How Hindraf and the civil society movements can come together
There are those who say I am anti-Indian or anti-Hindraf. My outspokenness towards a single-race struggle has been condemned as that of an anti-Indian or anti-Hindraf stance. And many who propagate the Hindraf cause have taken me to task for this perceived ‘anti’ stance. Maybe it is time I made my stance clear, for whatever it is worth.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
I have had meetings with Hindraf’s London-based chairman, P. Waythamoorthy, quite a number of times over the last year or so to discuss how the ‘Indian struggle’ can be broadened to include Malaysians of non-Indian ethnicity. My contention is that Hindraf needs to appear less Indian and more Malaysian to attract Malays and Chinese to its cause.
My argument is that we are not downplaying the Indian problem as much as we are saying that the problem the Indians face are also faced by the Malays and Chinese as well as the natives of East Malaysia. Poverty, after all, does not discriminate. Poverty is colour-blind. It affects all races. So if Hindraf’s struggle is to alleviate the lot of the downtrodden then it should be for the downtrodden of all races, not just the Indians.
Moorthy and I both agreed that this would be a difficult thing to ‘sell’ to the Indians. The Chinese have their ‘strong economy’ to fall back on while the Malays have their ‘government protection’ under the new Economic Policy (NEP). What do the Indians have other than the MIC, which has failed to deliver what it is supposed to deliver?
Notwithstanding the uphill battle ahead of us, we agreed to try and give it a shot and see whether we can convince the Indians that it is to their interest that the Malays and Chinese rally to their cause. And I came out with a brief ‘concept paper’ to explain what we are seeking and what we can achieve if the other non-Indian-based civil society movements make an ‘alliance’ of sorts with Hindraf.
At worse we will be accused of being too idealistic -- but idealistic or otherwise we can never be accused of insincerity in attempting to solve the ‘Indian problem' by including the Malays and Chinese in the Hindraf cause.
As follows is the brief concept paper that I prepared and which I handed to Moorthy. In principle he is agreeable to the spirit of the paper although he feels some polishing up needs to be done to the paper to clarify certain areas and make it more specific. My contention is that this is merely a choice of words and rearrangement of sentence structure, which does not change what we want to say one bit.
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The Hindraf cause should be a Malaysian cause
Though the New Economic Policy (NEP), which was introduced in 1970, was aimed at eventually eradicating poverty ‘irrespective of race’ and to undertake economic restructuring so as to eliminate the identification of ethnicity, its implementation within the framework of the race-based system of governance has led to a state of affairs where poverty and inequities persist.
The NEP and its successor policies have enriched a small community of elites at the expense of the overwhelming majority and the creation of a belief of racial supremacy on the part of some conclusively show that it is imperative that the Malaysian system of affirmative action be seriously reconsidered.
A significant percentage of the population are still living in poverty and face serious difficulties in fulfilling the most basic of needs and expectations. In the East Malaysian States of Sabah and Sarawak, some rural communities live in absolute poverty with no access to basic needs such as potable and clean water, electricity, and other essential amenities. In the West Malaysian states, the Indian community is the main victim although many Malays and Chinese are no less spared.
The rising incidence of urban poverty is leading to an alarming increase in the crime rate. The poverty cycle threatens to self-perpetuate due to a lack of opportunities for higher education for those from the lower economic segment of the population, in particular the Indians. There is a serious deficiency in the quality and capability of human capital with a rising number of local graduates finding it difficult to find employment.
A denial of access to opportunities has led to a growing disenfranchisement that can potentially become a serious threat to stability and the Malaysian way of life. The system of governance having emphasised the differences amongst the racial communities, it is not unlikely that in the event of any unrest, such unrest may manifest along racial and religious lines.
Poverty does not discriminate. Poverty does not recognise race. Poverty touches all segments of society whether they are the natives of East Malaysia or the Indians, Chinese, Malays and Orang Asli of West Malaysia. It is time, therefore, for Hindraf’s struggle to include all races and for all races to participate in Hindraf’s struggle.
Invariably, since the Indians are the more dispossessed group, the struggle to reduce poverty and for more equitability in all sectors, education included, would automatically improve the lot of the Indians. But in doing so the lot of the other communities would not be forsaken.
Hindraf aspires to see the end of a race-based system of governance in favour of a non-race-based, integrated system of governance. This should also be the aspiration of all Malaysians regardless of race. Hindraf also desires that the policy of affirmative action be reconsidered with a view to establishing a system that ensures that the objective of poverty eradication can be achieved efficiently, effectively and inclusively. And this too is what most Malaysians desire. Therefore, the aspirations and desires of Hindraf are compatible with that of all non-Indian Malaysians, which means there is nothing to prevent all Malaysians from supporting the Hindraf struggle for a better Malaysia for all.
We are committed to the need of the dismantling of any and all remaining practices of ‘divide and rule’ in public administration and to put in place an affirmative action programme at Federal and all State levels to eradicate poverty and marginalisation from amongst the weak and backward groups irrespective of race, social background and religion.
Special attention must also be given to the Orang Asli in the Peninsula and all the indigenous groups in Sabah and Sarawak. Various laws and regulations pertaining to this community must also be amended or formulated so that justice is served, including establishing a Commission to protect Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and to resolve disputes relating to such lands while respecting their traditions and customs.
National integration should also be strengthened through the restoration of the rights and privileges that were promised to the people of Sabah and Sarawak. An independent ‘Ethnic Relations Council’ should also be set up that will report directly to Parliament to help in building a united Bangsa Malaysia.
In fulfilling this concept of a Bangsa Malaysia, Hindraf needs to broaden its struggle to include the needs of all Malaysians, irrespective of race, and for all Malaysians, irrespective of race, to support the Hindraf struggle to improve the lot of all Malaysians without ignoring the reality that the Indians and Orang Asli of West Malaysia and the natives of East Malaysia are the more displaced community.
written by Malaysia Baru, September 06, 2010 19:56:14
ISOLATE them.....NOW ! before the country is turned into dust !
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written by Logger123, September 06, 2010 14:37:07
Hindraf's next step would be the commie way, peasants and serfs unite! This then would be the best way to position Hindraf in the scheme of things. A revival of the old Barisan Sosialis of yore.
This will ensure Hindraf keeps its Indian core and reach out to the rest of the Malaysian poor.
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written by JJFoo, September 06, 2010 11:16:10
It’s either the Rakyat fight as one, from a common multi-racial “Bangsa Malaysia” platform, enjoy and suffer the same fate as the next person standing beside you regardless of ethnic origin
or
vote for racists, there you have many choices, Malay racist “UMNO”, Indian racist “MIC”, Chinese racist “MCA” and a range of racist’s arse licking parties and be screwed for the next five decades.
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Most Malaysians have been mentally perverted by decades of “racist” indoctrination and view racial decimation as a way of life, but be warned, racial decimation does not stop at the race level, and it goes right up to your doorsteps.
Example: -
Malaysians were sub-divided into Non-Bumi and Bumi.
Bumi was sub-divided into – Non-Muslim Bumi (Iban, Kadasan, straits born Portuguese and etc) and Muslim Malay Bumi (including Mamak and those Melayu“celup”, but unsure on the statues for those Chinese’s Malay wanabe Abdullahs).
Muslim Malay Bumi was again sub-divided into Non or Anti-UMNO Bumi (eg those Malays from opposition states) and Pro-UMNO Bumi (eg. those crooked knife waving thugs, goons and crooks).
In time of power struggle those Pro-UMNO Bumi would again sub-divide themselves into different UMNO groups by state and then by Malay ethnics (such as Bugis, Java, Bajau and etc), backing different elite groups or individual, whoever have the most to offer. This will start on the national level then state level, district level, street level and finally ends at individual’s doorsteps.
Start with turning one ethnic group against another and ends with individual against individual.
The main benefactor will be the bunch of crooks who dares to implement the most severe and unscrupulous forms of racism, all at the expense of the nation and its Rakyat which was the ultimate looser.
The clear winner at this moment happens to be UMNO/BN. The individual who seems to benefit the most from racism happens to be a “Mamak” who got to rule for 22 years but those seeds of racism sown by him will hunt this nation for generations to come.
Mr.P.Waythamoorth, Malaysians have enough of those so called “race struggle” which was the root cause to the discrimination our Indian bros are suffering today, for Pete sake, tries “Malaysian struggle” for a change.
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written by Nunuk Ragang, September 06, 2010 10:08:00
The Chinese have their ‘strong economy’ to fall back on while the Malays have their ‘government protection’ under the new Economic Policy (NEP).
Poverty does not discriminate. Poverty does not recognise race. Poverty touches all segments of society whether they are the natives of East Malaysia or the Indians, Chinese, Malays and Orang Asli of West Malaysia. It is time, therefore, for Hindraf’s struggle to include all races and for all races to participate in Hindraf’s struggle.
National integration should also be strengthened through the restoration of the rights and privileges that were promised to the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Thorougly agree with you sir..the common Indians and common Natives of Sabah & Sarawak has a common ground in that both have been neglected and their people have been left to fend for themselves whilst their politician leaders are enriching themselves with state/taxpayer's money and are masters in disguise pretending to care for the rakyat whilst the thought and consideration for their generation's future are way back in their train of mind and instead they're consumed with their own political agenda.
Thanks for articulating well the predicaments of the Indians, Sarawakian & Sabahan Natives sir.
We need civil society leaders who are compassionate about the predicaments of his/her people, not political leaders who use their people's predicament for their political advancement.
The problem is Sabah is the well-off Natives are those that are in politics, working in the government or depending on the government for business.
Natives of Sabah must strive to free ourself from the clasp of poverty bondage and dependancy on the government. Only then, shall we become truly independant.
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written by Better My, September 05, 2010 20:12:54
Assuming you are right, that Hindraf will die a natural by speaking on Malaysian platform along the concept papers above with some Indian focus, and urging the Indian go with PR, and assuming the ignorant follow you , wouln't that be the best results for the Indian, with Hindraf more like a NGO post GE, with a more likely possibility of them fighting another day for the Indian in an open PR government.
Or would you prefer that Hindraf continues to be racist and a blackmailer re Hulu Selangor, confusing the estate Indian and them return to MIC. The BeEnd mob is returned from dysfuntional dreaming Hindraf Indian Do u HONESTLY THINK that BeEnd will be good for the Indian, next decades? They have already proven BEYOND DOUBT to be exceptional useless to the the Indian interest, &chinese and malay interest). They are telling you : "IINDIAN, GO HOME". A strong Hindraf if beEnd is returned? Only will happen in your dream or sub-dream or triple loop dream, guest. If you dont understand sub-loop or triple-loop, go & buy a fake Rm$ Decpario Inception movie DVD and watch it. Indians in triple loop nestled dream.
written by a guest, September 05, 2010 14:25:26
Dear Batsman, "Refusal to negotiate and stubbornly sticking to single race demands is a formula for disaster. Is this what Hindraf wants? "
Agree with you completely. But in a country where "negotiation" is defined as submitting to the demands of the majority race, one has to be an idiot to start negotiations. Not sure whether the Hindraf guys have become idiots as yet. "
Are you soooo stupid that you can't see the policies of the PR is about all the rakyat, irrespective of color. thats what they have been saying for so long. I understand them quite clearly. Most of us do. Why can't you Indian man? Are you implying that non-Indian in PR are slefishm, ONLY looking after chinese and malay interest only ?? Is your head full of putrified cow shit with only 2gm of grey cells? Youa re off your rockers, F by the pissy drinks in the estate. Do I have to insult you more to jolt you out of your triple nested dream?
Indian man, the concept paper above is just fine by most of us, from the absence of the criticism in this thread. . For YOUR own Indian brother and sisters F sake, and all other good rakyat, we should support this concept paper now and begin to work as a united Indian/Hindraf/PR force to reach the estate Indian masses..
Who are these Indian, like this guest fellow? F me till dead and I still dont know his way of thnking.
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written by a guest, September 05, 2010 14:25:26
Agree with you completely. But in a country where "negotiation" is defined as submitting to the demands of the majority race, one has to be an idiot to start negotiations. Not sure whether the Hindraf guys have become idiots as yet.
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written by a guest, September 05, 2010 14:18:52
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written by batsman, September 05, 2010 13:26:21
Refusal to negotiate and stubbornly sticking to single race demands is a formula for disaster. Is this what Hindraf wants?
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written by hellosunshine, September 05, 2010 11:27:12
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written by Semuaok, September 05, 2010 10:31:55
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written by flyer168, September 05, 2010 01:09:50
We are all Anak Bangsa Malaysia Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, etc, etc, etc vs the Ketuanan UMNOpitras...
Seeking our 2nd True Independence (Merdeka!) from the "Shackles of Ketuanan UMNOputra Divide & Rule" Agenda...
Who will soon find out that they will be next on the list by the "Shadow Puppet Masters" above them, who inturn will be ruled by their APNO Masters towards the NWO agenda - Divide, Chaos & Rule !
Just to share this...
First They Came... (If this doesn't wake you up - nothing will!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIpyGQxa2ZY&NR=1
May 11, 2009
http://VoxRoxx.com :: http://VoxNexus.com - - 2009 ALDE Civil Liberties Campaign
Finally tho share this...
"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women" - Ronald Reagan
"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under" - Ronald Reagan
You be the judge.
Cheers & take care.
