By Mr. Loi Bih Siang Benjamin
Political Scientist
The majority of the Malays support UMNO; and UMNO has plundered and mis-managed the wealth of this country with impunity. Therefore, to change the fate of our nation is to change the mentality of the Malays. This is the ONLY solution!
Without doubt, DAP has struggled and fought fearlessly and tirelessly over the past 4 decades aspiring to build a democratic and progressive Malaysia regardless of race and religion. However, I can only conclude that over the past 4 decades, DAP has completely failed to fight against the UMNO hegemony in the country.
DAP had never prepared itself to be the alternative of BN until 08 March 2008. And we have to acknowledge that DAP had been dragged and manipulated by UMNO to become or at least seen to become a Chinese-Chauvinist political party. The fact is that without PAS or Anwar Ibrahim, DAP will NEVER be able to engage the Malay electorate. The leadership of DAP has long been luxuriating in being recognized as the ‘Chinese Hero’ or ‘Non-Muslims’Rights Defender’.
Since DAP’s inception in 1966, the Party has failed to recognize the basic and simple fact that it is the Malays who decide the sort of leaders they want and they have voted UMNO in for 12 consecutive General Elections.
UMNO had always been perceived as the sole defender of Malay supremacy with their special rights and privileges, even if it is at the expense of other ethnic groups. It doesn’t require complex political analysis to understand that the MAJORITY of Malays had always been staunch supporters of UMNO.
If they refuse to change their voting preference, the status quo is going to remain. The more we challenge it, the stronger UMNO will be. Thus, for DAP to directly clash with UMNO will further enhance its image as a Chinese-based party and provide UMNO with an opportunity to have more Malay sympathizers.
An example is, if they increase the number of scholarships for non-bumis, UMNO can easily tell the Kampong Malays that they have succumbed to the pressure of MCA, Gerakan and MIC. The Malays will immediately give their strong endorsement to UMNO to defend their rights. DAP, as one of the strongest opposition parties in Malaysia, is still failing to comprehend the racial game played by UMNO.
Instead of directly engaging the Malay electorate, DAP chooses to play the ZERO SUM GAME with MCA and Gerakan. These 3 Chinese-based political parties lack the basic political wisdom to survive independently in our multi-racial country where Malays/Muslims are the majority. At least we know UMNO can easily survive by means of communalism and form the government with smaller political parties.
No matter how hard DAP argues or debates with MCA or Gerakan, it won’t change the fixed mindset or mentality of the Malay electorate. Neither will MCA or Gerakan be forced to change the mindset of the Malays by DAP!
Remember the iron fact that the majority of the Malays support UMNO; and UMNO has plundered and mismanaged the wealth of this country with impunity. Therefore, to change the fate of our nation is to change the mentality of the Malays. This is the ONLY solution!
As our most respected Regent of Perak, Dr. Nazrin Shah put it, ‘The Malay mindset is a crucial factor in our nation’s stability’. Dr. Nazrin further elaborated that, ‘racial prejudice can be erased if the Malay mindset is stable and comfortable towards forging harmony. It is a pre-condition to our nation’s stability’.
May I ask Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Karpal Singh, or even the writer Liew Chin Tong, how much has DAP done over the past 40 years to change the mindset of the Malays? How much has DAP done to win the trust of the Malays? How many times has DAP challenged UMNO in open debate on the academic performance of Malay students?
Instead of getting closer and winning the hearts and trust of the Malay electorate, DAP has chosen to fight with MCA and Gerakan to play the role of Chinese Hero.
Worse still, after struggling for more than 40 years in Malaysia’s political history, DAP still doesn’t have the slightest inkling of what ‘political courtship’ is all about. Even the MOST STUPID salesman knows how to be courteous to customers and win their trust.
DAP chooses to shun Malay electorate and frighten them by:
a) Refusing to wear songkok,
b) Raising the issue of Social Contract,
c) Immediate abolition of positive discrimination policies
It’s made me wonder whether DAP is paid by UMNO to strengthen their grass root supporters! If I were a DAP leader, I would ostentatiously wear the Songkok to pro-actively court and seek Malay support for DAP. I would put aside the issue of the Social Contract and would clearly and carefully pinpoint the weaknesses of the NEP to the Malay masses before revising it.
If the Umnoputras liken the fate of the Malays in Penang to the Malays in Singapore, how is YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng going to answer this question or ‘accusation’? What YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng will do is to imitate his predecessor Dr. Koh by keeping his mouth shut and be speechless. Silence means consent!
DAP should pro-actively and sincerely urge the Malay masses to look beyond the tiny island of Singapore and focus on the plight of Malays in Batam, Bintang, Karimun and even the slum areas in Jakarta. Ask them to compare whether Singapore Malays are better off or Batam Malays are better off.
I can help organize special tours for all the Malays/bumiputras in Malaysia to visit all the Indonesian islands surrounding Singapore to see for themselves how the Malays there are living in abject poverty and sordid conditions. Many young girls in Batam, Bintang and Karimun have to prostitute themselves to feed their family. They are also deprived of the opportunity to receive basic education and training. And we know many of them have to leave their families to become maids in Singapore and Malaysia..
We should challenge UMNO – NOT to protect the Malays in Singapore, but the Malays in Batam, Bintang and Karimun! We are not defending Singapore, but we have to speak the truth to the Malay masses. Enlighten them and so they won’t be blinded and misguided by UMNO. Shame on our Education Minister who expressed the need to travel to the UK to save ‘our’ so-called prodigy Sufiah. He should go to Batam Island to join the UN’s efforts to curb child prostitution!
