians and all other races) as my brothers and sisters. I love you like I would love my brothers. And I would not hesitate to take a bullet for anyone of you. A bit dramatic, I know, but spare me my moment =)

As a Chinese, I see and hear the woes of the minority races of this country. Newspapers and other mediums which are not in English or Bahasa are certainly more transparent about a lot of issues. Even now post elections, the mainstream papers such as the Star, NST and so on are still being very biased. just the other day I saw a cartoon mocking Guan Eng for not wanting to stay in the CM house to save on that 300k it would cost to fix it.

Now, we know that with the winds of change having blown so hard, lots of things have changed. A lot of Malays are worried and doubtful. "What if our rights are taken away?" they ask. Of course, once again, the mainstream media is not doing anything to help in this issue. Papers in the BM language especially are stirring up even more doubt. Political motives, no doubt. But I urge you to consider what I'm about to say.

The NEP is a major debate topic now. For so many years, it has been the 'accepted' way of doing things. It's been the paradigm of Malaysia. And everyone is told not to question it because questioning it would be challenging the Malays' rights and their supremacy and what not. Please hear this. We're not trying to challenge the Malays' rights. We are not trying to send them back to paddy fields and take over the land and step all over the other races, contrary to what many politically-motivated sources would say.

Has it benefited the Malays? In many cases, the policy has been a spoonfeeding one. Yes you got that right. I'm not afraid to say it. It's been a spoonfeeding one. Local universities, in 'protecting the Malay rights', are afraid of failing students. My own cousins have managed to get into certain local unis (through connections, I might add), and they have admitted this; "They can't fail us". It doesnt matter if you don't know much. It doesn't matter if you graduate as a professionally qualified accountant and don't know simple debits and credits. They can't fail us.

And yet another example. Proton. No offense meant, but let's examine it carefully. It's been carefully protected by the Govt all these years. The taxes imposed on imported cars are just ridiculous, all in the efforts of protecting our national car maker. We should take pride in our national car maker, should we not? But do we? Why do Germans take pride in their car makers and Russians in their rockets and Americans in their military, but we can;t take pride in our national car maker? Simply because after so many years, they still can't make a proper window that works perfectly well. If you ask me, it's all the protection that stopped them from being competitive. Do you teach a baby to walk by carrying him/her all the time? Do you teach a bird to fly by wrapping it in 2 pounds of bandages in case it falls? NO!

The spoonfeeding is a silent killer, don't you see? I'm not saying that the Malays are backward or anything, but I'm saying they can be more forward. Please don't think that abolishing the NEP will destroy your rights. It won't. There will be justice and fairness. Instead of spoonfeeding, you will have to work harder. But you will walk better and sooner you will fly.

Give the new Govts a chance. Let us once and for all put aside skin colour. I am a Chinese, and I can say I love the Malays. I love the Indians. I love all the other races. When can we start to see beyond skin colour? When will we learn that underneath that fair or dark skin lies a person who is not much different than us? I long to see a Malaysia of Malaysians, not Malays, Chinese and Indians. Don't believe everything the media says.

Think.

Love.

Everything

Hey all again,

I found this really awesome video that I think everyone should watch. I really don't know who did the video, but the song is titled Everything by Lifehouse. Watch it and see if you agree with me.



Hope you guys enjoy it. Think it really puts things in perspective. Leave a comment when you're done to let me know if you liked it.

And if for some reason the screen is too small or whatever, the direct link is here:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=139f9c4c0036b123ee12

Of Grace and Finger Pointing

In the wake of our nation's 12th General Elections, it is probably only natural for the side which suffered heavy losses to examine and study the reasons for their defeats, And this has been done, to intriguing, and sometimes downright hilarious results.

The purpose of this article is not to criticize any certain sides or people, but rather to look into the mindset they have employed in conducting their ‘studies’. As such, no names will be mentioned, and I hope that you will join with me in an academic viewpoint instead of a critical and condescending one.

One leader gave the following reason for his party’s defeat in a state:

It is because of the outstation voters that we have lost. These outstation voters were influenced by the Opposition outside this state and have in turn influenced their friends and family members to vote for the Opposition.

Another leader gave this reason:

Christians and churches which I have worked with previously campaigned against me within the churches.

Some of you may immediately know who these people are just by reading the above, but once again I stress that the purpose of this is not to condemn anyone but to study this academically.

I personally find such comments to be extremely childish, for a very simple reason. And for that same reason, many of us do the same, albeit in different situations and circumstances.

We don’t like to see our own weaknesses.

No we don’t, do we? It’s much easier to point the finger at others but not ourselves. It’s always “Blame the weather” or “Blame him or her” or even worse, “Blame God”. Yet we seldom see our own weaknesses.

