• UiTM to Khalid Ibrahim “Don’t mess with the Malays”

Selangor’s Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s recent proposal that UiTM, a strictly Malay-only institution of learning, be opened up to non-Malays drew ire from students and I believe ruffled feathers of backward Malays all around Malaysia. He proposed that 10%, just 10% mind you, of UiTM’s allocation be given to non-Malays. That was enough to send UiTM bumiputera students scrambling to the MB’s office for an open demonstration demanding their make believe ‘Ketuanan‘, or what you may call something that doesn’t really exist, be upheld indefinitely. In other words, you don’t mess with the Malays.

Politically it was a bad move. As a PKR member, Khalid Ibrahim should not have conjure up issues that challenges the Malay priviledge with Permatang Pauh’s by-election just around the corner. As much as it is unfair to non-Malays in this country, this is too sensitive an issue to be touched lest you want to risk any chances of Pakatan Rakyat to ever achieve federal government status.

Generations of Malays have grown up accustomed to such Ketuanan priviledges. Brainwashed to believe that we non-Malays owe it to them staying here as pendatangs and the taxes we pay are only rightful for their enjoyment of Ketuanan benefits. It is no wonder the Malays will lash out to the slightest provocation or threat that might see their Ketuanan priviledges dented.

Ketuanan Melayu has proven nothing but breed hatred, greed, corruption, incompetitiveness, insecurity and so many depressing qualities the younger generations of Malays to become associated with. It is the Malay’s Ketuanan belief that will pose the greatest threat to the growth of Malaysia in its path to a foward-thinking developed nation. Ketuanan will be the most evil curse to the Malays. I believe the Malays themselves know it but the temptation of Ketuanan may prove to be too addictive to give up.

It is also Ketuanan Melayu that will keep UMNO, big or small, a looming plaque that will bring only destruction to Malaysia. How can PKR or any other opposition parties who champion liberalization, multi-racialness and meritocracy ever going to set a foothold in Malaysia against Ketuanan Melayu is anybody’s guess. UMNO no doubt will be waiting to pounce whenever Ketuanan Melayu or Malay unity is questioned.

So my advice to Pakatan Rakyat is just let status quo untouched, form the federal government first and do whatever’s necessary to bring our economy back on track. Lay down the framework - IPCMC, an independent ACA, overhauled judiciary etc - that will keep the government in checks and balances for time to come. You do not have to champion non-Malay rights (or pretend to) to equality in Malaysia to win my vote!