We all came from dust
With all the political hoo-ha going on right now, the racial tension simmering beneath the surface is bound to boil at some point. The ethnic Chinese are working hard, doing well and want to be treated fairly. Meanwhile, the Malays or 'princes of the earth' (POEs) are resentful that not many of them are enjoying the same economic success.
This despite getting preferential treatment in university admissions, scholarships and loans. Despite having to register a minimum percentage of company equities under a POE name. Despite getting 10% discount off property prices and other POE-only perks.
What they don't realise is that the POEs who have made it (on their own merit or otherwise) are very rich, and have benefited greatly from the government's economic policy (ironically, they are the ones making the most noise in Parliament). The ones struggling to make a living probably missed out not because we, the ethnic Chinese stole their jobs or opportunities. The fact is, they've been given more than their fair share. They just didn't work as hard or make the most of it. Or maybe they're not drinking 'teh tarik' with the right people.
After decades of leaning on economic crutches (funded by tax payers), they are now conditioned to let, no, expect the government to provide for their needs. Like guaranteed minimum work, minimum wage jobs. Lowered benchmarks for easier assessments (this applies even in public school exams). Special privileges and discounts. Of course, this doesn't stop them from being unhappy when people of other races enjoy a better lifestyle, despite not being on the receiving end of POE benefits.
This resentment fuels a quiet racial rage, especially evident in young POEs, who are brought up to think that the world owes them a living. That we, non-POEs, by virtue of the fact that we live here, owe them a living too. No matter that we too, are citizens like themselves. And that's when things go horribly wrong.
A true story I heard went like this:
A gang of teenage POEs followed and beat up another teenager one night in Uptown, PJ. After relieving him of his wallet, they were about to take off with his money when they saw his IC. It turned out the boy was a POE himself. The gang actually returned the wallet and money to him and said, "Why didn't you say you were a POE? We thought you were Chinese." I don't know why POEs think the Chinese are rich. Most belong to the middle class and there are many who are struggling to make ends meet.
Here's another story I heard today:
This happened near Sg.Long. A group of POE boys had a fight a with a group of Chinese boys. The Chinese fellas were outnumbered and went into hiding. Somehow one of them got caught, and the POE boys went on to beat him almost to death, before putting a firecracker in his mouth and blowing him up. The boy died.
When his family members demanded the police investigate and get the boys involved into custody, they didn't do much to help. Instead, they were more concerned about making sure the Chinese community in the area will not retaliate and take the law into their own hands. Of course, an incident like this was kept hush-hush from the media. Who knows how many more were covered up this way.
Over the years, this undercurrent propaganda has successfully divided our 'harmonious' multi-racial society. Not so much on the surface, but we all know we must deal with these 'issues' delicately and with caution, lest you get thrown in jail for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Most of my ethnic Chinese friends are becoming more and more angry with this state of affairs. Many are also fed up and have left the country, or have made the decision to migrate.
It breaks my heart to hear these stories. It breaks my heart to know that MANY good, intelligent Malaysians have given up. As more and more friends of mine leave for fairer playing grounds, I wonder if given the choice, would I leave too?
While this has been quite a POE bashing session, I do have a few very good POE friends who are not of the typical POE mould. In fact, one of them is even of royal blood (which makes him a real 'P' in POE). But everything he has achieved for himself has been on his own merit. He didn't need help or hand outs. He didn't even ask for money from his parents. In fact, he pretty much lives like a hermit. Makes a decent, modest living doing something he loves, in a job that requires talent and soul, not family contacts or political clout. Best of all, he lives like an average joe. There are no excesses in his life. But he is rich in his experiences and knowledge.
So, every time I get pissed off with the POEs around me, I remind myself that it's not because they are POEs. It's because they are people. And people are generally idiots anyway. Myself included. The only distinction I try to make between people now is simply based on this - good, or bad. If they are the latter, I will not waste precious brain space and energy on them.
POEs or not, we ALL came from the earth.
We are all dust in some screwed up configuration anyway.
And to dust we return.
This despite getting preferential treatment in university admissions, scholarships and loans. Despite having to register a minimum percentage of company equities under a POE name. Despite getting 10% discount off property prices and other POE-only perks.
What they don't realise is that the POEs who have made it (on their own merit or otherwise) are very rich, and have benefited greatly from the government's economic policy (ironically, they are the ones making the most noise in Parliament). The ones struggling to make a living probably missed out not because we, the ethnic Chinese stole their jobs or opportunities. The fact is, they've been given more than their fair share. They just didn't work as hard or make the most of it. Or maybe they're not drinking 'teh tarik' with the right people.
After decades of leaning on economic crutches (funded by tax payers), they are now conditioned to let, no, expect the government to provide for their needs. Like guaranteed minimum work, minimum wage jobs. Lowered benchmarks for easier assessments (this applies even in public school exams). Special privileges and discounts. Of course, this doesn't stop them from being unhappy when people of other races enjoy a better lifestyle, despite not being on the receiving end of POE benefits.
This resentment fuels a quiet racial rage, especially evident in young POEs, who are brought up to think that the world owes them a living. That we, non-POEs, by virtue of the fact that we live here, owe them a living too. No matter that we too, are citizens like themselves. And that's when things go horribly wrong.
A true story I heard went like this:
A gang of teenage POEs followed and beat up another teenager one night in Uptown, PJ. After relieving him of his wallet, they were about to take off with his money when they saw his IC. It turned out the boy was a POE himself. The gang actually returned the wallet and money to him and said, "Why didn't you say you were a POE? We thought you were Chinese." I don't know why POEs think the Chinese are rich. Most belong to the middle class and there are many who are struggling to make ends meet.
Here's another story I heard today:
This happened near Sg.Long. A group of POE boys had a fight a with a group of Chinese boys. The Chinese fellas were outnumbered and went into hiding. Somehow one of them got caught, and the POE boys went on to beat him almost to death, before putting a firecracker in his mouth and blowing him up. The boy died.
When his family members demanded the police investigate and get the boys involved into custody, they didn't do much to help. Instead, they were more concerned about making sure the Chinese community in the area will not retaliate and take the law into their own hands. Of course, an incident like this was kept hush-hush from the media. Who knows how many more were covered up this way.
Over the years, this undercurrent propaganda has successfully divided our 'harmonious' multi-racial society. Not so much on the surface, but we all know we must deal with these 'issues' delicately and with caution, lest you get thrown in jail for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Most of my ethnic Chinese friends are becoming more and more angry with this state of affairs. Many are also fed up and have left the country, or have made the decision to migrate.
It breaks my heart to hear these stories. It breaks my heart to know that MANY good, intelligent Malaysians have given up. As more and more friends of mine leave for fairer playing grounds, I wonder if given the choice, would I leave too?
While this has been quite a POE bashing session, I do have a few very good POE friends who are not of the typical POE mould. In fact, one of them is even of royal blood (which makes him a real 'P' in POE). But everything he has achieved for himself has been on his own merit. He didn't need help or hand outs. He didn't even ask for money from his parents. In fact, he pretty much lives like a hermit. Makes a decent, modest living doing something he loves, in a job that requires talent and soul, not family contacts or political clout. Best of all, he lives like an average joe. There are no excesses in his life. But he is rich in his experiences and knowledge.
So, every time I get pissed off with the POEs around me, I remind myself that it's not because they are POEs. It's because they are people. And people are generally idiots anyway. Myself included. The only distinction I try to make between people now is simply based on this - good, or bad. If they are the latter, I will not waste precious brain space and energy on them.
POEs or not, we ALL came from the earth.
We are all dust in some screwed up configuration anyway.
And to dust we return.
Labels: ranting
says Wandernut on Monday, October 16, 2006
16 wandered by:
~~~~~~~~geekchic
It's not just the quietly bubbling racial tension which is pushing me away. It's also how corrupt the government is. It's also how ... well, yes, it all boils down to racial polarity for me to want to leave. I'm not saying it will be all well elsewhere. Just that I'm happier and I'll be a better person elsewhere.
I don't like to think of myself as a quitter. But in this case, I really don't have a choice but to call it quits at this place.
Each time I get really angry, i'm completely clouded by anger, none of this rational not-all-POEs-are-like-this. NONE at all.
SO, yeah, I'm quite hopeless that way.
My sentiments exactly.
It's difficult to keep a perspective on things when, like you say, some get more of an advantage than others. AND take their advantage for granted.
So I choose to focus on other things that matter. Like my upcoming Do-Nothing holiday in Koh Lanta. Or what I will have for breakfast tomorrow (cereal with fruits? or cereal with raisins?)
:D
My biggest dissatisfaction comes from the shambles that is our education system because I believe that is THE pillar of civilization. (Education, not shambles =P) Our children aren't taught English, history, or science properly; they aren't taught to write or think or excel in a fashion that isn't about 17A1s in the SPM. I know kids from my hometown who are top scorers in their high schools, but who struggle to match the knowledge of their Singaporean and Chinese counterparts in university. My children will be taught by people of my generation who never cared to be teachers in the first place, products of the present system which discourages independence and accepts, if not rewards, mediocrity. The state of our education system today is deeply rooted in politics, and while it is possible that things could get better, I believe the the past (our present) creates ruts that will be difficult to escape from.
Those of us who wish or plan to leave Malaysia have been accused of being selfish. But yet, we are not leaving only for ourselves, but like immigrants who settle in (more) developed countries, the Jews, the Mexicans, the Somalis, the Indonesians, we also want better and more secure opportunities for our future generations. Yes, we all came from dust, to which we shall all return, but while we draw breath, we have the power and choice to affect how we spend our short time on earth .
Geek: You're not hopeless la. You're just more emotional than most ;) But that's not a bad thing, ya know. HUGS.
Yules: Ignorance is bliss, babe. Ignorance is bliss. But no matter how hard I TRY to be ignorant, somehow these stories still get to me and I go ARRRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!
And oh, I LOVE RAISIN BRAN CEREAL!
Shryh: Well said, babe. Now you know why I keep saying you ought to be a politician in the opposition. We NEED more people like you.
I don't think those who wish to migrate are selfish. It's great that they have the power and choice to move, AND the guts to do it.
I'm actually seriously considering it. But I think I'd be an emotional wreck. I have foolish sentimental attachments to this place. As well as idealistic notions of what it could/should be. Of course, I know an ideal will ALWAYS remain just that.
So depressing la. Hahaha.
I remind myself that it's not because they are POEs. It's because they are people.
Ah Nutty, you remind me yet again why I am so impressed with your maturity of thought.
In every society, the group that is singled out for preference eventually develops a collective sense of entitlement. It's an inevitable human weakness, wherever you go.
The whole basis of civilisation is that the norms of the majority will take precedence, will dictate policy and social norms.
The NEP was a necessity simply because an economic divide is probably THE most problematic issue in modern civilisation. Compare countries like Switzerland and Japan with Angola or France. You'll never see extremism and violence on the same, if at all, scale in countries where economic inequity is like a chasm.
The have-nots can only take so much of the Haves' excess before human nature (envy, greed, boh-kam-guan) takes over.
Where Malaysia (and the US) went wrong was to tie it to race, instead of the poverty line.
I think the real problem is the irresistable human need to segregate into groups - be it race, politics, religion, school, company, profession. The only way to distinguish your group is by highlighting its superiority over others. My gang/race/school/religion/milkshake is better than yours. We Chinese are so much better than you.
Bollocks.
I'm sure you and I both know Chinese who positively HATE the POEs almost exclusively based on their race. That hate merges into a hate of Islam. Watch them go speechless when you point out that there's at least 20 million Muslims in China. Hear them sputter when you enlighten them of the fact that millions of Chinese (as in citizens of China) struggle to cope with the breaking of their Communist Iron Rice Bowl as capitalism sweeps through China.
I feel like shoving a mirror in the face of every Chinese who bitches and moans solely on the basis of race. Their emotion-fuelled rants are as deplorable as kris-weilding rhetoric. How are we the more superior?
Look in the mirror.
A major reason why the NEP has worked so well in Malaysia is largely to do with how the inherently greed-motivated Chinese have manipulated the system. Ali Baba wouldnt be so rich if not for his rich (and equally corrupt) Chinese business partner.
Look in the mirror. The problem is human weakness; intolerance and the inability to see ALL sides of the argument.
Affirmative action is necessary, else the ugly violence of human nature WILL show itself. But the weakness of human nature in how easily one slips into a sense of entitlement is also inevitable. Which is the greater evil?
The reason I don't blog abt this issue much is cos it would take far too many words to put my points into coherent sense. But considered silence is way preferable to an obvious lack of perspective.
WN, hats off to you for recognising that it's so much more complex than just playing into the race card.
Spot: And as always, I'm so velly impressed with how well you articulate your thoughts. Eh, post some more la... your blog so quiet lately. Too busy with your mini-catering business with Snowie ha! :D
Still waiting for your invite to tea and scones served on your pretty cake plates!
Having had some sleep since 5.30am this morning...I'm going get back on my soapbox with hopefully a bit more coherence.
If this is coming from the whole ASLI kerfuffle, well...I'd add that I think the distinction btwn politics and economics is being lost.
The indignant huff & puff that the politicians refuse to accept the 45% figure because they don't want to derail the gravy train. So, what then, is the point of the indignant? The NEP should therefore be abolished cos it's succeeded? But nobody denies that there are huge numbers of poor bumiputra that still do need help.
Unless a genuine affirmative action system is mooted to replace the NEP, all huffery and puffery are merely useless emotional hysterics.
It might be a good idea to understand that the disputed percentage is in relation tohow much corporate wealth is bumi-putra owned. That's quite irrelevant to the alleviation of poverty, if you ask me.
Politics is emotional, and rife with human weaknesses. It's a whole lot easier to get caught up with that than to challenge one's intellect with the brainpower that economics demands.
Gawd, WN, if your post has nothing to do with the whole ASLI thing, this comment really has been one long pointless soapbox drama! :)
at work now, I deal with a sino-kadazan chap (chinese for all intents and purposes, but with bumi perks).. and trust me, corruption is NOT race-based.
Spot: My post wasn't specifically focused on the ASLI ladida, but it was somewhat sparked off by it. What really riled me into posting this was one of the stories I heard over lunch from my colleague (it totally ruined my appetite - and THAT'S a huge catastrophe in my book).
Snowie: Yes, babe. It's human weakness, like Spot would say. Now you know why I get morbid fantasies of a comet crashing into earth and making the human race 'pupus'. Hehehehe.
V sien to post lah. Got so much work summor. Cis.
Fear not, wanderwomanut, your thick-skinned pleas have been heard. We shall do afternoon tea very soon...just got to sort out logistics and get pass this weekend first. :)
I don't think anyone really thinks that one race is more corrupt than the other. It just so happens that one race in particular dominate policy making, architects of policies that have also made it very difficult for any reasoned debate to take place. This is frustrating, as I believe the bigotry of the non-ruling races will be exposed and ridiculed for what it is in an environment of free and unfettered speech. But marginalization of any race in the economic and political spheres are fodder for extremists and cause deeper polarization. Treating issues like the NEP, ISA, or university quotas like sacred cows does not help.
Affirmative action makes no economic sense whatsoever and breeds freeloaders, even if some do benefit. Affirmative action does not necessarily to minimize violence and it does lead to a sense of entitlement; case in point, land redistribution and illegal expropriation in Zimbabwe. I disagree strongly that it is NECESSARY, but I can accept that it may be politically expedient to adopt affirmative action policies on occasion. Still, poverty knows no race, creed or religion, and there are much more efficient ways to alleviate poverty and maximize economic wellbeing over all than the NEP. Economic protectionism isn't tenable anymore and we are losing out on foreign direct investment because of this and that equity clauses. The NEP may have succeeded, but at some cost to our economic competitiveness and efficiency.
Bigotry, racism, extremism, suspicion, ignorance - signs of inadequate education (back to my original point. Whee!) which will take at least a couple of generations to reform. The larger issue of inequitable distribution and economic inefficiency is subsumed by the racial issue, but in times of distress, however mild, the disenfranchised and the disaffected will use race and/or religion as banners under which to unite against the Others. (See 150% of world conflict, world history) It's easy. It's there. We all belong to one or the other.
I think bringing attention to the fact that we're all weak, craven and greedy humans misses the point to a certain extent. The NEP happened, we have no choice but to live with the consequences, yet if nothing is being done to address the rumblings , we will only continue to live our lives along a faultline.
Oh, and I forgot to paste this link, WN. It's about how the world will go on if humans were to disappear without a trace. It's a beautiful and eerie picture, actually. =)
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/mg19225731.100
Shryh & Spot: I'm quite enlightened by all your different points of view and arguments in this little discussion/debate. And I believe this can go on till the cows, pigs, goats, chickens and ducks come home.