Interestingly, there is a verse in the Bible that describes this ‘phenomenon’ pretty accurately:

Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye but not the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you shall see more clearly to remove the speck in your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3,5)

Coming back to the issue of the leaders who have given reasons why they have been defeated in the elections, perhaps it’s not such a mystery after all. Instead of coming up with such reasons, should they not have conducted some form of soul-searching beforehand? Should they not have considered the possibility that perhaps their parties were irrelevant? People have lost trust in them? The stories of corruption and abuse of power and arrogance have irritated enough people to vote them out?

Instead of conspiracy theories, should they not have looked within first? The same applies to our everyday lives. In our pursuit of success and excellence and accomplishments, we sometimes gain over-confidence. Over-confidence that leads to pride which blinds us to our own weaknesses.

We need to learn how to lose graciously. I definitely salute the likes of Dr. Koh Tsu Koon for being able to be gracious in defeat. And I believe people will remember him for being able to lose graciously.

At the end of the day, we don’t have to hide these weaknesses. We don’t have to pretend they’re not there. Because ALL of us aren’t perfect. We ALL have weaknesses. Why can’t we try humility? Why can’t we give way for honesty? Why do we need a ‘mask’ to hide behind? If we could all throw our masks away, wouldn’t this make our country a better place? Our families? Our world? Let's try being ourselves for a change

Yeah let's not try to be like this...

I told you masks weren't good...Lol

Surprise? Perhaps not..

For all Malaysians, yesterday the 8th of March marked an incredibly interesting day, to say the least. Our 12th General Elections produced surprising results. The BN's winning streak has certainly continued, but with humongous 'cuts'.

Who would have thought that the Opposition could emerge in such strength this time around? Who would have expected the People's voices to drown out the 'invincibility' of BN, who has stood almost unopposed for over 40 years? Political tsunami, one newspaper describes it.

Is it, really? The stirrings of discontent amongst the people of Malaysia have up to now been in muffled whispers. The components within BN who were 'supposed' to represent the voices of the various races appear not to have caught those whispers. The whispers grew to a crescendo yesterday. The whispers became a united roar. Unsurprisingly, many top guns within these components, namely the MCA and MIC and of course, the Gerakan, fell like bowling pins.

One leader within the abovementioned components expressed surprise at the heavy losses the ruling coalition BN suffered. As a whole, the entire BN was taken aback at the losses. I was told that they had planned a victory party in PWTC even before the results were announced. Talk about counting chickens, eh? The question, though, is whether all this is surprising. Is it?

Personally I don't think so. It appears that the Government has grown complacent over the years. Promises were made to stamp out corruption. And look where we are now. The top guy within the police anti-corruption force was investigated by the ACA. (I believe that was his post, if I'm wrong, forgive me). Politicians have been engrossed in fattening themselves instead of performing their duties to the People. Silly rules have been made on silly whims. Unnecessary and burdensome legislation. Sexist remarks, racist remarks, and in some cases, keris-wielding.

Even the media was suppressed, which in my opinion, is terribly silly. If I were to open the paper everyday and find 99 articles about BN and 1 article about the Opposition hidden away in some obscure corner, would I be stupid enough to assume that the Opposition is not saying anything? Am I supposed to be ignorant enough to foolishly get drawn into this propaganda? No, certainly not. And I believe many of my fellow Malaysians are not as well.

I know the Christians for one were praying around the clock for these elections. Churches, CFs, cell groups. Concern for this nation drew diverse groups together. The NECF had a programme where people would pray around the clock for the future of this nation.

Yesterday, God answered. Yesterday, it was proven without a doubt that in a split second, everything can change. Yesterday, the political monopoly was broken. Yesterday, this country got a second chance.

Today, a new dawn arises. What will happen in the next few weeks, months and years? Will the Opposition in its stronger position now do what they have promised? Will this country get another shot at truly becoming the nation it was meant to be? The nation that every nation was meant to be? Where truth, justice and morality prevail? That is yet to be seen.

So stand firm, fellow Malaysians. Yesterday we voted for integrity and justice. We voted against complacency. We voted against corruption and crime. We voted against monopolies. We voted for the future. Gone are the days when we could sit comfortably in our comfort zones. Gone are the days when we could just live for ourselves. You and I were made for more than that. Let us relinquish our self-seeking. Let us forget our differences and selfishness. Let us put aside our differences, and join hands across denominations, ages, races and religions for a better tomorrow.

Let us stand for what we hold true. Let us stand

A New Dawn...

Big shoutout the the Malaysian blogging community out there! And of course, the worldwide one too! This being the first post on this new blog, I guess I should give a short introduction as to what this blog will be about in future.

This blog will be about issues relevant to societies, both worldwide and Malaysian. If you haven't figured out that I'm a Malaysian by now, you probably are pretty dim, but that's alright. All are welcome haha!

Back to the point, the issues will range from politics to morality to spirituality to culture to mindsets to music. Well, basically just about anything under the sun. Note that this blog will NOT be about what I did today or yesterday and where I went and who I went with. Certainly not.

Anyway, cheers to all, God bless you and have a great day!