For DAP’s information, Singapore Malays have progressed very well. Over the last 15 years, they have improved significantly in their academic performance. Singapore Malays have the highest percentage of home ownership as compared to the Malays in Malaysia and Indonesia! DAP does not have to defend PAP, but I would encourage YAB Mr. Lim to invite Dr. Mahathir for a telecast debate on the plight of Malays in Singapore.
Dr. Mahathir always reminds the Malays in our country to look at the Malays in Singapore, how ‘miserable’ they are without firm control in politics. For Mahathir’s information, the Singapore Parliament Speaker is a Malay and the Finance Minister an Indian Muslim like Mahathir. And so far, I have not heard of Singapore Malays being maids in Malaysia or Indonesia, and neither have I heard of a large number of young Malay girls in Singapore prostituting themselves to feed their family.
As Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, DAP leaders should openly and publicly support the teachings of the Quran in our country. I voted for PAS on 8th March to close down casinos, horse-racing, 4D and TOTO. Non-Muslims have long been paying a second tax to the UMNO government by ‘gambling-off’ their whole family savings and children’s education to win the trust and respect of Malays and Muslims.
DAP should advocate the closure of casinos, 4D, TOTO, and horse-racing as all these vice activities operators are UMNO agents. They take gambling money from non-Muslims and pay it to their UMNO Master. To cut off this source of revenue for UMNO, DAP should explain to the non-Muslim community how this gambling system works in Malaysia – and teach UMNO a lesson as we must expose UMNO’s hypocrisy!
Unfortunately, DAP leaders don’t appear to have the intelligence, wit, courage and political will to have the paradigm shift and think out of the box politically. As mentioned earlier, DAP is just a political party helplessly manipulated by UMNO. By just simply advocating the banning of gambling, DAP could win the respect and trust of Malays and Muslims plus save many non-Muslims from bankruptcy and family problems. But most importantly, it cuts off a large chunk of revenue from UMNO. ONE stone killing 3 birds.
Instead of shouting and arguing with ridiculous Umnoputras in Parliament, I urge DAP to instruct each of their members to befriend at least 10 Malays to explain to them the challenge of this ever-changing globalized economy and how we have to work together regardless of race and religion for a better Malaysia. When the Malay mindsets change, Malaysia will change; and vice-versa.
DAP, hear me and hear me well. You may be sincere, but you are sincerely wrong in Malaysian politics. Go and study what made UMNO strong. Do your political analysis. Also, DAP, you must remember that PAS is your true friend, even though they talked with UMNO. They are righteous and godly people that won’t succumb to the temptation of money. That is not the case with Keadilan. Except Anwar and a few top leaders, many Keadilan people are still carrying the UMNO-DNA, as we have witnessed with the running dog Ezam and Nalla betraying the party.
DAP, you should acknowledge the fact that the special rights and position of Malays/bumiputras are enshrined in our constitution.. You have to respect it. You must have a complete and comprehensive Malay agenda to compete with UMNO. For example, the Penang state government can provide free but compulsory tuition for Penang Malay students at schools. DAP must cultivate and nurture the Malays in Penang to excel in academics and be able to compete on equal footing with others. Penang Malays must be the locomotive change of mindset to the rest of the Malays in our country. If DAP fails to change the Malay mindset in Penang, DAP will never be qualified to be addressed as a ‘National’ party.
Lastly, DAP, you still have a long way to go and you really have to learn again who’s given UMNO power. Go to their power base, seize their power and cut off their power supply! For a progressive and better Malaysia, wearing the songkok is a trivial matter.
If necessary, let Anwar’s new cabinet be full of capable Malays like Dr. Syed Husin Ali, Dr. Azly Rahman, Dr. Bakri Musa, Tuanku Abdul Aziz, etc. to prove to the Malay masses that we, Chinese, are not power hungry; we don’t choose to ‘pegang’ so as to destroy their livelihood as UMNO has claimed. We can prove to them that even though there is only 1 Chinese Minister in the Cabinet, it is still okay to us if the highly capable and honest Malay leaders can lead our country to greater heights and serve the rakyat wholeheartedly regardless of race, language and religion!
Please learn, understand and even master the UMNO’s Art of War in Politics.
‘Know your enemies and know yourself, hundred battles hundred victories’ – ‘Sun Tzu’s Art of War’.
FOR A BETTER MALAYSIA
Hidup Malaysia…
Agreed. DAP needs a paradigm shift. Look further, with visions. Malaysia or the world has changed so much in the last 40 years. it really does not matter whether the road signs are multilingual. let’s move away from these trivial stuffs and focus on the priorities.
I am in TOTAL agreement with the author of this paper! Just to engage BN/UMNO in rhetoric through the wed is not going to be successful in the long term. even if a non-Malay is a DPM with no power means very little. As years go by, Malay voters can only grow faster than the rest and their sway will count. The current stand to finish off either MCA and Gerakan will not guarantee that DAP will be able to play even Centre-back, let alone Centre-forward!
States under PR are good locations to show your skills and your intention to create the kind of society you can offer. There is enough bashing of our neighbor in the South; the Super-EGO will continue to find ways and means to glorify himself by comparing the so-called freedom in our press!! Of course, in the South we have Laulee who wanted to carry on for fears that the financial empire he had created will disappear, whereas in our Bolehland, the Super-Ego wanted to stay on because inflation has diminished his earlier booty! That is the difference!
We can see the kind of reactions from the Malay society in general whenever certain issues are touched. It is foolish to talk on the Fatwa on yoga by non-muslim. It is a club that permits only its members to decide, so if you want to say something about it, join the club! If you prefer to stay outside it, its decision won’t affect you; whereas when it makes rules that affect those outside its premises then we have our rights to say it!
This is the way they want it, globalization or glocalization, either way, it is their social lives that they prefer to live!
Dear YB
I’ve been reading your blog with great interest. I respect you and your opinions. But this posting made be register and comment. The writer is absolutely right. I hope you do seriously consider implementing some of his suggestions. You should also try to increase Malay membership in your party.
The other part that I find very true although it may seem counter intuitive is when the writer says that PAS is DAP’s true friend. With all due respect to Anwar Ibrahim, I am deeply sceptical of PKR but have no problems choosing PAS or DAP. The word among certain suppliers (but this is just hearsay) is that if you replace UMNO with PKR, you will just have to ‘pay off’ a different set of people. Of course I could be wrong, and I apologize if I am but I am just stating what I hear.
Thank you for allowing us to communicate with you.
Well, it’s quite long piece.
And it boils down it one thing. Get the Malays to change.
What the author (political scientist) failed to understand is that for as long as anyone can remember, the government has an iron grip on the so-called MSM.
And has used it to very good effect. If the author just bother to read any newspaper, he’ll realise that it is completely biased in favour of the government; everything that the opposition, especially the DAP did was wrong and anti-Malays.
Also, if the author is more aware, he will realise that the Election Machinery is similarly disposed. I wonder whether he knows about the extention of the Election Commission chairman for one year? Even the Constitution has to be changed to accomodate this! Did the BN government did this for fun?
Even the last GE was an on and off affair. To spring a surprise on the opposition.
The same thing with the indelible ink! You think that the government dropped it for fun?
Does the author knows that the postal votes are in the hands of the government, to skew the election?
All these and more were done to ensure that the BN, especially UMNO holds the power in this country.
Does the author realise that it is far, far easier for a Malay to approach another Malay and make a sales pitch to bring about a change in the mindset?
The fact that DSAI joined the opposition was a fortuitous act brought about by his persecution by the government.
It was through him mainly and the PAS that the Malay votes swung in the last GE; if not, we won’t be where we are today.
It is indeed very frustrating to see the country in the deplorable situation that it is in today and to see those who brought about the situation still being admired by multitudes of people. And the MSM making heroes out of them!
Also in this country those with the most bagage get the most votes! That’s how powerful their propaganda machinery is!
I have also been very pessimistic in the past but I believe that the last GE did give us some hope.
The other alternative is to follow what the Thais are doing now or what the Philipines did some years back!
I DISAGREE WITH THE WRITER THAT DAP MUST FOLLOW UMNO METHOD. IN THAT CASE WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UMNO & DAP.
DAP is founded on the priciple of Malaysia For Malaysians without having to sacrifice anyone’s rights. DAP is fighting for everyone. Maybe that’s the reason the Malays do not see DAP as a good alternative to UMNO. There’s where DAP need to organize good PR work to work with grassroots.
Please look @ OBAMA campaign mgmt. He was able to cut across all strata of society, he reached out to all. MCA & GERAKAN are dead bodies, no point flogging them.
U need to take on UMNO & show how the Malays have lost 2 generations believing them.
i would advocate birth control – make the kampung folks understand that numbers do not equal quality. likewise procreate only when able to provide economic sustenance.
Setup more birth control workshops to kick off a change in mindset.
The purpose of Malay Privilege in constitution is to help the Malay to raise their economic. It is not the purpose for suppress other races and use it politically.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong should have the responsibility act on the advice of the Cabinet, to ensure the reservation for Malays of such quotas as he may deem reasonable and he also required to safeguard the legitimate interest of others communities.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong should caused a review of the reservation from time to time.
There is what the purpose of the Malay Privilege condition in constitution it can phase out in times but not main purpose to stay there forever to suppress other legitimate interest of others communities for theirs own advantage.
If the condition above not true the Independent Father Tunku Abdul Rahman would not stated as follow:
As Independent Father Tunku Abdul Rahman. stated that “For those who love and feel they owe undivided loyalty to this country, we will welcome them as Malayans. They must truly be Malayans, and they will have the same rights and privileges as the Malays.”
It have been misused for the politic purpose, for suppress legitimate interest of others communities, and for discrimination on grounds of race and creed which totaly stand against the statement of as folllow:
The Independent Father Tunku and the Malay rulers had asked the Reid Commission to ensure that “in an independent Malaya all nationals should be accorded equal rights, privileges and opportunities and there must not be discrimination on grounds of race and creed,”
Political scientist?
Mr Ben, with a pen in hand you can sit comfortably on your chair and type away with glee and call yourself political scientist. Please let us know your full CV because your essay is one big bull, written without any research on DAP’s struggle through its 40 odd years of existence.
You are critical of the DAP but what have you contributed in terms of ideas in your essay.
The DAP was never a Chinese chauvinistic party!!! It stood up for Truth, Freedom and Civil liberties regardless of race.
Our political landscape, the Malay mindset in particular, was such that no Malay would chose any other party other than UMNO or PAS. Even Gerakan and PPP to failed to draw Malay membership.
With a government controlled media to paint DAP as Chinese chauvinists and PAS as Islamic fundamentalists, it succeeded in convincing the gullible Malay electorate to shun the DAP and Chinese to fear PAS.
I suggest you give your 2-sen worth to the MCA and Gerakan, for these were the parties that sold away non-Malay right for temporal perks of power and positions.
Somehow, I think many people are thinking along political lines. Yes, I do agree that it takes political knowledge to maneuver through a tough and difficult political scene as what Malaysia is. But on the other hand, I would prefer a politician who does not know how to be political.
Think of it this way. You have a politician who is very good in political games. Rhetoric, divide and rule, playing the power game, feel good slogans, spins and all… In the end, what is to be believed, what is true, what is false, what is half-truth, how do you decide? research? How many of us have time to do research to find out what the politicians say are true? Maybe just a handful while the rest will just take everything that the politician that they support at face value.
I for one, would prefer to have politicians who are straight forward like Karpal Singh, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng or Teressa Kok. What they say or do are straight forward, according to the book, by the law and no spinning around to make a feel good atmosphere. From there we can see in actuality that a cake is a cake and a pile of crap is just what it is. No added salt or sugar or ajinomoto. Would that not be better? I do think so.
So although DAP is currently not the TOP DOG in malaysia’s political scene, I do hope that DAP remains as it is and have more people who are like the 4 mentioned earlier. I do think that it would make the political scene less “interesting” than it is right now but I think all of us have had enough of all those rhetoric and slogans to last a lifetime. Anyone out there who has the same thinking???
I voted for the DAP in eight general elections because I strongly believed in its call for a Malaysian Malaysia. Despite a hostile media, intimidation by the police, incarceration of its leaders, the DAP has stood up like a Rock of Gibraltar. Leaders like Kit, Karpal have sacrificed much of their life for us and other children. That is why I stood by them since the 1970s.
But then Ben, you are not a politician. You are self proclaimed political analyst.
Is this another job application you’ve received LKS? I hope he’s not asking for RM10,000 a month – I wouldn’t trust him to open a door if he recommends throwing principles to the wind to justify ends.
OrangRojak
Swearing Consultant
Oops word salad ‘to justify ends’ should be ‘for short term gain’
Dear Benjamin,
Yes you are right. Malays do not trust DAP. To them DAP is an extension of PAP. And PAP did say that it does not trust the Malays. Remember the current PM of Singapore told reporters once that the reason why Malays cant be put in sensitive place( meaning senior hiarachy in military) as their loyalty will be in question should war take place( with Malaysia, its ever imaginary enemy).
So, after getting middle ranking places under British Army, Malays currently only hold low ranking positions in Singapore Army. So, in the world of meritocracy, suddenly race becomes a determining factor.
As for Malays, the current situation in Malaysia is actually for Malaysian Malaysia. DAP’s version of Malaysian Malaysia is to them is “Chinese Malaysia”. DAP so vocal in questioning about NEP but quiet and refuses to remind the non Malays that they also “received” something from the Malays. And that is citizenship.
DAP continues to incite the Chinese that any alliance with UMNO is a symbol of weakness. HOwever, Uncle LIm’s memory appears to be selective. He never once told the Chinese that should UMNO wants its way , no vernacular school will remain in Malaysia.
DAP continues its campaign to undermine UMNO’s position. To the Malays, it is another proof of its anti Malay attitude. It incites the Chinese to resent UMNO’s dominance in politics. The truth that UMNO’s dominance is earned through election.
It cries wolf about nepotism. But surprisingly, Guan Eng becomes SEctretary General of DAP. Other senior leaders were made to “make way” for the Crown Prince. And Penang DAP Chairman was humiliated by not given the post of Chief Minister of Penang.
But the Malays are also changing. Yes. They are becoming more vocal. Good. They are asking why on earth must they continue with mind boggling custom of voting for non Malay BN politicians when these parties, like MCA, Gerakan, MIC, indirectly question their rights. so, we have the situation where BN lost in Bandar Tun Razak, Hulu Selangor, Kota Raja, Kuantan, state seat of Kulim, Lunas.
I know Tan Chai Hoe would have lost in Bandar Tun Razak as many of the Malay voters said this “Siap kau Tan Chai Hoe”. I asked why? They are upset as one Chinese assembly HAll office in JLn Maharajalela continue to mislead the Malaysians on closure of a Chinese School in Damansara. But of course, Malays realized such reason will not find its way into vernacular newspaper.
DAP blamed UMNo for lack of non Malays in civil service and military. Who is stopping non Malay in military. Simply because you refuse to be in military, you cant blame UMNO for lack of non Malays in civil service. And why DAP never reprimand Ramasamy for his lies that UMNO leaders tore non Malay application . Where is the proof?
To the Malays, DAP continus to try to sideline BM by changing status quo on road sign. To the Malays, it is the signal of DAP not respecting the time tested saying “Dimana bumi dipijak disitu langit dijunjung”:
DAP hope that one day non malay can be PM. But it is silent on its hope on any Malay would have become Secretary General of DAP. Simply because Malays tend not to want that to happen does not mean that they are racist. JUst that Malays think it is suicidal to put the trust into DAP.
As for non Malay BN component like Gerakan, MIC, MCA, they realize that at its strongest time, UMNO still respects the feelimg of non Malays. UMNO refused to put a Malay in Ijok by election despite Anwar provoking the Malays into choosing between “kuil atau masjid”.
And in a state where Malays outnumber Indians 4 to 1, surprisingly the number of temples exceed that of mosques in Selangor. DAP supported Hindraf lies to spite the Malays.
Out of anger the Malays voted PKR. Now many( if you care to ask any Malay) regretted voting for PKR or Anwar.
should stop taking it for granted that the Agong will do what’s right – always. The role is swapped every few years right? I am sure that one day a person of much lesser stature, integrity and respect will get his turn…Who will you use as a Talisman then?
Ben wrote….Instead of getting closer and winning the hearts and trust of the Malay electorate, DAP has chosen to fight with MCA and Gerakan to play the role of Chinese Hero.
MCA and Gerakan are LIARS and TRAITORS.They had sold the chinese rights to their masters.They deserved much more than March ’08.
Ben wrote….DAP should advocate the closure of casinos, 4D, TOTO, and horse-racing as all these vice activities operators are UMNO agents. They take gambling money from non-Muslims and pay it to their UMNO Master. To cut off this source of revenue for UMNO, DAP should explain to the non-Muslim community how this gambling system works in Malaysia – and teach UMNO a lesson as we must expose UMNO’s hypocrisy!
What KOK are you instigating here! Trying to lead DAP into its own grave…wtf.
Now, who will stand to gain most if DAP were to be so STUPID,like you, to take away a leisure game of hopes,from the non-muslims in this bolehland ,where it’s citizens of different cultures are loudly and legally called pendatangs??????
So lame to try to lead DAP into a backlash and getting its supporters to shun and dump them….hmmm.Cruel, real cruel and evil of you…maybe you’ve dirt on you, so you’re repaying it with your soul huh…Ben?
It’s not a taboo to us but on the other hand it’s more than a taboo to your masters, for it’s a losing battle because Penang will stay with DAP and when LGE brings Penang up a single notch….tell me BEN, what are your masters chances of retaining Penang….maybe by then your masters needs a saikong more than anything else.
You think the new upstarts like Mps of Puchong, Segambut and a few others are going to learn anything from here?
I am not sure I could put this correctly. I think the Malays may eventually accept non Malays asking for equal rights in this country but they will never accept non Malays to have more rights or power than them in this country. Sometimes, rightly or wrongly, some members of the opposition are giving me the impression that they are being too pushy and “kurang ajar”, fighting for issues that are fundamentally unimportant but only aiming at creating sensation and animosity.
This article deserve to be discussed by the DAP members with sincerity. YB Kit, I think its worth looking at it. Well done to the writer as you are a political strategist.
The writer may not be correct but definitely he has the big picture, take it up for further deliberation YB.
Dear Cannottahan,
You have my full support on closures of gaming industry. In Fact, I respect PAS for its principle on closure of Casino, empat no ekor.
However, you are wrong to predict the demise of UMNO over closure of this gaming industry.
As for Limkamput, Malays had accepted Chinese or non Malay rights long time ago. If not , they would have objected to “jus Soli” ; that is granting citizenship en bloc to non Malays.
The issue here is that DAP championing a movement that question the rights of the Malays.
I agree in general with the main argument of the letter, although not with the specifics.
Yes, the Malays constitute over half of the population in Malaysia. Therefore winning their vote is essential. And yes, many of the chinese-ultra’s in DAP unfortunately do and say many things that are just insensitive to the Malays. Just look through some of the comments on these blog and you will find many arrogant self centred chinese-ultra comments.
What DAP needs to do is present a message that is all encompassing. That Malaysian’s of ALL races including the Malays would be well taken care off.
Unfortunately this might irk the ultra’s in DAP who are more interested in Chinese schools and Chinese signboards.
I just simply can’t agree with Mr. Benjamin – “Political Scientist”..
All he suggested is to woo the Malays and to court them to get their votes.. I don’t think he understands what are political stands and political ideology..
I suggest to Mr. Benjamin that in order for him to know more about DAP, its political ideology and what has DAP done for the past 40+ yrs, he should read Mr. Lim Kit Siang’s former political secretary Hew Kuan Yau’s book – “Beyond Dogma and Pragmatism: A Research on DAP” [in Chinese].. It’s available in most major chinese bookstores..
i have to agree with ben on most of his points, but dont share the same optimism that what he suggested would have gotten DAP very far. Before the 2008 GE, non-bumi’s voted along racial lines too. The last time DAP tried to work with PAS to fish for malay votes, non-bumi voters all lined up behind MCA and MIC. Therefore Mr Lim dont really have much choice but to play the chinese hero. But today’s political landscape have changed and so must DAP. There is no place for idealism in politics, only results.
Ben said //DAP should advocate the closure of casinos, 4D, TOTO, and horse-racing as all these vice activities operators are UMNO agents. They take gambling money from non-Muslims and pay it to their UMNO Master.//
Very well said. Do you guys know how many parents had gambling away their children university tuition fees and their futures? How many has broken homes due to such so called legal gambling activities in Malaysia?
Do you know most of the hard-core gamblers are the poors?
All such vice activities MUST BE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY!
Tun Dr Mahathir, Tun Dr Ismail Rahman, Tun Hussein Onn, Dato’ Onn Jaafar, and a myriad of Malay intelligentsia had tried to change the Malay mindset throughout Malaysia’s history but to NO avail.
Even in the 1800s the well known Munsyi Abdullah had penned about the general personality, mindset and character of the Malays. One should read the writings by Munsyi Abdullah himself so as not to be wrongly advised about his observations, views and opinions.
The failure even prompted Tun Dr Mahathir to shed tears of frustration and sorrow while addressing the UMNO Assembly. He acknowledged that one of his failures was to change the Malay mindset and resigned to the fact that he could not do it.
Well, Benjamin, one question to you:
If Tun Dr Mahathir who had been engaging the Malays from close range within UMNO for so long without any substantial and concrete success, could DAP, or for that matter any other political parties, could achieve that?
Understanding the Malay mindset is one thing; to change it is another.
It is the will and desire which will make a difference. There are many Malay personalities who had engaged closely and successfully with the Chinese and Indians; one of whom was the late Tun Dr Ismail. He is a bona fide example of one who had been truly “integrated” with his Chinese and Indian counterparts.
