Inaction on racism: Cabinet slammed for impotence, irrelevance

Inaction on racism: Cabinet slammed for impotence, irrelevance

Hello RCI Lim . stop making an idiot out of yourself . The Cabinet should not be hold responsible for the comments by the two racists . You know who is responsible and who's Ministry it falls under . Don't tell me that you are not aware of all the racists issues all coming from one Moody Ministry and who is in charge of that Ministry . In case you are so dumb as to not knowing it , its the 2 Malaysia Moodyhidin . Malaysians are not fools , and stop making a fool of yourself with your silly accusation .

Malaysia Chronicle

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has accused Malaysia’s federal Cabinet of being “impotent and irrelevant” for failing to take action against two school principals accused of hurling racial slurs at their non-Malay pupils and the deputy director of the National Civics Bureau who allegedly called Chinese “slit-eyes” and Indians “drunkards”.

“All Malaysians await the outcome of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting – whether there is going to be more procrastination and “tai chi” over the gross indiscipline of the two errant school principals and the BTN deputy director in openly flouting Prime Minister Najib’s 1Malaysia concept,” Kit Siang said in a statement.

“I am waiting for the outcome of the Cabinet tomorrow to decide whether to move an emergency motion in Parliament on Monday to demand an urgent debate on these two issues.”

Muhyiddin rebuffs action

As Kit Siang pointed out, 55 days have passed since the first incident occurred in Kulai, Johor, where headmistress Siti Inshah Mansor had told her Chinese pupils to go back to China and likened the Indian ones to dogs because of the prayer strings they wore. A few days later a headmaster in Bukit Selambau was also caught making similar racist remarks.

Kit Siang

But despite the numerous police reports lodged by angry parents, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin – who is also the Education minister – has chosen to shield them. Although, he set up a task force to investigate their actions, he has refused to push for a speedy resolution despite widespread public anger. Muhyiddin is the deputy president of ruling party Umno, and has often resorted to race-championing tactics to gain political popularity.

The Najib administration has tried to downplay the incidents as unusual occurrences, with Prime Minister Najib Razak ordering a “zero-tolerance” towards racism. But so far, as in all his other edicts and policies, no concrete action has followed his words.
.
BTN exposed

Even the immediate response of Pakatan Rakyat leaders to his zero-tolerance pronouncement was that it would not work unless the National Civics Bureau or BTN was shut down, and its indoctrination courses for civil servants and undergraduates stopped immediately. Past attendees have complained that during these courses, BTN lecturers often described non-Malays in derogatory terms.

Perkasa man and Hamim

Although the Najib administration has often denied such accusations, last week, BTN deputy director Hamim Husain was caught personally making such remarks at a Puteri Umno function. So far, Hamim has issued an indirect denial and lodged a police report against the reporter and news organization that printed his comments.

"Another case of disgraceful conduct by public servants was discussed by the Cabinet last Wednesday – the derogatory, offensive and insensitive reference to the Chinese and Indian communities as “Si Mata Sepet” (“Squinty-eyed”) and “Si Kaki Botol” (“Alcoholics”) by the National Civics Bureau (BTN) deputy director Hamin Husin at a closed-door Puteri Umno function – but there was no satisfactory outcome although the open mockery of the Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia policy by public servants further undermined Najib’s authority, credibility and legitimacy," Kit Siang said.

"The Cabinet meekly asked the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan to investigate the racist remarks by Hamim, who have meanwhile received the endorsement of Perkasa to lodge a police report under the tutelage of Perkasa. Where does the Cabinet come in on this. Do the Ministers have any leadership role? Or are they completely impotent and irrelevant!"

MCA tells Moodyhidin of 2Malaysia to suggest action against racist principals

By Debra Chong

October 05, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 – The MCA today appeared to rap the Education Minister for passing the buck on disciplining two school heads accused of racism, and warned of a public backlash if not resolved soon.

The Public Service Department (PSD), charged with investigating the two principals, have been keeping mum on the matter nearly two months after they were made public.

“We feel the minister can make recommendations to the JPA,” its president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek (picture) told reporters at its headquarters, calling the government department by its Malay initials.

Dr Chua was referring to Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s seeming reluctance to intervene, citing he had no power to act against the two principals who were senior-ranking civil officers and that the PSD was in charge.

The ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Chinese chief said his party understood the separation of authority, but pointed out that the public did not.

“The final decision is with JPA, but the rakyat don’t understand, and this includes the parents from the affected schools,” Dr Chua said.

“If the government does not take stern action and quickly, it will send the message that the government does not care about this issue,” the former cabinet minister observed.

The two principals – one from Johor and the other from Kedah – had triggered a national uproar in August after their ethnic Chinese and Indian students complained of being verbally abused with racially-tinged remarks.

Some 20 students of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Kulai, Johor had lodged police reports against principal Siti Insyah Mansor, claiming she had called them “passengers”, inferring they were not qualified to be citizens and likened the Hindu students wearing prayer strings around their necks to leashed “dogs”.

Ungku Aznan Ungku Ismail, the principal of SMK Bukit Selambau in Sungai Petani, Kedah, got into trouble after his ethnic Chinese charges complained of being scolded for eating in the school compound in front of their Muslim peers during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The two school heads were suspended following the outcry, but upset parents and politicians want a stiffer penalty imposed against them, including sacking.

2Malaysia expected to challenge 1Malaysia for Umno No.1

2Malaysia expected to challenge 1Malaysia for Umno No.1

Muhyiddin vs Najib - out in the open

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

It looks like the much-speculated power tussle between Prime Minister Najib Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin is now out in the open, known and even reported in influential foreign research reports.

According to the latest Economist Intelligence Unit report, Muhyiddin is poised to challenge Najib for the Umno presidency at the next party election in 2011 and this could create political instability in Malaysia.

“Umno tends to turn inward during leadership battles, ignoring the interests of other parties, and this is even more likely to happen at a time when its status is threatened,” the EIU said in its latest country report.

“Under these circumstances, there will be even greater resistance to economic reforms, undermining the credibility of the prime minister, Najib Razak, and even placing his position as president of Umno (and thus his premiership) at risk.”

Who is stronger, who is weaker

Indeed it has been obvious that Muhyiddin has never really been supportive of Najib’s policies from the day one even though they had both campaigned as a team in 2009 Umno election.

Ahmad Zahid

At that time, Defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had led the nominations for the deputy presidency but dropped out of the race at Najib’s urging to make way for Muhyiddin, who draws his strength from former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

Now, Muhyiddin and Mahathir have taken control of the powerful Umno right-wing and together with newly-formed ultra-Malay rights group Perkasa, they seem to wield greater power in Umno rather Najib.

“If you were to put it to the Malay community at large, it is not apparent that more Malays would favor Muhyiddin over Najib. I think both men would be equally rejected because both also have their own set of ‘baggage’ from past misdeeds,” Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

“But because Najib is now holding the PM post, there is more attention on him, so when he flip-flops and gives in to Perkasa and Dr Mahathir, he himself is telling the whole world that they are stronger and he is weaker.”

Seat-warmer politics

Nizar was referring a recent row, where Najib’s camp had moved to sever ties with a growingly uncontrollable Perkasa, whose strident rhetoric was driving away not just the non-Malay vote but also investors in general.

Mahathir - still powerful

The manner in which Najib’s lieutenants were forced to retreat was a shock to the nation and a heavy blow to the non-Malay parties in the Umno-dominated BN coalition. MCA, Gerakan and MIC, the three biggest parties that had rushed to laud Najib for the Perkasa split, were left hanging in the air.

There is now little doubt that Najib’s much-trumpeted New Economic Model, due to be fleshed out next month, will contain little in the way of significant reforms as Mahathir has made it clear he is not in favor of any major changes to the systems he set up when he was premier from 1981 to 2003.

A good gauge of how the chips will fall in Umno is the Sarawak state elections which must be held by July 2011 at the latest, although there is strong speculation it will be held earlier in November 2010.

“If (Sarawak chief minister) Taib Mahmud delivers a strong victory for BN, then Najib can breathe a bit safer. But it still doesn’t guarantee that Muhyiddin won’t challenge him for the presidency. The thing is Mahathir wants him to take over from Najib so that his son Mukhriz can later take over from Muhyiddin,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

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Potential Umno leadership tussle, says report

By Yow Hong Chieh

September 30, 2010

Muhyiddin is a potential challenger for Umno’s top post. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — A possible head-to-head fight between Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy for the top party post at the next Umno presidential election will be a source of political instability, a country report by the influential Economist Intelligence Unit said.

The report pointed out that Najib risks losing the presidency to his second-in-command Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin if Umno fails to make up lost ground in the Sarawak state election.

The state election has to be held by July 2011, and is widely seen as a bellwether for the next general election. The Umno presidential election is expected to take place after that, in late 2011 or early 2012.

“Under these circumstances, there will be even greater resistance to economic reforms, undermining the credibility of the prime minister, Najib Razak, and even placing his position as president of Umno (and thus his premiership) at risk,” the report said, adding that the most likely contender was Muhyiddin.

The report also mentioned that Umno will likely “turn inward” during such contests, and cautioned that the ruling party might not pay heed to Barisan Nasional (BN) component party interests during this time.

“Umno tends to turn inward during leadership battles, ignoring the interests of other parties, and this is even more likely to happen at a time when its status is threatened,” it said.

The report had earlier identified political intrigues within Umno and its determination to stay in power at any cost as potential sources of political instability in the next five years.

Najib is struggling to keep control of his party as he continues to try pushing through much needed economic reforms aimed at making Malaysia more competitive and innovative.

He faces considerable opposition from conservative elements within Umno but appears reluctant — or unable — to rein in dissenting party members, who openly voice their disapproval of Najib’s New Economic Model (NEM).

The NEM is seen by some as a betrayal of the pro-Bumiputera New Economic Policy (NEP) — authored by Najib’s father and Malaysia’s second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak — and a threat to Malay hegemony.

Malay rights group Perkasa, backed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been an especially vocal critic of NEM initiatives that propose reduced Bumiputera equity quotas.

'Racist' officer: BN leaders see red, DPM in the dark

2 Malaysia Tak Nampak !!

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:09

By G Vinod

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders, minus Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, today condemned yet another racial slur from a high ranking officer on the government payroll.

They also agreed that it had rendered another devastating blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia campaign.

Muhyiddin, however, claimed to be in the dark and reserved his comments about the latest controversy.

The leaders were responding to a news report which claimed that National Civics Bureau (BTN) deputy director Hamim Husin had allegedly used derogatory terms to refer to the Chinese and Indians.

During a closed-door meeting with Puteri Umno delegates, Hanim had purportedly described the Chinese as “si sepet mata” (slitty eyes) and Indians as “kaki botol” (alcoholics).

Seeing red, MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok called for prompt action, including a possible investigation by the police.

“It is time to put a halt to these arrogant and intolerant bigots,” he said in a statement.

Loh said it was shameful that a public servant employed by BTN, which trains upcoming civil servants, had used such stereotypical derogatory terms from a bygone era.

He said Hamim should be instead advocating that all races work towards achieving the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Najib, which was founded on the idea of inclusivity.

“BTN, as a government body has a responsibility to cultivate trust, not racial prejudice and polarisation based on an 'us versus them' dogma,” he added.

Loh urged the Public Service Department (PSD) to take action against Hamim as his statement had hurt the feelings of the Chinese and the Indian communities in Malaysia.

MIC vice-president and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said since BTN was a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Department, the views could be interpreted as being the government's stand.

“If an officer from this agency is found to have passed such remarks, it can be construed as reflecting the views of the government. It will also reflect badly on the government, and have adverse effects on the 1Malaysia concept.

“Therefore, I urge the BTN director-general to immediately investigate the matter thoroughly, and take the appropriate action according to the report of the investigation,” he added.

'Running counter to 1Malaysia'

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dominic Lau bayed for Hamim's dismissal, saying the degrading words were uncalled for, unwarranted and mischiveous.

“His open and blatantly demeaning descriptions of fellow Malaysians run counter to the prime minister's all-inclusive 1Malaysia concept which is supposed to be propagated to participants at BTN camps,” he said.

Both Loh and Lau urged the government to review BTN courses and if needed, overhaul it accordingly so that the course to train civil servants reflected a 1Malaysia outlook and did not become a breeding ground for racism.

“There were many complaints by participants that the courses were indoctrination programmes, outdated, racist, divisive and seditious in nature and should be changed. The recent ugly incident has once again reinforced the serious shortcomings of BTN,” said Lau.

When asked to comment on the issue at a function today, Muhyiddin said: "I am not aware of that speech."

The deputy premier added that he would check the matter first before commenting on it.

Also read:

Bigotry in school: 'Why the foot-dragging?'

The Three Stooges of 2 Malaysia

Muhyiddin champion of anti-national, anti-1Malaysia : Kit Siang

Muhyiddin champion of anti-national, anti-1Malaysia : Kit Siang

Lim Kit Siang

All Malaysians want to know whether the scandal of the 46-day inaction by the Najib administration against the two school principals who made incendiary, racist and insensitive statements against students in schools will be top on the agenda of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting or whether Cabinet Ministers would be like the traditional three monkeys with eyes that see not, ears that hear not and mouths that speak not!

Noises are being made by MCA, Gerakan and MIC outside the Cabinet protesting against the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement claiming that he is powerless to do anything against the two principals as this falls within the ambit and jurisdiction of the Public Services Department and the Chief Secretary – but all these are empty posturings by these political parties when their Ministers in Cabinet maintain a discreet and self-serving silence on this issue.

In fact, the question must be asked in Cabinet, Parliament and the country whether the real reason for the 46-day government inaction against the two school principals who publicly made a mockery of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Raza’s 1Malaysia policy is because they could not be faulted because what they said was exactly the “official ideology” which Biro Tata Negara of the Prime Minister’s Department had been indoctrinating civil servants in the past two decades!

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang

Is this the reason why Muhyiddin had been thunderously silent in not condemning the two school principals for their incendiary, racist and insensitive statements, telling Chinese students to go back to China and likening Hindu prayer bracelets to a dog leash, because such offensive remarks were quite in line with the poison which BTN had been dishing out to civil servants in the past two decades?

In the Cabinet in the past 18 months, Muhyiddin had stood out as the champion of the anti-national and anti-1Malaysia poison spouted by BTN, which was why Muhyiddin had done the following:

• Defended the racist “brain washing” and indoctrination on “ketuanan Melayu” by Biro Tata Negara despite criticisms and expose of its racist, divisive and seditious content for the past two decades;

• Mitigated the Nasir Safar outrage claiming that it could have been “a slip of the tongue” when Najib’s senior political aide labelled Indians and Chinese in Malaysia as “pendatang”, alleging that the Chinese came as beggars and the Chinese women as “prostitutes”; claimed that Umno was solely responsible in drafting the constitution sidelining the contribution of MCA and MIC; and issued the threat to revoke the citizenship of those vocal about the subject cap for SPM examination.

• Maintained a conspicuous silence at the JAKIM (Islamic Development Department of the Prime Minister’s Office) forum at the end of January for 800 civil servants tantamount to an insurrection against Najib’s 1Malaysia concept – with government speakers making inflammatory and incendiary speeches, blaming Christians for provoking Muslim anger by challenging the ban on the use of the word “Allah” and Umno/BN politicians for failing to defend Islam, with one speaker suggesting that a repeat of the May 13 riots was possible if the Christians, whom he accused of practising “extremism” did not “back down”, uttering the threat: “Who knows, there might be a Feb. 13?”

• Also kept a conspicuous silence when the racialist rantings of Umno executive secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh at an Umno club function in London in March this year was exposed;

• Aided and abetted the inflammatory and incendiary campaign by Umno-controlled media like Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, government television and radio stations, playing the race and religious cards to viciously and falsely paint Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Pakatan Rakyat Penang State Government as “anti-Malay” and “anti-Islam”; and

• Declared that he is “Malay first and Malaysian second” which is not only against Najib’s 1Malaysia concept but served as a rallying point against Najib and any meaningful flowering of the 1Malaysia concept.

The proclamation by the BTN deputy director Hamim Husin to a Puteria Umno closed-door function that Malay rights is a mandate to rule the country (Malaysian Insider) is the latest proof that the biggest enemy to Najib’s 1Malaysia is from within his own camp, not only Umno but also BTN in government.

When the BTN can continue its offensive, insensitive and racist “brain washing” not only among civil servants but extend it to political activists in Umno circles like Umno Putri, it is clear that Najib is facing an open revolt, which clearly has the backing of Muhyiddin.

This shambolic anarchy in the Najib premiership cannot continue or it will drive away all interested investments in Malaysia, whether foreign or domestic and condemn Malaysia to the fate of a new failed state in the world.

The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday must take a stand, not only to end the 46-day government inaction against the two principals for their incendiary, racist and insensitive statements; on firm action against BTN by closing down the government “brain-washing” unit which is openly revolting against Najib’s 1Malaysia concept but also on whether the Cabinet fully endorse Najib’s 1Malaysia policy or otherwise.

Man of No Action plays Tai Chi , saying

"I cannot act against racist principals, says DPM "....Balls you have no power to act as Education Minister ? Who are you trying to kid ??

UPDATED @ 10:13:09 PM 23-09-2010

By Clara Chooi

September 23, 2010

SERI KEMBANGAN, Sept 23 — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claimed today he had no power to take action against the two school principals who allegedly uttered racial slurs, despite his position as the country’s Education Minister.

He explained to reporters here today that this was because disciplinary matters involving high-ranking civil servants comes under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Department (PSD).

“The minister cannot make a decision (on this). So cases that involve certain matters, including these principals who have high (pay) grades... If I am not wrong, their grades are between 48 and 52, so this has to be decided on by a disciplinary board under the (purview of the) PSD’s director-general,” he told reporters after opening the 10th regional seminar on the Criminalisation of Bribery at the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel here this afternoon.

Muhyiddin (picture) pointed out that the ministry, on its part, had already done its own research on the cases and had handed over its report to the PSD for further action.

“I have asked the PSD to mete out appropriate action. It is under their jurisdiction (to do so),” he said.

He added that he had already made the announcement and urged the people to wait for the PSD to make its decision.

Earlier this month, PSD director-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah told a press conference in Putrajaya that the department had already received a “six-inch thick” report from the Education Ministry on the matter.

“If there is a case against the principal, then the disciplinary committee will deliberate. A show-cause letter will be issued to the principal and she will be given the opportunity to defend herself,” he had reportedly said.

Siti Inshah Mansor, the principal of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, had allegedly told students during an assembly that the Chinese could return the China and that the Indians resembled “dogs” with their prayer strings.

“Pelajar-pelajar Cina tidak diperlukan dan boleh balik ke China ataupun Sekolah Foon Yew. Bagi pelajar India, tali sembahyang yang diikat di pergelangan tangan dan leher pelajar nampak seakan anjing dan hanya anjing akan mengikat seperti itu,” she had allegedly said last month.

Following the public uproar over her controversial statement, about 20 reports were lodged against the principal.

In the Kedah case, Ungku Aznan Ungku Ismail, the school principal for SMK Bukit Selambau in Sungai Petani, caused a national outcry when he too allegedly uttered racial slurs to his non-Malay students.

Ungku Aznan had allegedly publicly told a few Chinese students to go back to China for they were behaving disrespectfully when they were seen having breakfast in the school canteen during the Ramadan fasting month.

He later escaped stern punishment when he was merely reassigned to an office in the district education office at Kuala Muda in Sungai Petani, shortly after the incident, drawing flak from many political leaders, including those from MCA.

The government has come under fire for failing to act quickly on the matter, despite their swift action in the case of controversial rapper Wee Meng Chee or “Namewee”, who had produced a video in response to the incident involving the principals.

The opposition said the government was practicing “double-standards” in how it handled both matters, and have predicted that the Johor school principal would likely be let off with a mere slap on the wrist.

DPM wants Chinese to play greater role in country’s development

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

September 22, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tonight called on the Chinese community to play a greater role in helping the government to develop the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister said every community in the country has a role in determining the country’s future.

“We aim to be successful in building a developed country in every aspect according to our own way and become recognised by the international community. Our success is based on the diversity of talents, skills and potential of everybody in contributing to every aspect of the nation’s development.

“Therefore, all races that have the patriotic spirit should not be excluded in contributing because each citizen has a role and responsibility,” he said when launching the 1 Malaysia Lantern Festival at Wisma MCA here.

Muhyiddin (picture) praised the Chinese community for its role in developing the country’s economy.

“As citizens who love the country, we all need to play a role in contributing to the development of our country. In this context, we highly appreciate the contribution and role of our Chinese partners in developing the economy through business and retail activities. Therefore, anyone wishing to succeed in business should take the example and emulate the way of our Chinese partners,” he said.

He was confident the Chinese community would help the government to achieve the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) and steer the country to become a high-income nation.

“(We are confident) that our Chinese partners will not hesitate to help anyone who has the talent and potential to progress. In a larger context, we are confident that our Chinese partners are willing and sincere to help the government's efforts to achieve a NKRA that enhance the standard of living of low-income people,” he said.

See article : Chinese Malaysians Asking Far Too Much

Zero tolerance for racism or zero action?

Zero tolerance for racism or zero action?

The double standards marred 1Malaysia

Thomas Lee

It is nearly a month since the controversial racist remarks allegedly made by Johor school principal Siti Inshah Mansor on August 12 were highlighted in the media, but no action has so far been taken on the case.

On the contrary, the case involving 27-year-old rapper Wee Meng Chee, popularly known as Namewee, who last week uploaded a video titled “Nah” on YouTube criticising Siti Inshah’s alleged racist remarks uttered against students, was investigated straight away by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which questioned him for more than seven hours.

It was reported that the police also went to Meng Chee’s house in Muar 15 minutes before midnight on the eve of the 53rd Merdeka celebration, leading him to post this message on his Facebook: “3 POLICE CARS FINALLY CAME TO MY MUAR HOME TO ARREST ME***** this happened 15 minutes before our 53rd National Day Celebration. YES, I’m still here but for how long more, I don’t know … my beloved MALAYSIA, where is our justice system?! (THIS IS NOT A JOKE)”.

Federal CID chief Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin has also confirmed that Meng Chee was being investigated under the Sedition Act.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang wants to know why the police are investigating Meng Chee for sedition when there is nothing seditious in his three-minute rap against the Kulai secondary school principal for making racist slurs against students while the school principal is still scot-free for her seditious racism.

Siti Inshah’s case concerns her remarks likening Indian students wearing prayer threads to dogs on a leash, and ordered dissatisfied ethnic Chinese and Indian students to “return to China or India”.

Her remarks sparked a nationwide public furore and drew calls for her to be sacked. Several police reports were lodged against her, but despite setting up a task force to probe the allegations, Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has so far stonewalled on taking any action.

She had reportedly made the derogatory remarks during the launch of the school’s Merdeka celebrations on August 12.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had recently declared that there should be “zero tolerance for racism”, yet there has been no concrete action taken against racists and extremists, some within the ranks of his own party, who are making his 1 Malaysia concept into a worthless slogan, and causing him to be held in contempt by the people.

The unremitting incessant racist comments by mercenary newspaper columnists and the igneous fiery rhetoric of ardent fervid racist politicians promoting the supremacy of one particular race are creating an atmosphere of dread and fear among the people.

The chorus of protests and condemnation against such racist propaganda seems to have fallen on the deaf ears of the power-that-be, with no vocal and visible actions being taken to curb the racist politicians and civil servants.

For example, in the Siti Inshah case, Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom trivialised the whole serious matter as simply a “misunderstanding”, instead of viewing her racists remarks as something that hurt the feelings of others, jeopardising the peace, harmony and unity of the nation.

Alimuddin’s thoughtless dismissal of the grave scenario exposes him as being incapable and incompetent in understanding the severity and gravity of the consequences of such damaging remarks, which could destroy the peaceful co-existence of our multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual nation.

The Najib administration has a duty and accountability to take fast and hard actions against those who fan racial fires which threaten the peace and harmony of the nation, and create disunity among the people.

First of all, Najib and his ministers cannot keep silent in the face of such racist rhetoric and racial power play among the nefarious politicians, especially those promoting the supremacy and superiority of any particular race.

Najib wants to create a 1 Malaysia community, but it is surely obvious that his ideal has not been filtering down to the people, with several extremist rights groups going all out to create disharmony.

Over the last one year or so, the dubious and shady characters of certain rights groups have been going around disparaging the non-Malays, calling them “immigrants” or “passengers”, and asking them to leave the country. There were also the so-called cow-head protest and the arson attacks on places of worship.

There were also acts of sabotage against a duly elected state government by creating problems and scandals with racial or religious overtones, such as the doctored picture of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Secondly, the Najib administration must go all out to rein in the unscrupulous malevolent elements in positions of power in the civil service and weed them out to preserve and protect the harmony, peace and unity of the nation.

Fast disciplinary and legal actions must be instituted against those who cast aspersions and obloquy on people of other races, like the school head who made racial slurs against the non-Malays, and the police officer who told a snatch theft victim to “go back to China” when she couldn’t speak proper Bahasa Malaysia while making a police report.

Thirdly, the Najib administration should heed the proposal by DAP national chairman Karpal Singh to enact a Race Relations Act as a deterrent to prevent further racist remarks from being uttered by irresponsible individuals.

I believe that such a legislation would contribute much to enhance race relations in Malaysia. I suggest that the following objectives be used as guiding principles for such a legislation:

(a) To promote greater integration and better relations among people of the various races and ethnic groups.

(b) To eradicate racial discrimination, harassment and abuses.

(c) To promote racial equality in the civil service, and education institutions.

(d) To support private sector employers to ensure equality of opportunity and good race relations.

(e) To increase public awareness of racial discrimination and injustice through education and the information media.

(f) To win the hearts and minds of the people and unite them to create a just, fair and equal society.

If Najib is truly serious and earnest about “zero tolerance for racism”, then he must act positively and constructively in dealing with the increasingly intolerant racist insurgency that is gathering momentum and threatening the fragile and friable mosaic of our multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual nation. — mysinchew.com

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Teaching teachers about racism

Teaching teachers about racism

Aizuddin Danian

The Ministry of Education released a statement recently directed to teachers and school administrators to be careful about making racist remarks.

In the circular dated Aug 26, ministry director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said he viewed seriously the allegations against a small group of people for making racist remarks in school.

"They are insensitive to the Government's efforts to make schools the place to cultivate the 1Malaysia spirit," he said.

"If investigations show that principals or teaching staff are guilty of racism, the ministry will take serious action against them."

Malaysian pupils should think of themselves as Malaysian

Better late than never, I'd say. Too late to stop the silly trainwreck of recent weeks, but probably good enough to ensure that future occurrences are much reduced. If there is one thing i like about Government servants, it's that they are highly predictable, and very lemming-like in their behaviour. If you tell them to jump, they'll jump. If you tell them to shut up, they'll shut up.

The thing that concerns me is that while we can control their behaviour, i wonder how much control to we have over their thoughts and hearts. Racism, as i mentioned earlier, is an ideological social disease. Just like any disease, doctors can suppress the symptoms and often completely miss the root cause.

Greater efforts need to be taken to ensure that racism stays out of our schools. Circulars and memos are simply not enough. Consider what was done in the US, perhaps we could do the same:

During the 2004-05 school year, site- and district-level administrators and the Board of Trustees went through the PEG's foundational two-day Beyond Diversity training. Beyond Diversity provides participants with agreements and conditions for having courageous conversations about race.

Many teachers expressed feelings of guilt and anger. Some teachers felt like they were being accused of being racist. Requiring teachers to select focal students based on race, language acquisition and academic status was questioned. Teachers wondered if focusing on a few students was fair to other students in the class.

Alimuddin

Addressing personal and institutional racism in schools is the challenge of the 21st century. Many educators are now calling the achievement gap the civil rights issue of today. Progress will be made only if educators are committed to continuing the conversation that focuses on race and student achievement.

Addressing personal and institutional racism will not be without conflict, as described by Frederick Douglass: "Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightening. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle."

Racism is not something that can be swept under the carpet with the hope that it will go away. You can't beat an ideological social disease by ignoring it. You need to confront it head on, you need to talk about it openly, you need to ensure that whatever deep-seated ill-feelings in the hearts of our teachers are flushed out into the open and debated.

Teachers are human beings too, they have feelings, thoughts, beliefs, likes, dislikes, loves and hates. But unlike other humans, they are directly responsible for the growth and development of our future. It makes perfect sense to invest positively in their role to eliminate racism from our children. - Volume of Interactions

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Guan Eng blames Muhyiddin for ‘racist’ civil service

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

September 06, 2010

Lim: Umno leaders should refrain from racist politics before pointing fingers to others.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today blamed Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for failing to act on reports of racism in the civil service over the past weeks.

Lim said that the move by the Education Ministry’s Director-General Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom in issuing a circular on August 26, warning that action would be taken against those “who made racist remarks” was irrelevant as it did not address the “real problem.”

“The Education Ministry’s latest circular to warn school principals and teachers against making racist remarks is irrelevant as it fails to address the real problems. Blaming the principals and teachers is merely an act of finding a scapegoat,” said Lim in a statement today.

Lim claimed that the warning should instead be directed to Muhyiddin, the education minister, for failing to act and condoning the racist remarks made by two school principals in Kulai, Johor and Kedah recently.

“Umno leaders should refrain from racist politics before pointing fingers to others. The buck should stop at Tan Sri Muhyiddin. If Muhyiddin continues to tolerate racist behaviour among Umno leaders and members, it is not surprising that it has infected the civil service, including school principals and teachers. Stern actions must be taken to resolve this problem, said Lim.

The Penang Chief Minister said that the Education Ministry’s move in issuing a circular reflected badly on the country’s education system, adding that principals, teachers and other school staff should themselves be aware that uttering racist remarks was wrong.

“By issuing the circular, it shows that something is seriously wrong with our education system. The principals, teachers and other school staff should already know a long time ago, even on the first day on their job that uttering racist remarks is wrong, illegal and against the basic principles of their vocation. It is such a shameful situation where teachers have to be reminded that racism is both wrong and bad. What will the students think?

“We have high hopes on our school principals and teachers. They are teaching our children to be good and responsible citizens. After 53 years of Merdeka, is this our education system’s greatest achievement?” said Lim.

The Najib administration has yet to announce whether it planned to punish Johor school principal Siti Inshah Mansor for allegedly uttering racial slurs.

Muhyiddin said last weekend that the buck was now in the hands of the “enforcement authority” to decide on what form of action to take against the Johor principal.

Before that, Muhyiddin had directed Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom to set up a task force to probe the incident.

Alimuddin had previously invited flak when he claimed shortly after the incident that it was merely a misunderstanding and had been settled between the principal and the school parents.

Siti Inshah entered the limelight recently after she allegedly told the SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman school assembly that the Chinese could go back to China and that the Indians looked like “dogs” when they wore their prayer strings.

“Muhyiddin should stop playing politics and seriously think of the impact on our multiracial country. Racism is beyond party politics; it is a cancer that can destroy all of us, regardless of one’s creed, colour and class,” said Lim.

DPM spouts zero-tolerance for Namewee, not headmistresses

DPM spouts zero-tolerance for Namewee, not headmistresses

Muhyiddin himself accused of being racist

Malaysia Chronicle

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyddin Yassin has reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy for racism, but it was clear that for him, racism was only meant for the non-Malays.

His remarks made at a press conference on Thursday defending the police action taken against controversial rapper Namewee, while maintaining a deafening silence on two Malay headmistresses accused of hurling racial taunts at their pupils were denounced by members of the political opposition.

Lee Boon Chye

“It is shocking that this sort of outright racial bullying can be so blatantly and openly pursued by Umno leaders. It shows the level of degradation. It is as though the other races are dead to them, we are not on the Umno radar at all,” PKR vice president Lee Boon Chye told Malaysia Chronicle.

Only Namewee, nothing on the headmistresses

Muhyiddin told reporters Namewee's behavior could have an "adverse effect" on the country, but did not specify how. The 27-year old rapper, whose full name is Wee Meng Chee, had produced a three-minute video clip lambasting two Malay headmistresses for their alleged racism.

The clip sparked near immediate retaliation with the police sending three patrol cars to his home in Muar, Johor to pick him up for questioning.

However, the two school principals escaped similar humiliation and are instead being investigated by the Education authorities and the Public Service Department. Muhyiddin, who is also Education minister, made matters worse by declining to comment on their cases, choosing instead to focus on Namewee.

Namewee at his studio

“Even though previously there are certain parties who have accused the government of not being firm against racism but we have studied this matter (Namewee) because what is important is that we do not want any racial tension between the different communities which could have an adverse effect on the country,” Muhyiddin told a press conference.

“That is why if there is someone who wants to voice their opinion in a democratic country, they are bound by laws especially the Sedition Act. That is why the government has decided that we must be more firm, regardless of race, against actions and statements that can escalate racial tension. We want to avoid this.”

Who is the real racist

It has already been nearly a month since the complaints about the two principals first erupted but Muhyiddin declined to set a definitive time frame on when a decision on the pair could be made.

“We have transferred the case to PSD and we hope they will make a decision immediately. That is why it was transferred last week and the PSD director has been asked to make a decision as soon as possible,” he said.

Siti Inshah, the headmistress of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Kulai had said in a speech in early August:

“Pelajar-pelajar Cina tidak diperlukan dan boleh balik ke China ataupun Sekolah Foon Yew. Bagi pelajar India, tali sembahyang yang diikat di pergelangan tangan dan leher pelajar nampak seakan anjing dan hanya anjing akan mengikat seperti itu.”

“Chinese students are not needed and can go back to China or Foon Yew School. As for the Indian students, the prayer strings that they wear around their wrists and necks make them look like dogs and only dogs are chained up like that.”

Despite calls for her sacking, Education director-general Alimuddin Mohd Dom had tried to cover up her case, claiming that it had been amicably resolved. But parents and other civil rights groups lodged police reports against her and Muhyiddin was forced to set up a task-force to re-investigate the case.

Tian Chua

As for Namewee, in his music video that was peppered with the vulgar and obscene words typical of his generation of rap musicians, his lyric “You tak baca? Siapa buat Malaysia kaya?” (Don’t you know? Who made Malaysia prosperous?) was seized on by Umno leaders, who accused him of intentionally humiliating the Malays and creating racial tensions.

Public sentiment no longer with BN

Pundits have said Namewee’s video was a ‘godsend’ for Umno to reinforce its pitch to the Malays that it was the sole defender of their rights.But in doing so, it has created even further ethnic tensions.

An influential overseas think-tank Economic Intelligence said in a report released a day ago that public sentiment no longer favored the BN and as such, it no longer expects snap general elections to take place in 2011. It predicted Prime Minister Najib Razak will defer the 13th national polls to sometime in 2012.

“I won’t discount that possibility even though at the moment I still believe elections will come earlier rather than later. But the longer Najib delays, the better it is for Pakatan. Umno can’t change any more, what moves can it make?” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

"It can only get worse and it will sink to new depths just to impress the Malays. They don’t care about the Chinese but don’t underestimate the Malay sense of fair play. When Umno over-does it, there will a backlash – just like in 1999 when Malays protested the persecution of Anwar Ibrahim and voted for the opposition.”

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