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.