From: tloh@husc8.harvard.edu (Teck Loh)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Matter of trust
Date: 10 Apr 92 04:45:29 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc3.1992Apr10.004531.10905
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

In article <83508@bu.edu> amir@bigbird.bu.edu (Amir Samad) writes:
>In article <1992Mar31.093655.25396@leland.Stanford.EDU>, yongwee@leland.Stanford.EDU (Yong Wee Dennis Lee) writes:
>
>[stuff deleted]
>|> 
>|> However, Azran got me wrong on the "lazy" part.  I am trying to say that if
>|> the govt helps the Malays by "spoonfeeding" them, wouldn't the Malays take it
>|> for granted sooner or later, so that when this spoon is taken away, resentment
>|> will build up from the Malays against their govt?  And if the govt don't take
>|> the spoon away even when the Malays become more "on the mainroad", wouldn`t
>|> that become unjustified preferential treatment?
>
>1) No, I certainly don't take my scholarship from the Malaysian government for
>granted. And I certainly hope not to rely on the government when I send my own
>kids to college, as my government sponsored education will have enabled me to
>stand on my own two feet.
>
>2) Yes, if Malays still receive preferential treatment after being "on the
>mainroad", it is most definitely unfair. Should this ever happen you should
>indeed be unhappy, and I would agree with you.
>
>|> 
>|> ** What I am trying to say is that giving help to a particular race in a
>|> country will be a road of no return.  Once given, this preferential treatment
>|> can never be taken back.  Take it back and the people who benefits from it
>|> will not be happy;
>
>Again, look to history. This preferential treatment was implemented with every
>intention of being removed when the Malays have acheived a suitable economic hold.
>When it is removed, the Malays will have no cause nor excuse to be unhappy.
>This is certainly not the case at the current time. Most Chinese believe it is
>taking too much time, however I believe the results will be very apparent in the
>next generation. The only thing to do right now is to wait and see.
>
>Amir Samad
>Boston University

Finally, I am delighted to hear an assurance view from my Malay friend. 
As I mentioned before, I can never agree to the law that give special
priviledges to a certain race by neglecting the poor chinese and Indians.
As a poor chinese, I caN see no reason why my friends from the slum
have to be discriminated. I agree with you that every policy implemented
is intended to be good but what happens is that our politicians are too
racially motivated. The divide and rule by drawing a line between the races bY
our politicians is not the way to solve the problems. But your assuarance
that someday justice will be done is the thing that is neccesary for a
more harmony Malaysia. My sacrifice is worth it if I can be assure that 
my children and grandchildren will be treated equally. I  trust you and I
am willing to wait. But, it is already 30 years. How much longer should
I wait? It is OK to trust you and let you step on the shoulder of the poor
chinese and indians to climb up if you assure us that you are willing to
give us a helping hand  later. But our shoulders are already sore
and hurting, please hurry up.

T-P Loh
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean