From: misc2@cse.unl.edu ()
Subject: Re: Negaraku
Organization: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 04:34:38 GMT

mrm3u@fulton.seas.Virginia.EDU (Mohamed Rozani Mohamedosman) writes:

>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!

Well said Rozani!  We should come together hand in hand to develope our beloved
country instead of being suspicious of each other.  I guess I am lucky enough
to have many  multi racial friends back home in Malaysia  and I am glad we are
still good friends even after a long time since leaving school.  I still keep in
touch with some of them and I am really sad having to miss two of my malay 
friends wedding during this Raya.  Being brought up in a multi racial housing
estate had taught me to value the moments we have spent together and I just hope
my children would also be able to experience those wonderful and unforgetable
moment. I sure miss satay...... and rendang, nasi beriani, lemang,..... just too
long to list, not to forget the never ending list of tropical fruits. 

chris....