Marginalised

This letter which appeared in The Star 27 September 2006 is the first opinion I've seen which agrees with Lee Kuan Yew's statement about the marginalised status of the Chinese in Malaysia and Indonesia.

The letter:

"Meritocracy is the way for our country

SINGAPORE Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's statement on the status of the Chinese in Malaysia has drawn the ire of many local politicians.

The statement is highly provocative but it strikes right at the heart of concern for many Malaysians who have had to live under the New Economic Policy and, as a result, have been disadvantaged in one way or another.

In a way there is some truth to Lee's statement. Isn'’t it marginalisation if some deserving students are denied schorlarships due to some discriminative policies which favour one group of people over another?

Similarly, in the commercial sector many outstanding and efficient local non-bumiputra companies are sidelined due to the affirmative policies.

Are these companies not being 'marginalised'?

I am proud of my country but increasingly I feel I am being treated like a second-class citizen.

I have two young daughters and it is my sincere wish to see them grow up in an environment where they will be judged based on merit and not on race or colour.

I hope the country is able to fully embrace the concept of meritocracy soon. Otherwise statements like the one uttered by Lee will continue to haunt us.

LOW LENG HUA,

Klang."

The last paragraph on meritocracy seems to say it all. Everyone would love to see the concept of meritocracy being practiced here but I doubt it will be embraced whole heartedly by the populace. This is especially so for those who feel threatened by any signs of encroachment to their perceived birth right as they have been anointed sons of the soil.

There is also another group which may have been overlooked by the great LKY. The marginalised within the "sons of the soil" group. It is a well known fact that there are different classes in that particular society and those with links to the upper echelons or knows someone along the lines of power would most probably get an easier and smoother ride in life. To me, these are the real marginalised as they have been hoodwinked into thinking that their lot will be better with the current party and machinery. Alas, anyone with the slightest inclination to deviate from the party philosophy would be deemed a pariah and not worthy of being helped. This is despite the fact that they are their own brethren in blood and religion. Take a look at Kelantan and those who support the opposition.

Each person in this country has to fight his own battles. The battle might involve family and friends and many have given up the struggle along the way. Please do something if we feel we have a stake in this country, if we do not want a perpetuity of all the negatives winning the day. I do not have the perfect solution but I do feel the mere presence of dissenting voices bodes well for the future.

A bloom

My newly planted frangipani has given me some bloooms. This is actually a bragging act before the actual test begins. The plant arrived yesterday and had already some blooms as the man from the nursery wanted to prove that the plant does bear flowers. I was just so overjoyed this morning that the plant did not keel over during the night. Anything can happen with my gardening expertise. I'm crossing my fingers that the plant, is it a he or she I'm unsure, will accept me as its guardian as long as it is under my care. That caring stuff we will have to wait and see. Hope for the best as usual.

Neighbours

I accidentally saw something sticking out on the ledge above my kitchen a few hours ago. On closer inspection it is a rag from one of the units above me. No one has come knocking at my door inquiring about that missing piece. So I shall assume that it not wanted anymore. To the rubbish bin it goes. Most probably I'll be having more unwanted and unexpected presents from above. The vagaries of living with all sorts of people in a confined environment. I'm had it easy compared to some horror stories from others who had bigger items that could even endanger lives found in their compounds. Thankful for little mercies but I do wish this gift will stop flowing..

Money Politics

As usual the headline in the sun of 12th September 2006 is pure Dr. M.

It seems incongruous that someone who started this particular trend in the ruling party’s tradition has come out against it. Once upon a time, money was not evident during the party’s election campaign. But since that particular leader came to power, that habit of currying favour with your supporters with the aid of the big ringgit has been accepted as normal procedure. A known fact but not acknowledged publicly. If that style of campaigning is so despicable to him, why did he not stop it from the start? He may feign innocence since he does not know personally of any cases but is it a case of putting the blinkers to reality. Anyway, what is happening at the moment is a product of his legacy. If he does not like what he is seeing, he should shoulder the responsibility. Or maybe he should be proud that his supporters/successors have learnt their lessons so well from the great master. You reap what you sow.

Improvement

It was a pleasant surprise when I went for my trip to Bangkok from Kuala Lmpur on 31^st

August 2006 as well as the return journey a few days later. Passengers were not kept waiting at the terminal for hours but we were let into the plane almost on schedule. There was a slight delay, maybe about ten minutes, before the actual taxing along the runway. This is such a vast improvement compared to the definition of delayed flights adopted by air asia – half an hour. I do hope they keep up with the good work. I also look forward to my next trip to see whether this improvement will be maintained or is it just a flash in the pan.

Image from air asia picture gallery