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written by SoundMan, September 05, 2010 00:00:48
Join the opposition and over turn this UMNO BeNd.
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written by SoundMan, September 04, 2010 23:58:57
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written by ibabonma, September 04, 2010 21:41:46
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written by a guest, September 04, 2010 21:12:25
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written by temenggong, September 04, 2010 21:07:05
Don't be surprised if they field Chinese and Malay candidates in the next elections. They are the only ones fighting police custody and shooting deaths, making themselves an indispensable part of Malaysian pressure groups.
They have already created two Indian majority constituencies; Buntong and Sri Andalas, which is a first in this country. This is a party that is going places.
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written by Raja Kim, September 04, 2010 20:14:33
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written by Khan, September 04, 2010 20:07:26
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written by reeperbahn, September 04, 2010 19:42:36
racism starts at home - being myself an indian derivative, I'd say the indian malaysians are as racist as the the others, and maybe a tick more.
the government of morons utter what the majority (read, malays and want to be malays) want to hear. the benefiters of the racial politics are solely those affiliated to the government. and those who live from scraps.
if a poor malay or indian or iban or others wants to start a business to escape poverty everything available would be put in their way because they are not connected to the important people. also their own type would not lift a finger to help them out.
this is why the private chinese businesses prosper - they stick together, and this you call racism? no, we should learn from them. and use them to succeed. if we all could stick together we can prosper and force the government to change their mode!
if the indians could unite among themselves (see the many indian parties) first, they'd prove their capability to exist in a multiracial country. Hindraf is one among many and they don't represent all indians in malaysia. therefore the best choice for them is to join forces with the other races to alleviate the poverty of the marginalised indians.
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written by Better My, September 04, 2010 19:10:04
In some lines in the paper abvoe, where the Indian are more maginalised and specifically mentioned, the other disfranchised race are mentioned in the same breath. This the way for the Hindraf to take up and to appeal to the Indian and would be supported by most/all the other good force members.
re: In the West Malaysian states, the Indian community is the main victim although many Malays and Chinese are no less spared. "
I can send any Hindraf to country chinese villages and see how the deteriorating conditions they live under with no lights at the end of the tunnels. I know I see the same in the Indian communities as well, possbily more in relative percentage terms but that does NOT lessen the terrible effects on the chinese either just because the percentage is less, let alone the forgotten natives, with a higher percentage than the Indian and chinese, living in limbo lands. And the poor malay too.
Re: The Chinese have their ‘strong economy’ to fall back " This ia false fallacy for the chinese in the many chinese country villages scattered thoughout Malaysia. They have worked damn very hard on the soil or other very base busineses, like 12 hours + a day, from dawn to sunset, putting food on table and if they are lucky, they have abit of assets. What has helped them just that little bit is the economy of scale of the larger and more chinese enclaves where they can trade among themselves out of financial hardship and the trading on chinese products from a vibrant China. More likely, other factors at play as well. Only Indian know they they are in worst situation themsleves. Perhaps, the closed to the world India for many years until now, the labour & unskilled Indian from India, all the constant piss drinks in the estates, etc
Credit to the Wayne and Maestro to come up with this concept papers a this time. Great it may be, will the estate Indian buy this?
if they dont buy it, dont resort to Indian this & Indian that ever again. All the good Indian AND the HH Indian must brainstorm, without any drop of the tiger beer or kalu drink, to try more avenues of reaching them. One simple way is take up some BIG key issues that relate to the Indian is go to these grassroots estate Indian and expliain to them. like Felda/Felcra issue brought by PKR to the malay, like the Taib assets brought to the Sarawakian. And for once, the PR Indian and HH Indian stand side by side to condemn the injustices to the Indian AND all other races openly and loudly, never equate PR to the terrible UMNO openly, as the Uxxx guys has done.
The Indian, like the Sabahan PKR, must give the final perogative to PR central command, even with friendly colallateral fires and damages to the Indian/Sabah PKR, deals or no deals, lies or no lies If we dont get into Putrajua, all the complaints by HH Indian and others would mostly redundant, vanishing into thin air.
Unite Indiab/Sabah PKR with PR - we stand strongest.
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written by red1, September 04, 2010 19:03:03
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written by temanmu, September 04, 2010 18:42:49
If a "racist" MIC has failed Indians, would another racist group do any better? Unity is strength here!
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written by Super Admin, September 04, 2010 18:28:03
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written by alphabetagamma, September 04, 2010 18:11:35
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written by red1, September 04, 2010 18:08:42
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.......hhhhmmmmm it will WORK lads !.