Similarly the chinese and indians must be sincere in their wish to blend meaningfully with their malay friends. It is simply a matter of reciprocity and mutual respect and recognition that all parties could sit down and work together. Unless and until such a common ground is taken, there is no hope of a genuine partnership between them.
Of course there are “technicalities” and “pre-conditions”, etc., etc. to be considered and looked into, which would set the circumstance and scenario. But all these should be looked at objectively and sensibly, minus the emotions. Nothing is impossible if there is sincerity and will.
“I voted for PAS on 8th March to close down casinos, horse-racing, 4D and TOTO. Non-Muslims have long been paying a second tax to the UMNO government by ‘gambling-off’….” – political scientist
Ben haven’t heard of the black market, Ben haven’t been to the Middle East, and Ben thought PAS can be use to close down UMNO.
“If necessary, let Anwar’s new cabinet be full of capable Malays like Dr. Syed Husin Ali, Dr. Azly Rahman, Dr. Bakri Musa, Tuanku Abdul Aziz, etc. to prove to the Malay masses that we, Chinese, are not power hungry; we don’t choose to ‘pegang’ so as to destroy their livelihood as UMNO has claimed.” – political scientist
OK fine! We all should just be pig farmers!
Wow!,wow!wow! both Benjamin and Eddy and all your guys have indeed made great suggustions and opinions about the DAP. I’m glad you guys did.Well as I said before and now saying and adding again.Dap’s leaders such as K. Singh,Lim Kit Siang,Lim Guan Eng are great,honest and sincere but that’s not enough. Dap should need more capable,honest and professional varriety of leaders,namely,malays, indians,ibans,kadazan/dusuns to make it real multi-racial political party for all malaysians.Tuanku Aziz is a good start.Perhaps follow byDatuk Zaid Ibrahim and other social malays activists and honest groups,for a start to scout these good,clean and honest malay leaders.This strategy should also be applied to other races. I know out there,hundreds of political leaders from all the current existing parties are interested to join the Dap when approached or some may even come straight to the Dap.I suggest Dap to be careful to accepting these leaders or so-called leaders as none dare say they are clean particularly in Sabah,Sarawak. For main land malaysia.it’s well known,many ex-political leaders and present core of these leaders ‘names have been tarnished.Voters are pretty smart now.They know who to vote .Dap in this case should be smart too as not to bluf the voters by fielding these tarnished leaders.I know it’s an extreme task for the Dap to seek .find and field all level of clean,clear,honest ,capable ,experience and professional leaders in the 13th general election.Tough through it may be,but to win big enough to form the government.DAP must do it but with complete sincereity and good faith so as to reflect the complete muliracialism of the country irrecpective of race,religion,creed,and culture.
Benjamin’s view is interesting and worthy of studying in depth by not only DAP but most so called non-Malays based political parties. However, DAP must still hold firm to the founding basic of ‘Malaysia for Malaysian’.
I have at times toiling with the same opinion as the writer that DAP should ‘more aggressively’ champion for the improvement of Malays in education, business management, industrial skill, etc because it is evident that what the government is doing had been a big failure in terms of cost effectiveness. Getting Malay officers who had never been in business to guide potential Malay businessmen to do business is like having a blind to lead a blind! This is the area where a lot of non-Malays could help. Certainly there are many more such things. Don’t care if the UMNOputras is receptive (they will never I think), just pour out the ideas and proposals in the parliament and mass media! The Malays would finally realise their non-Malay fellow countrymen are genuinely trying to improve them; this is exactly what I’m doing in my job with my Malay employees produced by the ‘hopeless’ educational institution!
Based on the responses to the article by Ben, it looks like the current scenario will never change! We will be talking on the same scenario, come 2525! Some of you just refused to accept reality of the current situation. If you can’t accept current reality, how can you try to change it? Is the objective of DAP to continue to play the current role? Or would it consider itself capable of CAUSING CHANGE? Of course, changes will come, but not necessary to the direction you are dreaming of as you refuse to confront current reality.
The one big problem I can see is many of you think that your recipe is the only recipe available in the market. The coin has not only 2 sides but also an edge and the edge connects the 2 sides; just remember this.
I believe the human race is created in different hues by the Almighty just to test how they would use their brains to resolve such issues. By the responses we have, it certainly looks like we are far from resolving most of these issues!!
I cannot agree with Ben.
DAP should never compromise on principles just to woo the majority Malays for the sake of governing. In the land of the blind, why should DAP become blind? So what if it takes 50 years or even 100 years?
Look what happened to MCA, MIC and Gerakan who pander to the Malays?
Today, most Malays have realised that they have been conned by UMNO. Majority have realised that their real enemies are not the outsiders or ‘pendatangs’ or their own own people.
DAP should continue to set its agenda in accordance to universal values of ethics, fairness and morality. Yes, by all means, continue the alliance with Keadilan, PAS to form a better alternative to BN and the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Pendatangs etc shall flock in greater numbers towards PAKATAN RAKYAT!
No matter what, i will not vote for anyone/political parties align with UMNO.
I think is quite straight forward, imagine today if BN government is not corrupted and manage the country well, there will be no Pakatan Rakyat. Pakatan Rakyat was conceived and born out of a corrupted government, and not because of equal rights. I am against MCA not because it is a racist Chinese political party, I am against MCA because its members are corrupted to the core, I am against MCA because their corrupted practice gave the Chinese a bad reputation. I am against MCA because they are like UMNO, they say the fight for the Chinese, but it turned out they are fighting for the own pockets!
MCA and Gerakan are Chinese’s worst enemy.
Politically, this is a fight between decent Malaysians and corrupted politicians.
The one who bring up the issue of Jus Soli is quite weird for me. Which part in this earth do not grant citizenship for those being born on that peace of land. have the whites who bring the africans to US declared that they have granted the africans citizenship out of courtesy and grace – and, thus, they should have privileges which discriminates the africans?
Equality and equity should be the core values of the people, and affirmative actions should only be used to help those who truly need it. But here, various policies of affirmative actions are used as a political tool to grab the supports of localites for the corrupted politicians’ agenda. That’s why malay rights is issues which are brought up again and again by UMNO in their fright tactics, but not the orang asli’s rights.
Not sure if my early post has been uploaded, but it seems to be that benjamin sounds more like a political strategist but not a political scientist. He covered strategies to garner support from the malays, but did not offer a viable solution on economical, educational, ideological and sociological aspects.
uncle lim , you should meet up with this chap and have a brain stoeming with him! good ideas and its worth a look at.
hear hear!
A great article and many valid points for everyone to ponder.
In order to form the government and to lead the country, any political party need to appeal to the majority. I totally agreed with Ben in order for this country to change for the better, the majority in this country need to have a paradigm change in the form of their mindset and belief system. And that is the biggest task, if not the most challenging task in hand for DAP. You have in one hand the majority who may not have adequate understanding and level of education to really comprehend what is good for the country, and at the same time an ill intended ruling party instilling the negative propaganda at all times through the state – controlled
media that it monopolise.
It is a big task ahead, but a small step will lead to a quantum leap. It takes more than 200 years for USA to elect a president regardless of skin colour, How long will it take for Malaysia ?
DAP had no choice.
First 25 years…all agreed to help the Malays…and at that time…most Malays lived in villges and small towns..contented and care free.
School books…and educational system…had started to find ways and means……how to hero worship Malays……with false history..to make Malays proud and cement their minds…to think…….Malaysia is owned by them…and others are kindly treated by Malays…as their guests or second class citizens.
Be ungrateful and illogical …..seeds well planted by UMNO.
DAP did expose everything…..but the limited educated Malays keep thinking DAP is a troublesome political party.. and fighting for the Chinese in every front…and expect them to think like Malaysians….quite impossible with the powerful UMNO…MCA…MIC…well accepted by Malays.. Indians..but never the .. majority Chinese.
It is easy to judge DAP as a Chinese party…..which Malaysians know…it is not….as DAP was supporting Lee Kuan Yew’s Malaysian Malaysia. How can one talk about Malaysians and be a racialist party?
UMNO controls TV..one sided news …keep churning out…and …just look at the evil hands of few Malays…using a planned riot to oust out Tunku. Such is the start of realizing how UMNO can play race and religion ..dirty politics ….and to what levels.
DAP also had his fair share of internal power struggle family matters. One false move by DAP…all headline news.
Without Lim Kit Siang…….DAP is nothing.
UMNO kept trying to lure DAP into BN…and promise LKS minister post and wealth.
Had LKS thought like a Chinese and not as a Malaysian…he would be far more richer than Lee Lum Thye.
It will be too long and boring to keep proving DAP is not a racialist party at all.
It’s the Malays that are very racialists…..being successfully programed to be so….by UMNO….because of their greediness…and lazy attitudes.
It is the end results….that we see…Malays are infact…divided…chosen…being controlled…used…treated like children…spoon fed..to be lazy…force to perform strict religious rituals…that the educated sons….know UMNO is the real evil government….and not DAP.
And UMNO Malays turned to be very greedy….love to be decorate with false titles….and live with arrogance…doing as they like…like small dictators…all over Malaysia.
Anwar was the real threat to Mahathir….and one that is rooted to be a true Malaysian.
Mahathir knew that….and he showed UMNO how to progress with dirty politics….and be brave to get rich..by smart and legal means…all shown by Mahathir…the snake ….a devil reincarnated man.
Mahathir 22 years taught all evil things done by UMNO…to the extreme.
He has so many good students….love to be like him…so smart..so cunning…so confident to steal ….yet not proven unlawful…and under Dollah….on going.
How do one expect DAP…to concentrate on party development …when so many crisis…to be exposed……year in year out by LKS.
Did LKS and LEG ….Karpal….all went to jail….for Chinese or Malaysians?
yeah…right…
The NEP have turned the Malays as a pirates among us.
This NEP supposed end in 1990…and they come out same methods with difference name…with no end…
Please open you eyes and minds to listen the BN says….don’t be a fool again…to believe them what they says….as long as the NEP policy not abolish….there is still like pirates among us…rob off others right…even get threaten …
This privilege given by the rulers….and people can bestrayed the rulers abolish their rights in the constitution.
Can you trust this people?
Be care what they say and what you hear.
I mean be careful what they say and what you hear from them.
Else we would be like a fool, they may not appreciate you but may laugh at you why are you stupid like a fool again.
DAP had never prepared itself to be the alternative of BN until 08 March 2008. And we have to acknowledge that DAP had been dragged and manipulated by UMNO to become or at least seen to become a Chinese-Chauvinist political party. The fact is that without PAS or Anwar Ibrahim, DAP will NEVER be able to engage the Malay electorate. The leadership of DAP has long been luxuriating in being recognized as the ‘Chinese Hero’ or ‘Non-Muslims’Rights Defender’.
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Having read to this very paragraph, I can’t agree with the author -Benjamin more.
In US for example, more than 100 years back, without the courage and doyen of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln for a start, I can’t see how the blacks are liberated from slavery.
The racist institutionalized system did not end there and the segregationist system continues to beset the blacks.
The inference : The whites in US came to defend and repel all racist laws and Ordinances that we see US today.
DAP and PAS can be compare for one similarities – stupidity.
Pre-eminent leader like PAS’ Nik Aziz and DAP’s stalwart Lim Kit Siang and being propagated by the BN as bogeymen to the Chinese and Malays wherein in actuality a noble man like Nik Aziz for his Islamization are merely rhetorical stupidities and the same apply to LKS for you relentless belligerence whenever a smidgen of superiority of Islam came into limelight.
You should have played one thing -“the game” well. Noticably, your admiration of US President elect Barrack Obama (signifying the first colored leader would be replicated in Malaysia) during his campaign
often stonewalled the issue of race- his own paternal race -blacks whenever being asked whether to alleviate the status of blacks in America.
Obama would not have done it without the help of the Whites – Gregory craig and many other whites who selflessly made him the first American black President.
You should have let Anwar Ibrahim take charge, allowing him to be your back-seat-driver at least knowing the reality of the moment that we are like US more than years back, talking about race, not to mention the stupidity and unthinkable of wanting a non-Malays PM.
Another thought, they once called Hitler a madman, others call him an idiot- he should have stir the US to fight against the Soviet Union, the 2 Superpowers at that time.
Think smart Y.B. as many Malays are calling you a dinosaur as you deserve that atavistic accolade.
The analysis seem logical, convincing and interesting. But when we are dealing with a whole lot of a culture and a race in the politics, there are more to it than the simplistic view. It may be true to a certain extent but there many other considerations that need to be weighed. A paradign shift in the right direction is alright, a paradigm shift in the ‘wrong’ direction will be fatal to DAP too.
There is no one simple antidote to all the ‘ills’ we are facing here. It will be a combination of many factors.
DAP is giving the impression that it tries to be the total opposite of UMNO, by fighting corruption, trying to abolish the NEP and ISA, upholding rights of non-Malays. Its like the other extreme of UMNO, to create a balance of what harm UMNO is doing. This probably made them gain the total support of the non-Malays, but I think they might lose some of the Malay votes. I think why not DAP fight for all races: the Chinese, Indian, and the less well-to-be Malays. Gain everybody’s votes.
Ben Loi said it all. DAP should take heed of the advices and transform for the betterment of all.
As written to you before YB Lim, actually we dont really care who going to be the Prime Minister or Chief Minister or Menteri Besar so long as these leaders are fair, just, clean (to certain extend as most are filled with dirt) and far sighted. Someone who can lead this nation to a greater high while keep the unity among all races. Whether Chinese or not is not important as at present moment as the majority still unprepare for sudden change like in the US. Probably need another 100 yrs to see a PM of another race be it Indian or Chinese etc. So at present moment DAP should learn to walk one step at a time to build the foundation of trust and confident from other races.
As long as NEP is there.
It is very difficult to allow the capable people to perform.
The NEP is blocking this country to grow in high speed.
If there is no NEP blocking the capable people to perform.
The pronton may be as best as the KOREA HYUNDAI.
We may have the best financial centre in Asia.
Many Malays do not know that in the 1950 Malaya is among the richest Asia countries in the world.
And all this fortune created by the Chinese in Tin Mine and the india in the rubber estate.
If there is no blocking of NEP we have already developed this land as the best country in the SOUTH EAST ASIA.
I have only one word or make it three for this Benjamin guy:
Interesting but misguided.
“If necessary, let Anwar’s new cabinet be full of capable Malays like Dr. Syed Husin Ali, Dr. Azly Rahman, Dr. Bakri Musa, Tuanku Abdul Aziz…”
He’d do better if he gives some attention to details like names – it is Tunku and not Tuanku. I’ll leave you to figure out the difference.
DAP chooses to shun Malay electorate and frighten them by:
a) Refusing to wear songkok,
b) Raising the issue of Social Contract,
c) Immediate abolition of positive discrimination policies
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Why should the DAP want to “shun the Malay electorate”?? Its leaders are not that stupid as to entertain such thoughts. They know that if every Chinese were to vote for the DAP and every Malay were to vote for UMNO, they would lose out.
The issue of Social Contract is another way of looking for a consensus. It is an attempt to get back to basics, if you will. Interestingly enough, both sides managed to formulate their definition of the ‘social contract’ to advance their own cause.
Assimilation is anathema to the Chinese. Unfortunately, the wearing of the songkok is seen by most as acceptance of the cultural superiority of the Malays – with some Malays seeing this as part of the Islamisation process. None would, of course, be stupid as to really think that by forcing the non-Malays to wear songkok at official and state functions would make Muslims out of the Chinese.
For comparison, Indonesian Chinese put on the songkok as part of their national attire without losing their Chineseness. Why can’t the Malaysian Chinese do the same – unless of course the songkok issue has been caught up with issues of religion and recently the “Ketuanan Melayu” bull.
If you’re talking about affirmative action policies and relating that part of the national policy to how successful UMNO has been in helping the country establish a Malay middle class where there was none, there is somehing to be said about that. But the constitutional provision relied upon to legitimize such discrimination has long expired.
It should be seen as a human rights issue.
Very well spoken by Mr. Loi Bih Siang Benjamin..i hope DAP can be as what is written by Mr Benjamin..and to YB LKS, do you realise that to form a stable govt, u need to win the support of the BUmis..Until now, to most of them, DAP is just a party to fight for the Chinese community..I strongly agree with what uttered by Mr. Loi Bih Siang Benjamin