From: mrm3u@fulton.seas.Virginia.EDU (Mohamed Rozani Mohamedosman)
Subject: Negaraku
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 02:04:45 GMT

Dear s.c.a. readers,

	I have only been reading the articles on s.c.a. for several weeks.
While I feel most of the discussion is interesting and constructive, I am
dismayed to see several of my fellow Malaysian citizens warring with 
each other with increasing ferocity and insensitivity for the feelings
of others.  While I acknowledge that it is their right to voice their 
opinions, I find their blatantly racist attitudes quite disturbing.

	Have we progressed so little since those dark days of mid-May 1969
that we still cannot tolerate the presence of others whose skin colour
is different from ours?  I was not even born yet when that tragic event in
our history occurred, and I will be eligible to vote in Malaysia by the
end of August this year.  May 13, 1969 was a long time ago, a lifetime for
some, yet I still see the attitudes that must have contributed considerably 
to that regretable event.

	I have read accusations that the Malaysian Chinese are disloyal.
Several years ago (in 83 or 84), two Chinese police officers were awarded
Malaysia's highest decoration for bravery as just reward for their selfless 
service to the nation.  If that isn't loyalty, what is?  As I recall, the 
Malaysian arrested by the police for spying for the KGB (late 70's/early 80's)
was a Malay.

	Malaysia is not perfect, what nation is?  Our government's policies
may not be all that great.  The long and diverse discussions concerning
the issues of higher education, economic policies and the logging issue
are prime examples of this.  I suppose matters have been made worse by 
some politicians who make use of these divisive and emotional issues to 
garner the votes to be elected.  Perhaps in the next general election,
someone will come forward with a better solution.  In the meantime, let's
not kill each other.

	Malaysia is not a totalitarian state.  In such a state, ethnic
conflict would have been suppressed.  Racial hatred would smolder until the
time became ripe for it to explode.  For an example, see Yugoslavia and what 
has become of it.  We have been fortunate to have a democratic form of 
government.  We only have to look around us to see that our nation is one of 
the more democratic nations in South East Asia. 

	If only everyone would realise that Malaysia is a multi-racial,
multi-cultural and multi-religious nation whose citizens (most of them
anyway) sincerely want to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours
regardless of race or religion.  One only has to look at children who play
with all their peers without prejudice.  It only through the biased views
of adults that some of these future leaders of our country grow to be
inconsiderate and prejudiced.  

	All it takes is for us to open our eyes and minds and see.  Malaysia
is a rich blend of cultures whose intermingling can only serve to enrich its
peoples more.  I remember reading somewhere that the "bersanding" ceremony at
a typical Malay wedding has Hindu (or Indian, I apologize for my ignorance) 
origins.  The last time I was back home (this past summer), I noticed many
Chinese enthusiatically partaking in generous portions of "kari kepala ikan",
a dish that is not part of traditional Chinese cuisine.  There would be no
"roti canai" if no Indian came to the Malaysian Peninsula.  Why alienate
your countrymen whose culture has enriched your own when it's so much easier
to enjoy the warmth and friendships they have to offer.

	Call me idealist, but I live for the day when my fellow countrymen
(and women) would consider themselves Malaysians first rather than Malay,
Chinese, Indian or one of the many other ethnic groups that OUR country
is fortunate to have. 

And please, bear in mind that the fifth line of Rukunegara goes like this:
	             KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN
	

						ever longing for satay,

						       Rozani

************************************************************************
Mohamed Rozani Osman		* Ignorance is the night of mind.	
mrm3u@fulton.seas.virginia.edu  * 	   - Efe Pygmies of Zaire
rozz@virginia.edu		*
************************************************************************

p.s. thanks LL!