1Malaysia:Equal rights?

1. The non-Bumis has been demanding equal rights in the Malaysian system for quite awhile now. Probably even since the communist era in Malaysia as it does promotes equality at the cost of market freedom.

2. The 1Malaysia concept is believed to be the slogan that stirred up the spirits of Malaysians to fight for their rights. Why? It's simple actually..if you were to think from 2 race's point of view.

3. The non-Bumis demand to be treated equally, fairly and just. This means the termination of the benefits of all races OR the promotion of EXACT and SAME benefit for all races.

4. The Malays on the other hand does not see it this way, especially the conservative ones. They believe that because they were the ones that originated from Tanah Melayu (the current Malaysia), it is only fair for them to hold their rights on having privileges over other races. Furthermore, the 1Malaysia concept to them would be the promotion of the Malay culture for all races. In other words, the termination of the Tamil, Mandarin and other languages. To put it simple, non-bumis must become a Malay.

5. Both party views 1Malaysia differently for the current Prime Minister, PM Najib Tun Razak has failed to define the slogan properly.

6. The utter confusion that was caused created an ever more intense argument over the rights of each races. Each party claims that it is the wish that the 1Malaysia concept be taken seriously without even knowing that both parties viewed this very concept differently.

7. So who is to be blamed for this confusion? Is it just PM Najib? Or perhaps just the individual races for being intolerant against and are not willing to bow down to other races?

8. A friend of mine suggested that Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first PM is to be blamed. He was after all, the person to have strongly agreed on having party races (BN, MIC and MCA). Then again, can he fully take the blame? Many Malays disagreed to Dato Onn Ja'afar's suggestion in uniting all races in a single party back then. Does this make it the Malay's fault?

9. Perhaps not so as well. It is known that the Chinese has an edge over the Malays economically. If under a single party, it is possible for the malays to be singled out, allowing the Chinese to fully take control over the country both politically and economically. What TAR did was understandable as he too has to protect "his people".

10. More than 50years has passed and we are still so disunited. Perhaps even more so compared to the olden days. If someone is to be blamed, I personally feel that everyone is at fault. Not just the politicians, but every individual as well.

11. The 3 main races will never compromise with each other unless an outside force were to force it to. Until that time, equal rights will perhaps never be achieved and therefore the slogan 1Malaysia will just be another slogan that means nothing else but false hope.