MALAYS VERSUS MALAYS

Why have there been over the last few years and in the more recent months, a mounting challenge and rejection towards UMNO/BN? Why has there been so much talk by party elders that UMNO no longer holds true to its pledges that were so beautifully crafted by its founding fathers? Arrogance, thievery, abuse, denials and corruption seem to be the pledges that UMNO/BN now upholds. Honour, trust worthiness, forthrightness, dignity and honestly aren’t important any more. Aren’t these the very traits that Malays and Muslims should be upholding? But why are these traits so blatantly ignored? It is greed – nothing else – worldly greed, and they think that all that they have acquired in this world (illegally or otherwise) will serve them in the hereafter.

I could understand if it is the non Malays that are increasingly distasteful and critical towards UMNO (supposedly to represent the Malay race), but that simply isn’t the case today. It is the Malays; their brethrens that have gotten tired of UMNO, which had caused the Malays to be divided into factions, i.e. UMNO Malays and non UMNO Malays. Tell me which super rich Malays has survived without any political connections? And none will ever dare tell the truth.

Factional disagreement has become so apparent today; hence the creation of ABU (Asalkan Bukan UMNO or Anything But UMNO) led predominantly by Malay groups is a case in point. And the most recent being the unequivocal demand by university student groups for greater freedom of expression and the abolishment of UUCA, and they daringly challenge the government with a mammoth student protest, should their demands be ignored. These student groups are again led predominantly by Malays with a conscience and determination to rid off any ruling that stifle their academic freedom.

Are we not witnessing a new generation of Malay youth that are no longer foolish and can be easily cowed? These are students that know their rights and are willing to face the consequences of their actions? Adam Adli and several others represents that new generation of youth; a reformist at heart, that has all the making of our future leaders with great potential.

Out of curiosity, I goggle “UMNO” and the opening sentence reads, “UMNO emphasizes as its foundation the struggle to uphold the aspiration of Malay nationalism and the dignity of race, religion and country. The party also aspires to protect the Malay culture as the national culture and to uphold, defend and expand Islam”. These are princely statements that aim to nurture the Malay race into a respectable, reputable, honorable and dignified, and ultimately a God fearing race.

But what has UMNO turn itself to be today? How shameless can they be to talk about ‘ketuanan Melayu’ when it isn’t what the founding fathers wanted the party to uphold. How shameless can they be when they keep saying that the Malays are poor, when they (UMNO) had for the last 50 odd years been entrusted with the responsibility to better the living standards of the Malays? How shameless can they be when they outrageously and unashamedly defend something that is deemed morally and criminally wrong, just because the offender or perpetrator is of their kind? Even dignity and honour is trampled with, and even the position of our Rulers was once challenged. It is arrogance, power, greed and self preserving interest that have overawed them. To deny every wrong doing seems the only way of self survival.

Yes, the Malays are poor (a claim by UMNO), but certainly not among the UMNO elites and their cronies. This is the problem with UMNO that had themselve to blame for creating a division among their own race, and that division is getting wider by the day. That division has now become so intense that many moral and religious values that are so deeply entrenched among the Malays are deliberately cast aside. Sex and scandalous remarks of others takes center stage. Lies to demean and to cast others as unworthy of being human rule the day. Even swearing in mosques is fashionable; a recourse to proof ones innocence and having no thought of fearing God’s retributions. Who preaches to them to take swearing in the name of Allah SWT so lightly?

Never has there been in the last 50 odd years an opposition worthy as it is today. I think this is good for democracy to work where dictatorial tendencies, long the practice among some UMNO/BN elites are slowly being cast away. Check and balance are in place. Close scrutiny is kept over every deal made and there is also now greater awareness among the general public of government spending and activities.

Let us hope that such strong opposition will prevail after the general elections (regardless which party wins) for this country to move ahead and for democracy to survive. I will keep criticizing UMNO/BN for I think I love my country and my race more.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION