From: subraman@andy.bgsu.edu (ANAND)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Malaysia's racial policies
Date: 9 Nov 92 20:23:30 GMT
Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh.

In article <1992Nov8.090231.24973@leland.Stanford.EDU>, azran@leland.Stanford.EDU (Azran Osman Rani) writes:
> 
> There have been a lot of sentiments presented on this issue here on the
> net. Almost everyone seems to voice disappointment with the government
> of Malaysia's racial policies and how they are discriminated and
> treated like 2nd class citizens.
> 
> I don't wish to participate in any discussion/ flames/ feedback/queries
> regarding this since, from experience, I know how useless it is to 
> conduct any rational, intelligent discussion on this newgroup.

  Well, not everyone contributing irrational opinions here. There are some
  people who are trying to give a strong argument here. It's just matter of
  some people who are not willing to admit their mistake or like to observe
  fight among others or just want to proof that they always have something to
  say regarding everything no matter if it's right or wrong. So, let's give
  some credit to those who are really putting their thought in here. O.K.

> But I have this to say.
> No one seems to be addressing why the gov't has these policies. Only
> that it does not favor them. 
> These are only my opinions but it is not a simple matter of reducing
> poverty. i.e. to provide assistance according to level of wealth/poverty
> regardless of race. It is about race. Ethnic distributions of the economy.
> The socio-economic restructurization that the gov't is doing is probably
> done under the assumption that a multi-racial country like malaysia needs
> to have racially-proportionate representation in all socio-economic fields,
> to avoid a monopoly of a certain sector of the economy by a certain race,
> in order for the so called 'national harmony' to establish. This was the
> first objective of the NEP. Elimination of poverty was the second.

  Well, if that's the situation, let ask ourselves here, has the government
  accomplished the goal of NEP? I think it's very clear that only bumis are
  benefitting by this policy. I haven't heard of any chinese or indians who
  are being helped by this policy? If that's the case do we need this policy
  and why should we extend this policy for another indefinit period?
> 
> essentially, it is about numbers. THis is perhaps clearly reflected in local
> university admissions (the quota thingy). Currently, there are 
> disproportionate numbers of ethic representation in fields like engineering,
> medicine, law, etc. Since more malay engineers and doctors are needed
> to balance the 'numbers', more spaces are allocated for malays in these
> fields. Similarly, more spaces are allocated for say, Chinese in the
> Arts. This does not mean that any malay off the street can qualify for
> the spaces. Neither do these policies put a restriction on Chinese wanting
> to study fields like engineering if they don't make the quota in local
> U's. There are always other ways besides local universities. Nothing is
> forbidden. I am not interested in discussing this further.
> 
> You might ask, why is it so important that there be proportionate ethnic
> representation in all fields. Well, from what you know of the people
> of Malaysia, imagine what the society would be if a doctors, engineers
> and accountants were predominantly chinese and history teachers
> and were predominantly Malay.

  I don't think this should be a reason why other ethnic groups cannot 
  accomplish anything in Malaysia. I think the Malays should realize what's 
  happening and emphasize on those fields instead of learning anything that
  sound easier like history. I'm not saying history is an easy subject but
  that's what a lot Malays are thinking compare to engineering studies.
  Nobody can blame indians or chinese for becoming doctors, engineers or f
  lawyers. When I was in high school I have came across few Malay students who
  are really don't care about their education. When I asked them what you going
  to do after finishing school without any qualification, this is what they
  said. "Well, this is my country, my land and I'll get a job anywhere I go.
  I don't have to worry about getting a job at all". We can see how their 
  attitude about education and other ethnic groups' attitude toward the 
  important of the education in order to survive in Malaysia.

> Think national harmony can be established
> in such a society? The founders of the country did not need to imagine
> such a scenario because it was reality during the birth of the nation
> and obviously it did not promote national unity. 
> Yes, perhaps these policies sacrifice quality but national unity comes
> with a price and it is all a matter of priorities. Yours is probably
> not the same as the govt, perhaps?
> 
> If one were genuinely interested in the issue, one would take the
> initiative to learn more about why such policies were formulated. 
> 
> 
> 'Nuff said from me. I will not entertain any response on this matter if
> it is the usual, unproductive, emotional mumbo-jumbo. 
> 
> Azran Osman-Rani
> Stanford University.

  I think the government or the UMNO organizations should emphasize and try to
  help the poor Malay students to realize how important education is and not
  try to use the indians and chinese' shoulders to climb up to reduce the
  poverty. I'm sure MCA and MIC will be willing to help with that.

Geeva Subramaniam
Bowling Green State University.

p.s. I hope my input will not be considered as a mumbo-jumbo.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean