Malaysiakini.com (http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/156967)
Malay politicians, stop poisoning Malay minds, 24 February 2011
by M Yassin
There is just too much Malay politics both from the Umno faction as well as the Pakatan faction.
It's obvious the political game that is being played by both sides is meant only to serve their own personal agendas rather than society.
Malaysian Malays are sick and tired of this endless charade that seems to be aimed at dividing the people based on religion rather than aiming at unity, based on the culture of Malaysia.
The present Malaysian Malays are not Arabs, Pakistanis or Afghans, but Malaysians along with the rest of Non-Malays.
Our Malay culture had evolved based on the the non-Malay traditions and practice of the Chinese and Indians. Can any Malay challenge this?
Malay politicians need to understand that Malay culture is a confluence of others, resulting in a Malaysian culture being created.
The moderate and reasonable Malaysian Malays are aware of this.
But the Malay politicians love bringing up religion into the equation to create 'me against Non-Malay' scenarios like what we have seen lately as in the 'Interlok' affair.
There is nothing wrong with the religion, but it has to be in moderation as our nation is not of Islamic culture but a Malaysian culture that involves the three major races.
Without doubt even the Malays realise that the Islamisation policies and the lopsided NEP are tearing away the unity of the nation and its people.
The biggest culprit is Malay politics from both factions which seems to be focusing on policies or discreet practices in their agendas to maintain their position in the political structure.
Why I am targeting the Malay politicians is because they are the powerhouses of Malaysian politics. If they can be reasonable and proactive in a Malaysian way for all, there will be absolutely no problem.
Such events like the recent Valentine's Day issue and the evergrowing power of Jakim seems to be unsettling the reasonable and moderate Malay population.
As I said earlier, this is not Arabia, Pakistan or Afghanistan. This is Malaysia.
A Malaysian Malay knows his religion and he does not need overreaching artificial Islamic policies to be shafted into his/her throat.
Malaysian Malays have enjoyed a harmonious and peaceful life with the Non- Malay Malaysians without much interference from politics until about 30 years ago where the Malay politicians began their campaign in Islamising Malaysia.
Since this campaign, the poorer Malay and poorer Non-Malays continues to be sidelined in their progress.
The affirmative actions for the Malays have been totally hijacked by Malay politicians along with their sidekick Non-Malay politicians.
Today, such issues like the Valentine's Day celebration and 'Interlok' for both the Malay and the non-Malay is a clear indication on the direction of these Malay politicians take, without regard to Malaysian culture and practice.
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