Learning quite abit from all this (coming from someone who hardly reads the paper). Well, I signed up a few months ago to be voter at the next election. I guess that's about one of very few things I can do to 'have a say'. And I'm definitely voting for the opposition (I only hope it's not PAS in my area).
In the meantime, it's a matter of making a living for myself while staying true to my own conscience. And I count myself blessed to know some POEs who actually do the same.
Gosh. I need a beer. NOW.
Shryh: Wow. Just visited the link. Sigh. I SO want a beer. If they made a movie, "Earth Without Man", showing how it happens with a nice nice orchestral soundtrack behind it, I'd probably cry tears of joy.
Shryh -
I don't think anyone really thinks that one race is more corrupt than the other
Lucky you. I know heaps of Chinese who can go on and on and on throwing stones at the Bumis from their glass houses. My parents do it all the time.
My point is that the vitriol of such ppl tend to come more from personal/emotional grudges against bumis. So the focus of their rants & rages become more about race than the actual issue - government policy gone wrong.
I know, it so happens that a particular race dominates hence the racialisation of the argument can't be helped. But that's the point...it MUST be helped.
We MUST avoid racialising an issue, however difficult it is, because as is so obviously clear, the moment something is tagged as "racial" in this country, it gets conveniently swept under the rug of "sensitive".
If our main beef is going to be premised on "you're bigots"...that discussion is never going to be allowed to happen.
As you say, the NEP happened. Exactly. We do what we must, as we have done, to adapt to it, to work round it. Racialising issues is only going to take everything off the table.
Take for example the low cost housing scheme. That's a poverty-line based policy implemented ALONGSIDE the NEP, ie the quota of houses set aside.
I think bringing attention to the fact that we're all weak, craven and greedy humans misses the point to a certain extent.
I meant it in the sense that instead of associating the problems with a racial identifier (which really just shatters the hornet's nest), focus the debate on human failing. Failure to provide for ALL poverty stricken malaysian, failure to rise about greed, failure of integrity. Etc.
Basing our arguments on race only paints us as bad a bigot as those we accuse. It only undermines the integrity of our logic.
But marginalization of any race in the economic and political spheres are fodder for extremists and cause deeper polarization.
...
but in times of distress, however mild, the disenfranchised and the disaffected will use race and/or religion as banners under which to unite against the Others.
I totally agree with you on that in general. However, what's interesting in this country (and the reason why Senior Minister Lee's use of the word marginalised wasnt correct) is that extremist violence from the "marginalised" minority isn't likely to happen. Actually, it's the reverse here, in terms of using race to unite against the minority.
So, why is our minority so apparently docile? It's been decades. Why hasn't violence by the minority erupted in the way it did in 1963?
Because our minority has developed a symbiotic arrangement within the restrictions of the NEP. The other approach was/is to migrate. The minority simply is more pragmatic than prone to violent demonstration.
Another reason? Our minority, on the whole, is better off economically than a large percentage of the majority. As I was saying earlier...extremism usually stems from economic deprivation/desperation.
Reverse affirmative action in the form of the NEP did minimise violence. Look at the cause of May 13. We're talking abt violence on the part of the majority...which is harder to handle than minority violence.
Affirmative action in its purest principle I think is necessary. Poor ppl just don't have the same opportunities as the middle or upper classes. Money does buy a lot of stuff...extra classes, books, food, etc. Without quotas and subsidies, it might be well impossible to access higher education.
I think affirmative action shd be applied to just education and only as a means of getting in. In order to STAY IN, that's where individual responsiblity/meritocracy comes in.
I wholly agree with you Shryh, it has to start with education. The problems in this country are systemic, reaching into every social institution. Change can only come over several generations, because people need to be re-educated to change.
And when I say education, I don't mean academics. It's about changing perspectives, how we view life and the ppl around us. Tolerance, open-mindedness.
As you very correctly point out, our education system has been politicised. And you know how politics in this country equates racialisation. And that brings me to my original point too...that racialising anything just causes that thing to stagnate or worse, regress.
Sorry WN....for hijacking your blog.
Spot: Hey, no worries! Like I said, this is all very interesting to me ;) *reaches for the popcorn*
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