From: akm20474@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Sinar Matahari)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Going Round And Round
Date: 12 Nov 92 18:35:17 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.BxM8yv.HoA
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana


  Mr. Subramaniam,

       Congratulations on your suggestion. There had been a very long drought
of brilliant ideas. Yes! I totally agree with what you wrote on the net.
And indeed, that is just what I have in mind. The time has come to
remind the Malays of their position and role, and to phase out NEP
policies based on race and substitute it with more fair basis. I believe
the NEP actually in a way weaken the mind of some Malays (by thinking that
the Govt. will always be there to aid them regardless of their effort),
even though it also contributes to the state of we are right now. [I have
a foster parent who was among the last British Officer during the
independence of Malaysia. He was a sociology professor at this University
and retired last year. We once engaged in the discussion about the NEP.
I voiced out my dissatisfaction about its implementation that is biased.
He agreed, but added that in the early 70's, that measure was necessary
due to the economic imbalances. Without it, he said, Malaysia would not be
at a place it is right now. The reason is that because the Malays who
thinks that they own the country (simply because we have been there for a
very long time) would not like the idea of being ruled by outsiders who
were brought in decades before that. And the economic imbalance was one
of the reasons of the 13th of May. So, by helping the Malays, they will
share the wealth of the country. And this helps to maintain the stability
in the country]

But now, as the new generation of Malaysians emerged, and work very hard
to make her succesful, it will be ashamed if such policy is maintained.
However, again, I mentioned that the policy has to be phased out, and not
abruptly changed because many of the Malays, especially those living in 
kampungs have to be reminded about their role. That is, if they do not
work as hard, they will not be helped. This will produce many excellent
students, and we are sure that he or she is really qualified and deserved
the chance.

Those leading us now are those people who saw the May 13th. They have a
different view compared to us. So, it will take at least a generation for
the change. While that happens, we will inform and educate our friends and
children about the change. So that everyone will be happy when the time  for
change: The Malays are more competitive and the rest got their chance. I
know and understand that it is a long way to go, but there are even larger
minds that needs to be taught. We have to undo 20 years of mindset (that
is a generation).

And let us talk our friends and teach our kids about others, and put an end
to the unwritten policy of polarization. Teach them that we can co-exist
with each other, yet maintaining the stability of the country.

FYI, I have long disagree with NEP implementation (and so are many of my
Malay friends). Yet, without it, I believe that the mail that I am writing
to you will not be possible. And even without NEP, the Chinese and Indians
managed to send their son and daughters abroad. And there are, I believe,
thousands of Indians and Chinese abroad, comparable to the numbers sent
by the JPA (correct me if I'm wrong). Without it, only a handful of us
will be here, and the economic imbalance will be worst. For that, I really
respect my Indians and Chinese counterparts. Do you think that in a way
the Indians and Chinese benefitted from NEP by being the force to make
them work harder? I am curious if it is the reason. And do you think
that the Malays with the mindset that they own the country like to see
this?(I mean, other parties controlling the economy).

Let us be the force of change. For change must happen before we see  another
unrest in the country. I take this stand as a proud Malaysian, and as a
Muslim because this belief that that I love prohibit favoritism based
on races.

Thank You, and Congratulations.


Khairol Mohd Ali
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
akm20474@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean