'Now it's Melayu Bangkit. Later it will be Indian Bangkit. Then it will be Cina Bangkit. This will not end.'
May 13 a class war, says Dr Mahathir
David Dass: Dr Mahathir Mohamad said May 13 was a class war between the haves and the have nots. What utter nonsense. There was a lawfully-constituted government in May 1969. The government was a majority-Malay government. The prime minister and his deputy were Malays. The police and the military were overwhelmingly Malay.
If there were issues of Malay backwardness, these issues could have been pursued politically through the democratic system. For Mahathir to suggest that there was justification for the senseless killings that took place in May, 1969, simply demonstrates how irrelevant he has become. He courts popularity at the expense of the nation. He says that he is not racist, but advocates racist views.
There is no choice for us. We must adopt a policy of inclusiveness. We must deal with polarisation and work towards integration. There is no master race. We are individually masters of our own destiny.
For Mahathir to say Malays cannot compete in pure meritocracy is a terrible indictment of the Malays. That statement should not go unchallenged. Malays can compete. They can stand their own ground. In areas of business, the Malay may need some help. So set in place policies and practices that help the Malay learn how to do business. Encourage all the races to work together in joint ventures.
The prime reason the Malays continue to be handicapped is educational standards. We have abandoned English even though we know the importance of the English language. Malay boys or girls, however bright, are handicapped if their education comes from a degraded institution and if they are not proficient in English.
Malays who go through a good educational system have absolutely no problem competing. There many outstanding Malay physicians, surgeons, accountants, lawyers, architects, etc.
Save Malaysia: Now it's Melayu Bangkit. Later it will be Indian Bangkit. Then it will be Cina Bangkit. This will not end. While we are talking about 1Malaysia and progress, Mahathir is singing the Perkasa tune and saying meritocracy cannot work for 'Malays.' He is slowly but surely losing any iota of statesmanship he ever had.
Anonymous It's Umnoputras who stole from the Malays. See how rich their families are? Look around at the Umno leaders. Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has got a bungalow fit for a king.
Compare to the speeches here in this event with the just concluded speeches of PAS 56th muktamar, and I can safely conclude that Mahathir's Malays are in the minority. The majority of Malays are tired with Mahathir, Umno and Perkasa's antics that forever refer only to history.
The majority of Malays want to 'bangkit' with the rest of Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. Don't look down on your Malay brethren by saying they cannot perform in a pure meritocracy. Your sons maybe, not Malays.
Good men: Mahathir stressed that non-Malays had been graciously granted citizenship? I was born here. My father was born here. Does that not make me a citizen? This is my home. But because I am a non-Malay, I have been 'graciously granted' citizenship?
Jiminy Qrikert: Does the need for inclusiveness and integration also extend to the polarising politics of P Uthayakumar's HRP (Human Rights Party)? Or, is it only a convenient phrase used when 'others' adopt a 'race first' polarising stance?
These 1,000-odd 'Melayu Bangkit' fans are no different from those who support Uthaya, who champions only 'Indian' interests (and on closer inspection, really only 'Tamil' interests). Sure, they claim 'exclusive rights' on the basis of 'kedaulatan Melayu' (Malay sovereignty) which excludes non-Malay interests.
But by the same token, focussing only on 'marginalised Indians' excludes marginalised 'non-Indian' Malaysians. So, is not for the sake of 'inclusiveness' and 'integration' the duty of Malaysians to check the 'marginalisation of Malaysians' and not just Indians?
There are many here who will readily condemn Perkasa's polarising politics but just as readily support 'Indians Only' HRP.
Kingfisher: All Malaysians agree with Dr Mahathir that Malays should " have a fair share". They will also agree with him that the claim for a fair share for Malays should not encroach on the rights of other Malaysians.
What Dr Mahathir has not said and should say vehemently, given the significance of his status and if he wants to genuinely promote national development in our multi-ethnic society, is the establishment of a viable and equitable multi-racial socio-economic culture that promotes and protects the interests of all communities in Malaysia, especially the poor of all communities.
It would seem that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is making some difficult but commendable attempts in this direction.
Gordon Gecko: "Malays just want to have their fair share," says Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Yeah right. I think you meant the Umno Malay cronies.
If you are really sincere in helping all the Malays, why did you hold back the petrol royalties due to the Terengganu people? Why did you give so many approve permits (APs) to a few individuals (like Naza's owners)? Wouldn't it have been better to give it to all Malay individuals who apply for it? Why did you give MAS to Tajuddin Ramli?
I have many capable Malay friends, but they have been unable to get any government contracts or jobs because they are not affiliated to any Umno-linked people.
The rally should have been called 'Melayu Umno Bangkit'.
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