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Text of Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra's speech

Text of Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra's speech

Contributed by Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid

Thursday, 17 April 2008 06:12am

Nik Elin I have been faxed a copy of the text that was read out by HRH the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan as well as the recording of the speech.

This is the full text as read out by HRH on Saturday. (emphasis mine).

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahitaala Wabarakatuh.

Bismillahir Rahmani Rahim
Reads Surah Ali Imran Ayat 26

Katakanlah wahai Muhammad, Ya Allah Tuhan yang empunya kuasa pemerintah, engkau kurniakan pemerintahan kepada orang yang engkau kehendaki. Engkau lucutkan pemerintahan daripada orang-orang yang engkau kehendaki. Engkau muliakan orang-orang yang engkau kehendaki dan Engkau kecewakan dan hinakan orang-orang yang engkau kehendaki. Di bawah kuat engkau maha kuasa segala kebaikan dan juga keburokan. Sesungguhnya engkau maha kuasa atas segala sesuatu.

Surah Ali Imran Ayat 26

Segala puji2an hanya milik Allah, Tuhan semesta alam; Tuhan yang maha mengetahui lagi maha adil lagi maha kaya, menyeru supaya hamba-hambanya melaksanakan keadilan dan sama sekali menjauhi kezaliman. Selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar kita Nabi Muhammad s.a.w, ahli keluarga serta sahabat baginda, semoga memperoleh ihsan dihari kebangkitan.

2. Alhamdulillah, saya bersyukur kehadrat Allah s.w.t. kerana dengan izin dan inayahnya jua, saya dapat berkumpul untuk menzahirkan ucapan di Majlis Perhimpunan Perpaduan Melayu pada pagi yang mulia ini. Usaha yang dirintis oleh Badan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu (BBPM) menganjurkan perhimpunan ini amatlah saya hargai.

3. Saya juga berkenan dengan matlamat, misi dan objektif Badan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu kerana pada ketika ini kedudukan rakyat dari kalangan orang Melayu Islam tercabar. Perpaduan Melayu wajar diberi keutamaan yang tinggi, lebih-lebih lagi ketika keputusan Pilihanraya Umum Malaysia ke-12 menunjukkan masyarakat Melayu berpecah belah merebut kekayaan dunia yang bersifat sementara dan sekali gus lupa pada akhirat.

4. Melihatkan tindak tanduk dan karenah mereka yang menang dan juga yang kalah, memberi petunjuk bahawa kedaulatan dan ketuanan Melayu Islam amat tercabar. Mungkinkah ianya akan terhakis atau hilang terus?

5. Rakyat melayu semakin keliru dipengaruhi lumrah dunia hidup semasa. Dimanakah benteng kekuatan melayu untuk mempertahankan hak-hak Islam dan Ketuanan Melayu.

6. Saya ingin menegaskan bahawa perkara utama yang harus diketahui dan difahami oleh semua orang ialah peruntukan perlembagaan bahawa orang Melayu adalah penduduk asal Negeri-negeri Melayu, yang dijamin hak istimewa sebagai rakyat Malaysia. Disamping itu, Perkara 153(1), Perkara 160(2), Perkara 3(1), Perkara 152, Perkara 32 dan Perkara 38(1), Jadual kelima, berkaitan hak dan ketuanan Melayu mesti dipertahankan iaitu agama Islam adalah agama rasmi Malaysia, Bahasa Melayu diiktiraf sebagai Bahasa Kebangsaan negara Malaysia dan Raja-raja Melayu adalah Raja Berpelembagaan dan juga Ketua Ugama, Insya Allah, di negeri-negeri yang menjadi sebahagian daripada Malaysia. Perkara-perkara ini bukan sahajalah perlu dipertahankan tetapi juga dijadikan tiang seri atau tonggak kepada kelansungan Ketuanan Melayu Islam.

7. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab rakyat melayu ISLAM memastikan perkara-perkara yang saya sebutkan tadi dipelihara dan dipertahankan sepanjang masa. Jangan ada mana-mana pihak yang menggugatnya dengan mempertikaikan Al Quran dan Hadith-Hadith. Orang-orang Melayu perlulah membulatkan tekad bersatu, jangan berpecah belah. Elakkan dari berpolemik yang boleh menjarakkan persefahaman sesama sendiri. Isu-isu ideologi, remeh temeh tafsiran pendapat yang pelbagai kesemuanya tidak menyumbang kepada perpaduan Melayu. Membincangkan polemik Negara Islam, Negara Sekular, Negara Kebajikan, menyebabkan rakyat menjadi semakin kabur. Ramai yang terpesong. Akibat daripada kekalutan ini, timbul satu senario di mana orang-orang Melayu semakin terasing, menjarak dan menjauh. Kelemahan orang Melayu disebabkan kelemahan Iman dan Aqidah.

8. Saya amat sedih kerana dalam keadaan sekarang tidak ada yang baik dikaitkan dengan Islam. Kita membiarkan diri kita didedahkan, diaibkan dan dimalukan. Malah, nampaknya menjadi satu kebanggaan sekiranya kita dapat menunjukkan kelemahan bangsa dan agama sendiri. Siapa sahaja yang berjaya mesti dicari cacat celanya. Tidak cukup dengan Internet ditambah dengan khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS). Teori propaganda menyebut, sepuluh kebohongan akan menjadi kebenaran, teori komunikasi moden pula menyebutkan bahawa setiap e-mail dianggap benar, setiap SMS dianggap sahih. Banyak berita-berita dan peristiwa-peristiwa negatif yang lain; yang ditonjolkan oleh Melayu seolah-olah orang Melayu menjadi punca segala penyakit masyarakat seperti korupsi, dadah dan sebagainya. Orang lain diam menyembunyikan keaiban bangsa mereka, kita yang beragama Islam, menjadikan kerja mengaibkan bangsa sendiri sebagai hobi pertama. Sebab kita tidak bersatu dan kita semua kadang-kadang suka jaga tepi kain orang.

9. Saya membangkitkan perkara ini semua adalah semata-mata untuk menunjukkan umat Melayu amat rapuh perpaduannya dan mudah melenting. Keadaannya semakin hari semakin bertambah parah. Saya berharap perhimpunan pada pagi ini memikirkan bagaimana hendak menjadikan bangsa Melayu sebagai bangsa berjiwa besar. Kita mesti ada jiwa penakluk. Tetapi bolehkah kita menjadi bangsa yang berjiwa penakluk? Dengan sikap dan pendirian yang kita pegang hari ini, apakah kita bersedia dengan kemahiran dan kepandaian seperti bangsa maju di dunia?

10. Berjiwa penakluk disini bukan bermakna menakluk bangsa atau kaum lain, bukan juga menakluk negara2 lain. Maksud saya ialah Melayu berjiwa penakluk adalah bangsa yang menakluk ketinggian ilmu, penguasaan ekonomi dan teknologi, keunggulan tamadun, keluhuran iman dan takwa. Kita juga perlu jadi bangsa penakluk yang dapat tewaskan nafsu dari segala aspek, rasa iri hati dan hasad dengki yang membuatkan kita lupa diri apabila berkuasa.

Firman Allah dalam surah Yaasin Ayat 83 maksudnya:

Oleh itu, akuilah kesucian Allah yakni dengan mengucap subhanallah. Tuhan yang memiliki dan menguasai tiap2 sesuatu. Pada dia lah kamu semua di kembalikan.

11. Saya ingin menyatakan bahawa perpaduan, kesepakatan, patriotisma, sayangkan bangsa dan agama, semuanya disatukan dalam satu ikatan perpaduan untuk mengangkasakan martabat bangsa. Saya berharap mesej yang saya sampaikan ini akan mengusik conscience atau fikrah kita semua untuk sama-sama menginsafi bahawa imej dan maruah yang tercalar adalah menjadi tanggungjawab semua tidak kira kedudukan, ideologi politik, bangsawan atau rakyat biasa bersama-sama bertanggungjawab memperbaikikannya.

Para peserta perhimpunan sekalian,

12. Sekarang ini kita semua faham kenapa kita perlu bersatu. Saya telahpun menyebutkan perkara-perkara yang perlu dipertahankan yang menjadi hak ketuanan Melayu dalam perlembagaan. Tetapi penyatuan Melayu lebih dari itu, dari segi memastikan Melayu tidak terus berpecah belah. Mungkinkah orang Melayu tidak bijak berpolitik menyebabkan usaha-usaha menyatukan orang Melayu gagal dicapai? Mungkin ramai akan berasa tidak senang dengan kenyataan saya, tetapi ia adalah hakikat. Demi kekuasaan, ada dikalangan pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu sanggup mengenepikan kepentingan orang Melayu itu sendiri. Ini berbeza dengan pemimpin-pemimpin kaum lain yang sanggup bersatu biarpun berbeza fahaman demi mempertahankan hak mereka, kekayaan dan kuasa mereka.

13. Malangnya, saya dapati rakyat melayu masih mengamalkan sikap marahkan nyamuk bakar kelambu atau marahkan pemimpin, masa depan anak cucu digadai. Yang menyedihnya ada pula paling taksub hendakkan kuasa sehingga membujur lalu, melintang patah, asal dapat kuasa yang menjadi matlamat terakhir, sehingga sanggup menang sorak, kampung tergadai. Selagi sikap ini tidak dikikis, maka selagi itulah usaha untuk menyatukan Melayu hanya akan menjadi satu impian semata-mata.

14. Saya berpendapat perhimpunan hari ini harus memikirkan dengan semasak-masaknya sampai bila orang kita Melayu harus bertelagah dan tidak mahu bersatu serta berfikir secara matang. Sebenarnya pada pandangan saya orang Melayu kini tidak mampu lagi ditiup dengan slogan dan retorik. Peserta-peserta perhimpunan hendaklah mempunyai niat untuk menyatupadukan Melayu secara jujur dan ikhlas tanpa mempunyai apa-apa agenda tersembunyi. Yang terpenting sekali ialah usaha-usaha menyatupadukan melayu mestilah berteraskan kepada matlamat untuk menjamin hak Melayu terpelihara dan masa depan anak cucu kita tidak tergadai kerana perebutan kuasa.

15. Walaupun saya banyak menegaskan perpaduan Melayu, hak-hak Melayu dan ketuanan Melayu, tidak bermakna saya tidak mengambil kira kepentingan kaum-kaum lain yang merupakan rakyat negara ini. Sebenarnya apabila hak-hak dan keistimewaan orang melayu dijaga dan dipelihara serta tidak diganggu gugat, akan menjamin keharmonian negara. Ini bukan sahaja menguntungkan Melayu tetapi juga semua kaum.

16. Saya ingin mengingatkan bahawa dalam kita bertindak menyatupadukan Melayu, kita harus akur bahawa dalam masyarakat majmuk seperti Malaysia, hak-hak kaum lain adalah sentiasa terjamin seperti contohnya, mereka dibenarkan mengamal kepercayaan anutan mereka dengan aman iaitu patuh kepada undang-undang dan damai iaitu tidak provokatif terhadap Islam. Raja-raja Melayu adalah ketua agama Islam dan Malaysia adalah negara Islam bukan negara sekular, acuan tersendiri, bukan seperti negara-negara lain.

17. Tidak harus ada apa-apa kebimbangan. Raja-raja akan menjadi payung kepada perpaduan dan menjadi sumber ketaatan kepada seluruh rakyat, sebagaimana yang termaktub di dalam perlembagaan dan rukun negara. Dengan demikian, sewajarnyalah semua rakyat bersatu dan tidak harus ada ungkit-mengungkit mengenai hak dan keistimewaan orang-orang melayu kerana ia adalah quid pro quo sebagai balasan kepada beri-paksa kerakyatan kepada 2.7 juta kaum lain yang datang ke Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Maka memanglah tidak wajar setelah kaum lain mendapat kerakyatan, mereka menuntut pula persamaan hak dan keistimewaan.

18. Sekali lagi, saya ingin menegaskan bahawa hak dan keistimewaan orang Melayu adalah amanah dan tangggungjawab yang wajar dilindungi dan tanggungjawab kepada generasi warisan keturunan Melayu, beta yakin kaum-kaum lain juga mahu melihat orang-orang Melayu bersatu kerana jika orang-orang Melayu bergaduh sesama sendiri sudah pasti keamanan tergugat.

19. Bersempena Sambutan Maulidul Rasul 1429H ini, marilah kita semua termasuk saya, bermuhasabah, jangan berdegil, menolak perpaduan disebabkan untuk mempertahankan ideologi atau fahaman atau perjuangan masing-masing. Hakikatnya Melayu adalah Islam dan Islam itu berkait rapat dengan orang Melayu. Semua pihak mesti berfikir dengan secara berhemah dan penuh semangat ketenangan dan persaudaraan bahawa kita berhak berbeza pendapat tetapi tidak dalam soal mempertahankan hak Melayu dan Islam, kita tidak ada kompromi. Begitu juga kita tidak berkompromi untuk menentang sesiapa yang tidak berlaku adil dan saksama kepada kaum dan kepercayaan lain.

20. Saya menyeru rakyat saya, khususnya orang-orang Melayu bersatu padu kerana itu juga tuntutan dalam Islam. Hari ini, kita jangan bercakap sahaja kita mesti bertindak dan menunjukkan hasil tindakan kita benar-benar mencapai matlamat yang kita sasarkan. Sekiranya ini dapat dicapai, saya amat bersyukur dan sesungguhnya kedaulatan dan ketuanan melayu akan terus kukuh dan terbilang dengan institusi di-raja memayunginya sebagai amanah dari Allah..

21. Sesungguhnya saya mempunyai impian dan harapan untuk melihat suatu keadaan di mana perbalahan dan perbezaan pendapat diantara semua pemimpin Melayu Islam itu dirungkaikan menerusi satu muzakarah pemimpin Melayu yang diadakan secara tertutup, berhemah dan bijaksana. Saya berharap segala perbezaan pendapat diketepikan. Perpaduan ummah harus diutamakan demi agama, bangsa dan tanahair.

22. (Seterusnya, Tuanku menceritakan mengenai kisah peristiwa Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. yang tiap-tiap hari menjamu seorang perempuan Yahudi buta yang membenci dan menestanya tetapi hanya mengetahui dirinya disuap Rasulullah setelah Rasulullah wafat. Ini telah mengubah hatinya.)( The Prophet did good to a blind woman although she has been cursing the Prophet)

23. Justeru itu, saya berdoa kehadrat Allah s.w.t., semoga Perhimpunan ini dapat berlangsung dalam suasana berterus terang berlandaskan semangat mahu membina perpaduan bangsa Melayu yang berintegriti tinggi agar Melayu Islam dihormati di negara sendiri dan juga diperingkat antarabangsa, Insyaallah.

Akhir kata, Dengan ini, saya dengan kalimah Bismilla-Hirrahma-Nirrahim, merasmikan majlis perhimpunan perpaduan melayu, sempena Deklarasi Maulidur Rasul 1429H, anjuran Badan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu (BBPM).

Sekian, Wabillahi-taufik Walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahitaala Wabarakatuh.

Now after reading the whole text, it is obvious that HRH the Tengku Mahkota had never intended to severe the various races but more rather was asking to unite the races and not as had been reported in Malaysiakini. I truly believe that the report by malaysiakini was mischievious and mala fide as it had selective reporting which had intentionally sidelined the whole tenor of the keynote address. HRH's speech must be borne in its entirety and not taken out of context. Some of the words may be lost in translation.

I hope that next time, news reports should not be provocative. Please read with an open mind and not have preconceived ideas. I am merely defending the truth.

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MANY A SLIP ...
written by Stephen Tan Ban Cheng, Thursday, April 17 2008 08:24 am

Nik Elin

"There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip." That quotation came from Greek mythology.

Even then, if this is true, that piece of reporting filed by malaysiakini is uncalled for.

It borders on the seditious. I wonder whether this is the state of journalism in Malaysia today. I pray not.

Cheers.

Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

Can you really read?
written by Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid, Thursday, April 17 2008 09:01 am

Count every ' F ' in the following text:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS...

HOW MANY?

Sometimes, the brain does not process in its entirety.

There are actually 6 F's, but many people can only see 3. 4 is rare. Its the same with what we read and hear.

Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid

Taken out of context, maybe?
written by Raymond Yap Soon Hock, Thursday, April 17 2008 09:53 am

If ever there is any confusion, it must have been due to the following :

15.....Sebenarnya apabila hak-hak dan keistimewaan orang melayu dijaga dan dipelihara serta tidak diganggu gugat, akan menjamin keharmonian negara. Ini bukan sahaja menguntungkan Melayu tetapi juga semua kaum.

17...Dengan demikian, sewajarnyalah semua rakyat bersatu dan tidak harus ada ungkit-mengungkit mengenai hak dan keistimewaan orang-orang melayu kerana ia adalah quid pro quo sebagai balasan kepada beri-paksa kerakyatan kepada 2.7 juta kaum lain yang datang ke Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Maka memanglah tidak wajar setelah kaum lain mendapat kerakyatan, mereka menuntut pula persamaan hak dan keistimewaan.

The move, I believe is now for a Malaysian Malaysia. Stop treating the non-Malays as second or third class citizens.

Where has Malaysiakini erred?

Raymond Yap Soon Hock

VALUE PLACED ON PEOPLE, NOT WEALTH
written by Stephen Tan Ban Cheng, Thursday, April 17 2008 11:16 am

My dear Raymond Yap

Don't get me wrong. I am a fervent supporter of malaysiakini as a credible alternative media. If any of its reporters have made any mistake, then that reporter must be held responsible, if only for the sake of credibility prized by any respectable news organisation.

I have grave doubts about the present claim that the concession by the Founding Fathers on extending citizenship to 2.7 million "pendatang" was made under duress. At least the speech did not say the 2.7 million are "pendatang haram."

None of the Freedom Fighters have alluded to the purported existence of coercion during the talks for Merdeka.

I see that concession as nothing more than a confirmation of the wisdom and a vindication of the very value placed on people by the wise Sultans during the height of the Malacca sultanate.

Read a History of Malacca for that, although it is certainly not a comprehensive or exhaustive history.

Contrast this value per se placed on people to the prevent value placed on material wealth and you can see how far we in Malaysia have departed from "conventional wisdom."

Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

Are we missing the point?
written by Visvanathan Murugiah, Thursday, April 17 2008 01:02 pm

Having read the full text in its entirety, I am still of the humble opinion that the speech is not in the spirit of Malaysia today. It is antiquated with outdated views and irrelevant in present day Malaysia.

I wish we can stop talking about the past and continue with the present. Much work to be done to make Malaysia a really beautiful place to live in.

Somehow I like the newly coined phrase "Ketuanan Rakyat".

Cheers,
Visvanathan Murugiah

smilies/cool.gif

Why no clarification from the palace?
written by Gerard Samuel Vijayan Lourdesamy, Thursday, April 17 2008 02:41 pm

If as it is now claimed the Crown Prince was misquoted by the press, it is rather surprising that the Kelantan palace has sought to keep quiet and not issue a clarification through its press office.

From my understanding the speech was picked up by Bernama and also reported in the NST and The Star apart from the Chinese press. So I don't understand why only Malaysiakini is being mentioned? A clarification from the palace would have corrected the situation.

There have also been rumours that the reported speech was from an un-amended text that was circulated to the press whereas his Highness read from a text that he had re-worked the previous night. If that is the case, then the organizers of the event should be blamed for the mistake.

In any event the gist of the speech is that Malay rights are being threatened. But threatened by whom? Is it Malay rights or the Malay agenda that has been hijacked by UMNO that is under siege? Under whom are Malays supposed to reunite? Is the democratic process a threat to Malay supremacy? In what way is it a threat?

Sadly, in my view Malay supremacy has now gone beyond a nationalistic agenda and become a racist ideology thanks to the politicians in UMNO. All parties should read the purport and extent of Article 153 with the rest of the Constitution and then conclude what was intended by the founding fathers.

The quid pro quo that his Highness talks about should also be seen in the context of the negotiations leading to independence and the deliberations of the Reid Commission. The British made it quite clear to UMNO and the Malay nationalists, that independence would not be granted to a purely Malay or Malay dominated government and that adequate representation and safeguards must be given to the other races then living in Malaya. That is why the dual citizenship proposal was rejected by the Alliance and Article 153 was promulgated to protect the interests of the Malays and other natives as the original inhabitants of this country. But the Article itself was never intended to discriminate against the other races or become the basis for Malay domination. It only provides for special consideration for Malays and other natives in the fields of education, the public services and in trade and business.

It is a fallacy to suggest that the non-Malays as a result of the elections are now in a dominant position politically or economically. Neither are they questioning the entrenched provisions of the Constitution. What all races are talking about is good governance and transparency, no to corruption and cronyism, equal opportunities and equitable wealth creation and distribution and a more open, tolerant and democratic state that is not elitist and unjust.

With regard to freedom of religion, while his Highness recognises this constitutional right, he qualifies it by saying that non-Muslims should not act in a manner provocative to Islam. Unfortunately, it has been the other way around. Non-Muslims find it difficult to build places of worship, they are prohibited from using certain words in their worship, there are restrictions on the import of religious texts, books and materials in the national language, they are restricted from propagating their religion, their religious symbols cannot be displayed in public places and schools and their rights in cases of conversion to Islam have been seriously eroded. The Crown Prince should be reminded of this.

While the Malay Rulers have an important role to play in preserving Malay unity and defending Malay rights and at the same time protecting the legitimate interests of other communities, they should also be careful when making public statements that may be perceived as playing into the hands of certain political parties and their supporters who want to preserve their hold on power at all costs even if it means destroying the very fabric of our society and our delicate inter-ethnic relations.

Gerard Lourdesamy

Other newspapers too
written by Richard Wee Thiam Seng, Thursday, April 17 2008 03:44 pm

The reports of the Prince's comments were in, inter alia :-

1. Sunday Star
http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/tengku_faris_dont_question_malay_rights.html

2. Mingguan Malaysia
http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/berita/komen_undang_undang/ ketuanan_melayu_tercabar_kaum_lain_lebih_dominan_dari_s egi_politik_ekonomi_tengku_faris.

Richard Wee Thiam Seng

Assimiliation is the answer
written by Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid, Thursday, April 17 2008 05:18 pm

I google searched for the meaning of "the social contract" and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_contract_(Malaysia) defined it to mean the quid pro quo trade-off through Articles 14–18 of the Constitution, pertaining to the granting of citizenship to the non-Malay people of Malaysia, and Article 153, which grants the Malays special rights and privileges.

I know I should not be depending entirely on a Wikipedia to support my contention, but that was the easiest piece to google for its meaning.

It proceeded to state, "the social contract is typically taken to mean a quid pro quo agreement that provides the non-Malay and other non-indigenous peoples of Malaysia (mostly the Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian) with citizenship, in return for their granting special privileges to the Malays and indigenous people of Malaysia, collectively referred to as the Bumiputra (sons of the soil)."

Article 153 of the Federal Constitution states that: "It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article."

The Malay special position are thus fundamentally guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. So why are we still questioning this special position?

The issue here is that if each and everyone of us, in the words of HRH Tengku Mahkota Kelantan, "tidak ungkit mengungkit" (meaning it cuts both ways, ie Malays don't raise issues about non Malay rights and non Malays don't raise the issues of Malay rights) then racial harmony can be achieved. Which means, "if you don't provoke me, then I have absolutely no right to provoke you". But if you start questioning my special position which has been enshrined in the Constitution, then, I will have a right to question you on how you have managed to gain your citizenship.".

And although this is a hard fact to swallow for many non Malays, it is actually very much still relevant, unless and until such time that the Federal Constitution is amended.

HRH was giving his keynote address in a forum entitled "Malay unity is the core of national unity" . I take it to mean that neither the non Malays nor the Malays should raise issues of each others rights in order to ensure racial harmony. Now what is so wrong with that statement?

Most unfortunately, it has been mischievously and gravely reported to read that the HRH Tengku Mahkota has commanded that NO non Malay is to question the Malay rights if Malaysians wanted to enjoy peace and harmony in Malaysia since the Malays were "co-erced" into giving citizenship to the non Malays. Now that's what I call VERY provocative selective reporting.

Instead of showing the beauty of co-existence that HRH has asked of us in most of his 24 paragraph speech (which was prepared for him and given out the night before and where HRH made major amendments to the original text), the reporters instead chose to report as follows:

"Kelantan Crown Prince Tengku Faris Petra said today that Malays had been coerced into giving non-Malays citizenship and the latter should therefore not seek equality or special treatment."... "Therefore, the rakyat must unite and never raise issues regarding Malay rights and special privileges because it is a quid pro quo in gratitude for the giving in of citizenship (beri-paksa kerakyatan) to 2.7 million non-Malays into the Tanah Melayu federation."...Thus, it is not appropriate for these other ethnic groups to have citizenship, only (later) to seek equality and privileges," said Tengku Faris, who read from a 11-page prepared text."

Now compare this with the actual read out text.

"17. Tidak harus ada apa-apa kebimbangan.Raja-raja akan menjadi payung kepada perpaduan dan menjadi sumber ketaatan kepada seluruh rakyat, sebagaimana yang termaktub di dalam perlembagaan dan rukun negara. Dengan demikian, sewajarnyalah semua rakyat bersatu dan tidak harus (not necessary) ada ungkit-mengungkit mengenai hak dan keistimewaan orang-orang melayu kerana ia adalah quid pro quo sebagai balasan kepada beri-paksa kerakyatan kepada 2.7 juta kaum lain yang datang ke Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Maka memanglah tidak wajar setelah kaum lain mendapat kerakyatan, mereka menuntut pula persamaan hak dan keistimewaan."

The whole text can be found at

http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/opinions/comments/text_of_tengku_mohammad_faris_petra_s_speech.html#jc_writeComment

The text must be read in its entirety. I presume the 3 persons who prepared the text for HRH to read must have used the same wikipedia in order to extract information about the Malay race.

Anyway, this should be taken to mean that I have no right to question the right of an Indian to practise his faith and beliefs, and I have no right to question the right of a Chinese to have his pork and eat it, much as they have no right to question about my privileges. Does anyone disagree with this statement? I am careful not to use the word, "Malay rights" as it is not Malay rights that are enshrined, but the Malay "special position".

Lets put it this way, if my parents had adopted a Chinese brother and an Indian brother for me when I was young. We grew up together as brothers and sisters living in harmony and co-existence. Lets say, the Chinese and the Indian continue practising their faith in our home. They are given their space to do as they like. But the house is still a Malay home, rumah Melayu.

My Chinese adopted brother works hard to help my father run his rubber estate business and contributes substantially to our family expenses with his very clever business acumen. The Indian adopted brother helps my father tap rubber as I am too lazy to tap the rubber myself. I sit at home and take care of my father. Then when my father dies, as a Muslim, only I get to inherit his estate and wealth. Surely the Chinese and Indian brother would be upset as they had worked just as hard as my father to build up the family wealth, and thus the constant bickering with my brothers. But I am "special" as I am his natural child. Although my father tries hard to raise us all as equals, it is difficult as the Chinese refuses to come down and be my equal partner. He still thinks that his race is far more superior than mine and as such, refuses to accept our customs and traditions. The Indian brother, on the other hand, has always practised the traditional "caste" system. And even among the people of India back in homeland India, they fight with each other, saying that they are not "Indians" but Malayalese, Tamils, Ceylonese, Keralalese, Bengalis and Punjabis etc.

(I remember when I was teaching part time a long time ago, I taught about our various races that made up Malaysia. I asked all Malays to raise their hands, and then the Chinese, and then when it came to who is an Indian, there was this Indian girl named if I remember correctly, Elizabeth Sebastian, and when I asked her her race, she told me that she was Christian race and not an Indian. She refused to acknowledge herself as an Indian girl and she was almost in tears when told she was of Indian descent. After that I learnt never to look at a person by their race as it would only upset people. Not everyone is proud of their lineage.)

Anyway, to continue my story, my 2 adopted brothers, are still allowed to live in my Melayu home. Although I had secretly hoped that after all these years, they would have assimilated themselves to the Malay culture and Custom. But they dont.

(I must confess that had this been the real situation, I would have given to my adopted brothers 1/3 of my fathers estate as "wasiat" as that would be permitted under Syariah laws, since they are my adopted brothers)

http://www.muis.gov.sg/websites/rservices/opendocall.asp?type=I&sno=549.

Having had a family of their own now, they send all their children to Tamil schools and Chinese schools, instead of sending them to the normal sekolah kebangsaan. The reason, they don't want their children to lose their ethnicity by mixing with the Malay Muslim children. They still don't know how or refuse to speak proper Malay, although they have lived with us for so many years. To them, their race is superior and should not be sacrificed.

(Sekolah kebangsaan has bacaan doa selamat in the school and this they highly object to as their children are not Muslims). So they make their children grow further apart from the Malays.

My neighbour, on the other hand who has adopted a Chinese and an Indian child as well, does not face this problem as their Chinese child has started wearing kebaya's and batek and speaks Malay and although they are still Buddhist they are now called Baba's and Nyonya's instead and very much still proud of their ancestral Chinese lineage. The Indian child has converted to Islam and although he still looks Indian, speaks Tamil but has been called themselves Mamak and Mami's.

It is the responsibility of ALL Malaysians, irrespective of race, to stop provoking for equal rights as what they are actually asking is for them to be accorded more respect and privileges than the Malays. If that is what they keep on harping, then they are playing with fire. If we cant then, lets just live together in harmony and forget the colour of your skin, or what is my faith. I believe that in order for Bangsa Malaysia to be born, we need to completely assimilate into one race.

SO many talk about not looking beyond race. SO IS EVERYONE ready and really willing to give up your race? Only then can we really find the true meaning of a nation with only one race. Bangsa Malaysia.

What I am trying to state is that if all Malaysians truly believe in equality, then one shouldn't ask for "special treatment" for the Chinese or Indians.

Why don't we sit down together and plan a true Malaysian race, devoid of any one particular race being dominant, like the Nyonyas and Babas and the Mamaks. I would have no qualms about the Baba's and Nyonya's and the Mamaks and the Mami being called Bumiputras and accorded the same treatment, privileges, rights as Bumiputras. They deserve it as they have assimilated themselves well with the local customs and culture. Now that's what I call Bangsa Malaysia. I cannot see how we are ever going to reach Bangsa Malaysia, if all we do is try to suppress Malay "special position".

If you want to be equal, then be equally Malaysian. Don't try and turn Malaysia into China or India.

Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid

Being Malaysian
written by Lim Chong Leong, Friday, April 18 2008 12:43 am

Dear Nik Elin,

How is it that looking beyond races need to be equated with giving up one's race? We cannot give up our race. We are born with our it. Only thing is we do not and should not regard race as a criteria for qualification or disqualification. Merit should be the only determining factor. That way only the best get picked. Only then can we compete with the best in the world. Only the best enter our universities, and only the best graduate. Then only the best get to work in the best firms. We will have rocket scientists to build our own rockets in no time. This has nothing to do with race or erosion of Malay special privileges. On the same note, we should go on celebrating our diversity.

Lim Chong Leong

I am shocked! Such a revelation!
written by Visvanathan Murugiah, Friday, April 18 2008 10:49 am

Dear Nik,

Thank you for your views.Very illuminating. And I was wondering why we as a nation never progressed as nation. Some of us have views like yours. That is the reason why.

If only there were more people like Prof Azmi Shahrom and HRH Raja Nazrin.

Vsivanathan Murugiah smilies/angry.gif

Reply to Nik Elin
written by Gerard Samuel Vijayan Lourdesamy, Friday, April 18 2008 03:15 pm

I am shocked by the ravings and ranting of Nik Elin. Things should be put into perspective. Frankly, we can all agree to disagree on the Crown Prince of Kelantan’s speech. But there is no need to descend into a racial tirade against others just because some of us may have a different view of his Highnesses’ speech.

If Nik Elin has an axe to grind just because she may be disappointed with the outcome of the 12th general election that is perceived to have eroded Malay political supremacy, please don’t take it out on us non-Malays. The overwhelming majority of the voters, Malay and non-Malay alike decided to reject the abuses and excesses of UMNO and the BN over the last 50 years including UMNO’s purported defence of Malay rights and privileges that has only benefited a select group who are well connected and well remunerated by the ruling party. The vast majority of the Malays have been left out of the Malay agenda by their own leaders and people. That is the reality.

Nik Elin should perhaps explain exactly who is questioning the Malay special position as enshrined in Article 153 of the Constitution. All races have accepted this. None of the political parties in the BN or the PR have raised this and neither was this an issue in the election campaign. If Nik Elin is unhappy that the PR wants to replace the NEP with a more open, transparent and effective affirmative action policy based on need, irrespective of race, so be it. But don’t give the impression that the Chinese and Indians are threatening the Malay special position just because all races are clamouring for justice equality and equity. So who is provoking whom?

The social contract is not defined in the Constitution. Neither does the term “Bumiputera” appear any where in the Constitution. Article 153 of the Constitution that is much alluded to talks only about the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak in the context of quotas in the public services, education and in the giving of business permits and licenses. It does not envisage Malay domination at the expense of the other ethnic groups to the point where their fundamental rights are eroded and they are treated differently. A good example would be UITM where although a public university, funded by all taxpayers irrespective of race but only open to the Bumiputera and not others. Article 153 does not justify this. Neither does it allow for the government, the public services, the universities and government linked companies to be dominated by one race only irrespective of merit and ability. The same applies to appointments and promotions in the public sector, the awarding of public contracts, the granting of licenses and permits. There is a big difference between affirmative action programmes and institutionalised discrimination. The former it can be argued has its limited origins in Article 153 but the latter runs foul in the face of the Constitution and is against both the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

Article 153 was only intended to last for 15 years but it has not been reviewed. Even the late Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, was of the view that this provision should not be retained longer than 15 years as it would not be helpful in creating a genuine Malaysian society based on equality, mutual trust and tolerance. But I concede that given the present climate in this country and ever since the NEP was introduce in 1970, there is a culture of dependency, mediocrity and malaise that is prevalent to the point that Article 153 is used as the convenient fallback position to avoid any serious discussion about where we are heading as a nation and to justify the endless abuses and misdeeds of the ruling elite and their supporters.

Nik Elin’s little analogy about her “adopted” Chinese and Indian brothers reveals a lot about her way of thinking. Firstly, why must it always be known as a “Malay” home and not a “Malaysian” home? Is it because the Chinese and Indian brothers are still considered outsiders despite living in this country for three or four generations (far longer than some UMNO politicians from Indonesia who are immediately called “Bumiputera”) and are perceived to have the option of returning to their “homelands”? Secondly, it is unfair to generalise that all Chinese think of themselves as superior to other races. They only make up 28% of the population. If Malays feel inferior to the Chinese then they should ask themselves why they feel insecure, what are their weaknesses and inadequacies and why after 37 years of affirmative action policies by a Malay dominated government, they lack the ability to compete with the Chinese on a level playing field without a “constitutional” crutch from the government? Thirdly, what has the Indian “caste system” got to do with inter-ethnic relations in Malaysia? As a Malaysian of Indian origin, I can safely say that caste is not a major issue or barrier in Malaysia for social mobility amongst Indians. As for India, just to enlighten Nik Elin, there are two major ethnic groups, the Indo-Aryans (who live mostly in Northern India) and the Indo-Dravidians (who live mostly in Southern India). These are sub-divided to various smaller ethnic groups depending on geographical location. As such Tamil, Malayalee, Telegu, Bengali and Punjabi are not “castes” but regional ethnic groups living in different parts of India. They are not fighting or killing each other. They are all called Indians collectively and are very proud of their heritage in diversity. The “caste” problem is only prevalent in the poorer states of eastern and central India such as in Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and also in parts of Gujerat and Rajasthan where because of land ownership disputes resulting in a preponderance of land being owned by higher “caste” persons, the poor are marginalized and abused. In any event, the Government of India has addressed these issues through laws including constitutional safeguards for those of lower castes and other scheduled groups. Do we have laws in Malaysia to deal with race relations and discrimination?

As for the anecdote about the little Indian Christian girl who had somewhat confused her ethnicity with her race, that can be excused. Perhaps she was not well informed by her parents. After all there are many Malay Muslims who behave as if they are Arabs and practice an Arab-centric form of culture and deny their Malay roots and identity.

Nik Elin’s broadside about vernacular schools and the reason why Chinese and Indian parents send their children to these schools in not fair and totally unjustified. I myself am the product of a government school. But I was there in the 70’s and 80’s. A lot has changed since then. Standards and quality have declined. The school administration and teaching staff are dominated only by one race and most hold very prejudiced and derogatory views about other races. Some even impart their racist and bigoted views to their students. Students who are from minority communities are told to conform to other religious teachings and beliefs, cover themselves even during games (although, they are wearing standard uniforms) and other imposed values that are not shared by other ethnic groups. I know of many cases where non-Malay parents were forced to take their children out of government schools because of acts of discrimination and indifferent treatment by Malay principals and teachers. But there are some good government schools with dedicated and qualified Malay teachers who are not influenced by race and religion. They are becoming a rarity. As far as speaking in proper Bahasa Malaysia is concerned, it is incorrect to say that most non-Malay students from the vernacular schools are very poor in the language. It is true that few speak the language at home but most parents emphasize the importance of the national language in order to live and work in Malaysia. It is equally important in order for them to pass public examinations and gain entry into public universities and colleges. Therefore, it is not true to suggest that they are utterly illiterate or useless in the language as disproved by the pubic examination results. On the same token, after more than 100 years of Chinese and Indian migration to Malaya, how many Malays can speak in Mandarin or Tamil? It must be remembered that 45% of the population is non-Malay.

On the “doa selamat” issue. Firstly, why must such prayers, be said in non-religious schools. If we want to talk about multiculturalism, then apart from Muslim prayers, non-Muslim prayers should also be recited but that is not permitted because only Islam is the official religion. Secondly, when I was in government schools, 30 years ago, the “doa” was never recited except in the Islamic religious studies class. Thirdly, why is it that non-Muslims are lumped together in “moral” studies classes as if they are morally lacking or deficient? Are they not entitled to instruction in their own religious beliefs? Has the government introduced courses on comparative religious studies and understanding as part of the curriculum in all national type schools and public universities? There are many within the education system that favour and encourage separatism. It is unfair just to blame non-Malay parents for this.

I am surprised at Nik Elin’s enlightened idea about assimilation. Assimilate into what? A Malay dominated culture. I think that is what you are suggesting. I don’t mind a Malaysian culture that is representative of our shared heritage, beliefs, customs and values. But not the imposition of one culture on another purely based on statistics and history. Why can’t we have unity in diversity, a true form of multiculturalism based on mutual respect and tolerance? What about Sabah and Sarawak? Have the Malays there who are a minority assimilated into the majority Kadazan and Iban communities? It is remarkable that in East Malaysia, an ethnic minority community that is Muslim can dominate in government and economics over the majority ethnic Christian communities. This is the end result of UMNO exporting its Malay supremacy (even through) illegal means into the two states and maintained by the proverbial divide and rule policy. What has happened to the special position, rights and privileges of the Sabah and Sarawak natives under Article 153 of the Constitution and the famous 30 Points of Agreement that was their basis for entry into Malaysia? It would seem that all this was conveniently sacrificed at the altar of Malay supremacy. Please practice what you preach first before imparting words of wisdom to others. Assimilation as far as I know was an abject failure in southern Thailand, in Indonesia and parts of the Philippines. So why experiment with something that is unworkable and counter-productive to nation building. Have Muslims assimilated in the West?

The non-Malays are not provoking for equal rights in the context of Article 153 of the Constitution. They are neither questioning the status of the Malay Rulers, of Islam and Bahasa Malaysia. These are unifying and entrenched features of our Constitution and focal to our common destiny as a nation. What the non-Malays are seeking is fair, just and equitable treatment as citizens of this country. We are all only subservient to God, the Constitution and the laws of the country. We only want what is right and fair for our communities. Just like the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, we have also contributed immensely to the peace, progress and prosperity of this country since before independence until now. Why deny us a proper stake in the well being and future of this country? Why work overtly and covertly to weaken, erode and destroy our rights? We are not interested in special treatment or privileges. We have never needed them and we have very little use for a crutch. There are poor and marginalized Chinese and Indians just like poor Malays who also need help and assistance, why ignore them?

Nik Elin can keep her “special position”, status and privileges and reconcile them with her Islamic faith. I leave that to the judgment of God. All this talk about playing with fire is unnecessary. It cuts both ways. If Nik Elin is advocating “constructive destruction” I am all for it. Perhaps we can rebuild a new Malaysia.

There is no question of Malaysia becoming China or India but neither do we want it to become another Afghanistan, Sudan or Saudi Arabia.

Gerard Lourdesamy

Well said Gerard!
written by Visvanathan Murugiah, Saturday, April 19 2008 12:24 pm

Frankly, I was worried when I read Nik's "illuminating" post. Well after reading your post Gerard I am much relieved. Thank you for that wonderful piece.

On a another matter I believe there are more Malay MP's in parliament today after the recent elections than after the 2004 elections. It is a fact. Go check out the statistics.

Cheers,
Visvanathan Murugiah

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