SABM Youth Movement- Save our Beloved Malaysia

Dear fellow Malaysian,

Are you happy with the state of our country today? Is our country and
her people truly living up to their potential? What do you think of
Malaysian society today? Should “race” be a major factor in how
Malaysian citizens relate to each other? What unites Malaysians? What
divides Malaysians? Do you think Malaysia needs to change? Why or why
not? What are your dreams/aspirations for yourself? Your country?

Do you love Malaysia?

These are questions that are rarely asked of our country's youths. But
we believe that all of them have a burning answer deep within their
hearts. They may not feel at liberty to share it. Or they may feel
like even if they did, who would listen? So many of these hushed
voices go unheard. It's the greatest loss to our nation...

Well, not anymore.

We believe that the youth of our nation have outstanding opinions
about the contentious issues facing Malaysia today. We want our
nation's youths to know that they are NOT forgotten, forsaken or
frivolous. Because it is their passion that will revive the hope in
our nation to once again rise up and be a shining example to the world
for our peace and prosperity. And this will happen when the youth of
our country choose to stand up and speak out.

That's where BANGKIT comes in.

BANGKIT is a nationwide search for songs written by youths, for youths
and representing the aspirations of the youths in our country. We
believe that they deserve...no, they NEED to be heard. And we're going
to provide the platform for them in the language that speaks to youths
- music!

To prove the point that Malaysians DO care about their country, we are
putting this entire project together with NO MONEY AT ALL!

No money for salaries or allowances
No money spent on promotions/marketing.
No money spent on design.
No money spent on recording.
No money to hire talents.
No money spent on websites.
No money prizes
No money for prizes.
Tak ada, mei you, eelek, zip nada!

Impossible? Maybe...unless you and I decide to believe that it is NOT
IMPOSSIBLE. We can both step out in faith that this project WILL
succeed because there will be more than enough people stepping up to
contribute their time, talents, facilities and resources FOR FREE,
with no other motivation than their passion, creativity and love for
country!

Have we got your attention? If you are inspired and want to join us,
here are the details of BANGKIT:

MECHANISM
- A Bangkit blog will be set up for this event
- Teasers will be spread throughout the internet (March 15 – 31)
- Selections begin, demo cuts of compositions to be submitted in mp3
format (April 1 – May 15)
- Songs will be featured on the Bangkit blog for youths to vote on
their favourites (April 1 – May 31)
- Professional judges will select 10 songs from the 20 most popular
voted songs and results announced (June 7)
- A professionally recorded CD of the songs will be released within 3
months of final selection (Target to be launched in September)
- A concert featuring local artistes will be held to showcase the
selected songs (to be held either in November or December, in
conjunction with SABM's voter registration carnival)
- No prizes will be offered. Just recognition of participants' talents
and the chance for their song to be recorded.

PUBLICITY
- Primarily viral marketing through the internet (facebook, youtube,
twitter, blogs, websites, etc)
- Flyers and posters to be distributed to colleges nationwide
- Exposure through the Mass Media
- Email, SMS & MMS

WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Attach the ‘Bangkit’ posters/banners/videos to your blog or website
and make sure to link it to our blog. We will be releasing a series so
that it keeps fresh and exciting
- Tell everyone you know about this, through word-of-mouth, blogs,
facebook, twitter, email, SMS, MMS, etc. We need everyone in Malaysia
to know.
- Keep updated at our Bangkit blog or the SABM website.
- Put us in touch with people who are willing to contribute for free.

Please support us in our effort to bring the voices of our youth to
the nation and the world!

P.S. As this is still the pre-launch stage, please don't reveal too
much about BANGKIT yet. If you feel a need to explain a bit more about
Bangkit, just say something like something big is brewing in Malaysian
cyberspace and everyone under-30 should watch out for the announcement
on April 1st. We will be releasing more promos and information that
you can post as the official launch date (April 1) approaches.

If you need more information, please email: jombangkit@gmail.com.

For more info please check out our blog at http://jombangkit.org/

And please do feel free to pass this message to as many people as you
know.

Let's rock Malaysian together!

Regards,
Lai Chee Seng
Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia - Youth Outreach Project Team Coordinator

Race- Country or Me?

a malaysian Says:

January 29, 2010 at 8:26 pm HERE

If we want to criticise the government for its race based policies, it is only fair we also criticise our own race based mentality. To point the finger only one way is sheer hypocrisy. We have ALL contributed to the rot in some way – with our way of thinking, our actions, our words, our inactions, our apathy. None of us can claim to be innocent.

How many of us see ourselves as Malaysians first followed by our ethnicity? I think we all know the answer is not many. How many of us hold on to age old stereotypes i.e. Malays are lazy & stupid, Indians are untrustworthy & violent, Chinese are greedy & selfish? I think we all know the answer is quite a lot. How many of us then are willing to (to quote the late Michael Jackson) ’start with the man in the mirror and ask him to change his ways’?

Just as the government is guilty of playing us against each other, we are also guilty of playing ourselves up against each other. If Malaysia is to have any chance of a better future, we MUST change our mindsets. The old way of ‘every race for itself’ is NOT going to work. We need to see ourselves and each other as MALAYSIANS first and everything else a distant second. Then and only then will the wheels of change begin to turn. Until then we will remain stuck in the pit of quicksand that is the past, sinking lower with each passing minute.

There is still some hope left but my fellow Malaysians (yes, MALAYSIANS not Indians, Chinese, Malays or dan lain-lain), voting is just the tip of the iceberg. In the same way we’re all gung ho about getting people to vote, we need to get them (ourselves included) to think or rather re – think. The real change starts much sooner. In fact it starts right now.

“Be the change you want to see” – Gandhi

Setuju! Setuju!

Reply

Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia roadshow- Taking back our country

 

Yesterday, on the 23rd of January 2010, the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow came to KL, at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

I came, I saw, I went back Inspired...

and here is a summary of the event, to be completed tomorrow (today is 24th)and the pictures will be loaded in around the 26 when I have access to my own computer.

It has since been completed. Photos Tomorrow

PART 1

!!! There is an alternative to the “official warped version of our Nation’s Independence History”- Sepuloh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka- by Fahmi Reza!

 

Although I arrived at the screening 20 minutes late, here are my impressions

The message:

1) PUTERA-AMCJA fought for our independence as hard if not harder than our textbook version of UMNO-MCA-MIC coalition (UMMC)

They were more Left-Wing and thus The British picked the UMMC to lead instead.

There was an alternative Constitution for Malaysia and the Malaya’s people rejected the Reid Commission’s version through a nationwide “hartal”. A voluntary stop work protest involving the whole of peninsular Malaya. The Alternative Constitution was ignored by the British. It was better as it was written by the populace, much fairer, and just.

The Left-wing statesmen were silenced when their influence unsettled our colonialists. The silencing was done through the veil that was named “The communist Emergency” where 28000++ people were arrested and dibuang negeri etc for
 Being a communist
 Colluding with communists
 Involved in suspicious activities, communist sympathizers

In which over 10000 of those were Malays. The communist emergency was an excuse to remove these nationalists who were doing too good a job at awaking our sleeping populace about their rights and the colonialist’s wrongs.

2) The Mainstream Media- exactly like what we have today, have bootlicking policies and thus painted a bad picture of PUTERA-AMCJA. The Racist agenda have been subliminally planted by these ppl who claimed
 Chinese and Indian immigrants are only here for the ride- to grab what they can and send everything back home to China and India. NONE of them plan to stay so why plan our country’s constitution with them in mind
 That these immigrants, being here, stripped the “hujan emas di tanah Melayu” from reaching the Tempayans of the Malays… siphoned it away…
 The sowed mistrust, further consolidating the British’ ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. ( this policy ensures the 3 races will never unite, and without unity, the British will continue to rule with impunity)
 ( The British’s pre-requisite to allow independence was: Only if there was unity of the races—ahhhh, how ironic eh?)

3) Dato Onn’s attempt to Change UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) to United Malayans National Organisation which will enable non-Malays to enter.. did not receive support from the members, and he stepped down. (this was in our history texts, but was not significant when not interpreted in context)

These are some of the messages---

But the take home message: Learn about the True History of our Nation. Not the glossed over –snipped edges one

Comments:

Fahmi Reza is a first time director and his efforts must be commended. The Movie was interesting and the subtitles helped a lot. But the length and myriad of topics covered are not necessarily in chronological order and tends to confuse me. Maybe an edited short 5 minute version may pique the interest of the masses to see the full length version. 


PART 2

Human Beings, All born free and Equal

This part of presented by Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos and pastor Sivin Kit. (the name intrigues me to no-end and in fact I can’t get the name out of my head! What-the…)

 

Quotations from the Quran dominated Mr Jaha's presentation and while the content was clear, It did bore me-
I think part of it had to do with my discomfort and disagreement with Islam’s and Christianity’s holy scriptures that state that
- Their creator created earth and all beings on it for Mankind’s use- and we are entitled to use whatever we set our eyes upon, all the natural resources, all the animals are for our consumption. The Creator offered Animals to lead. But they declined, so mankind stepped forward and took charge instead.

Being an Agnostic, I disagree.
First, the concept that earth was ‘created’ is moot. Second, that we are stewards of mother earth and we have responsibility to care for it is not highlighted, instead, we are told to use all that we see.

Where lies prudence? Consideration for our progeny? Sustainability?
The environmentalist in me is considerably irked whenever I hear such statements
“ all flora and fauna are created for men’s use. “

ditto when The Selangor Department of Environment- Puan Che Asmah Ibrahim, gave her Keynote address during the See Green, See Life Environmental Carnival

Therefore I made my exit 10 minutes into the presentation to view the stands outside, only to comeback midway into Sivin Kit’s Presentation. His slide presentation was unique and technologically appealing, (note to self- must learn what programme was he using) but regrettably, I phased out and didn’t quite grasp the message.

Edit 27/1/10 His slides can be found here
After having a full look at his presentation, I find his slides very meaningful and it makes me regret not being there throughout. Thus I have removed my comments from previously

Comments


PART 3

Art Harun: Dispelling myths of the constitution (if does have another title, I think)

 

First we are enlightened on the principles of a constitution. (written here with my layman understanding of it)

 A constitution or Perlembagaan is a document of a country where all laws and ordinance are enacted with the constitution as a blueprint, as a template… A suitable analogy for the scientifically inclined is it is just as how proteins are encoded based on genes imprinted in our DNA

 Such a document is not static. It is not set in stone. It is subject to revision, to amendments, to fortifications, to repeals- by parliamental debate and voting. So far around 600 different alterations have been made to our constitution. It is intended to be revised, intended to be so by Lord Reid, by the British, by our Late Tunku

With that In mind, lets come to what Articulations Harun has to bring to the fore

A few Articles of the constitution are laid bare here

1) Article 153 – Special rights of the Malays and the Indigenous people
Where the rights are actually special positions.. to be looked after by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who merely acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. So when people claim debating the constitution (as in the Perak Constitutional crisis) is an ACT of TREASON or menderhaka, it is incorrect.

4 points of Article 153 is with regards to
 the giving of scholarships
 the placement in civil service
 the entrance to institutions of learning
 the giving of contracts and tenders

one key point to note here that the entrance to institutions of learning only applies to academic placements after MCE. That is, after SPM. So the MRSM system for Secondary school education where only a quota of 10% are given to Non-bumis entrance is contravening the constitution. So, should that be revised?

By questioning the suitability of the articles, we promote debate on whether such an article is still relevant in this day and date.. because the constitution was set up more than half a century ago. And as said before, It is intended to be revised. In fact, the British had in mind to repeal Article 153 fifteen years post independence, where they believed our Malay citizens have reached equal footing with the rest of Malaysians. That is by 1971 or 72, this article should have undergone revision and removed should it be appropriate.

Harun is of the opinion that now, almost 40 years after the intended date of revision, where our Malays have reached economic superiority…… why should the so called tuan Tanah still require protection, why are they thought to require crutches?

 

2) Article 11 (if not mistaken) Islam as the official Religion of Malaysia
Here, Harun shows that in no way should article 11 be interpreted to mean that Malaysia is not a secular state.

Islam is the official religion Malaysia means: It is the official religion for official ceremonies, for Islamic prayers to start begin during fuctions, for Islamic holidays to be national holidays, and many more interpretations, but all within this understanding.

No where does it say that Malaysia is a Religion based Country with Islamic Laws overseeing Common Law and all its peoples must profess one religion. That would be contravening article 12 (once again if not mistaken) that grants the right of religion to every citizen of Malaysia.

Many other people would be able to explain this better than I can but this is the gist of it.

The confusion arised because our dear Dr M told the Parlimentarians that Malaysia is an Islamic state and many jumped the gun to give fantastic spin to its interpretation.

Previously (and some say they still do) PAS was adamant on making Malaysia an Islamic Nation. As per the constitution it is not possible, but that doesn’t stop people from harping over it.

Comments:
(I’ll be taking off at a tangent here, skip this part if you want to stay on course )

I don’t really see what benefits one can gain, Islamic state or not. Civilian laws are quite adequate to police our peace. Syariah law may put some people off, but I for one, and I speak for myself only, favour Hudud laws. Chop the thief’s hand off and he is very unlikely to steal for the rest of his life.

Yes, yes you may argue its uncivilised, barbaric and such. But laws from western nations are not that perfect. Civilised laws did nothing to prevent school shootings to occur. On the other hand, School Canings and other forms of capital punishment, which our parents were brought up with, served the nation well.

Too many young children of today are much too sheltered and protected in bubble wraps that they grow up indifferent, unapologetic, demanding, materialistic and individualistic, if you ask me

note: I do have double standards. I don’t think Karthika deserve to be whipped. But I really hope snatch thieves can have some of their appendages separated from them. It may not be the answer to the root cause of the issue, but it certainly works as a deterrent.


INTERLUDES

Tea break: Observations
1) The food was tasty! I like the corn pudding very much!
2) A big Thank you to the organizers for choosing a caterer that avoids the use
of polystyrene. The white coffins are in my sights far too often.

 

3) The crowd didn’t mingle that much- hmmm, make that I didn’t mingle that much-
- I felt out of depth, somewhat shy because everyone seemed to know at least someone else in the crowd, me being an exception. There’s no need to be shy, I know- I’m not that shy actually but somehow I didn’t know how to start a conversation with this crowd. Felt I was too young and knew too little.

Musicians: 5 minute breaks serve to break the monotony; where a busker (street musician) and one of the Voter registrars (Danny) gave a political pop entertainment!

1) the musicians were obscured becaused they didn’t take centre stage. Literally, they were given a spot just at the left side of the hall where they were not very conspicuous.

2) the PA system experienced technical faults on both occasions… the audience were not captured in the first few crucial minutes so many left the hall during this interlude

3)The Drums Session:

 

I don’t know the name of the coordinator, but I met him once during a Jom Tangani Stress Carnival At Sekolah Menengah Taman Permaisuri passing percussion instruments into young hands and coordinating a fruitful musical session. He is back here today, apt at ‘making noise’ and making that racket tuneful!

 

This session was fun, somewhat too loud if you’re in the front ten rows, can’t see the performers that well if you’re beyond ten but it made at least 3 quarters of the audience stamp their feet or clap their hands! And just as the organizers intended it to be- it is a wake up session for the attendees! My ears rang for 10 minutes into the next presentation though hehe.

 

PART 4
Haris Ibrahim from the People’s Parliament

Haris Managed to drive the message home strongly, straight to the heart. I felt my heart sink, and saw an elderly gentleman take off his glasses and ran his arm beneath his brow…

Haris’ Title was Are we a nation in distress?
I say: "The Hell we are."

 

- We are the world’s laughing stock for so many reasons!
We’re at war over a single word.
We are caning a woman,
We lost two jet engines,
We’re buying decade old train carriages for astronomical prices,
We are now on the way to the international courts for debt on the loan of THE EYE ON MALAYSIA,
We could not accept Chin Peng, but open arms wide and gave almost state burial for the terrorist, Nordin bin Md Top
We’ve slipped off the ladder of transparency international, our ex-PM claims “a few” corrupt politicians have been given the boot by the current PM, but wouldn’t say who are the rest?

- Mat rempits are given offers to journey to the north pole and rehabilitated while our indigenous people are being trampled
- Our education system is going nowhere. We’re still debating on the medium of instruction, flippity-flappity-flap. Our graduates have no motivation nor direction in life.


- Religious harmony wise, after the cephalic bovine incident, we are now dealing with arsons, some idiots are stoking the fire by burning THEIR own place of worship

- The poor are poorer, the rich aren’t that well off, the very rich are moving their businesses overseas.. they claim its just too volatile here

- Our ministers claim that we have eradicated poverty. We have a poverty percentage of 3% country wide. But that’s based on the cut off point of RM760/mth. Jayanath recommended any family of 5 who survives on that paltry sum to be the advisor of our Economic Planning Unit.

 

 

Are WE not a nation in distress?

DID WE LET IT HAPPEN?
Haris drove the message that the state of the nation, all its failures, all its institutions’ failures (the police, the executive, the judiciary, the Elections commission, the civil service) are to be borne by us, its citizens.


When A. Kugan Died- with 1805 others in a span of 7 years (averaging at 23 deaths per month under police custody) we pointed fingers at the men in blue.

When Teoh Beng Hock Died we pointed our fingers at MACC

When PKFZ happened we point our fingers at the Public Accounts Committee, and so many others

When corruption occurs we point our fingers at the police, at the bureaucratic red tape, at the greedy officials…

We sought to distance ourselves from these events, saying:
“It’s their fault, not ours.”
“Those greedy pigs, only know how to fill their pockets”
“those ma-ta only want duit kopi and never catch criminals”

But the failure of the system is our failure. Why is it our failure?

It’s our failure to push for change
It’s our failure for not ensuring check and balance occurred
It’s our failure for giving duit kopi when we are arrested, instead of letting the law take its course.
It’s our failure to voice our dissatisfaction, to show that we, the people will take no more shit.

We gave up the chance to show that we the citizens care, we take notice and we will take the matter into our votes; when we did not join the Bersih rally, the Bar council March, The anti-ISA candlelight vigil…

If 200 000 gathered in a peaceful rally- (its enshrined in the constitution as a freedom of expression, provided it is done peacefully)
The authorities would certainly get the message that people are angry, that they can no longer act aloof as though nothing happened, that we are watching, that we will kick them out should they continue.

Here’s my imagination of a typical rally

People come in the hundreds, the FRU and police come with their batons and tear gas,
The people run, or they stand, but in the end they disperse, a few get arrested, maybe one gets charged in court. Should it be done on a weekday, the authorities will say don’t disrupt the economy, people will complain about traffic jams that occurred, Economic losses will exaggerated out of proportion and the PM will say” don’t la go rally, stay at home la and be good citizen”. The Mainstream media downplays the protest of 500 people into “50 ignorant troublemakers”


Now imagine a Ideal Rally.

On a Weekend, with a permit if possible, with a suitably titled agenda
“ We want ISA abolished”, for example

-People gather in the number of two hundred thousand, 200,000.
-(It’s not impossible- KL has the population of 1-2 million)
-All the police and FRUs will be outnumbered, in fact if the whole crowd stamped
their feet at once KL will experience a Richter 3.0 earthquake,
-The Lockups of the whole KL will not be able to fit 1% of the crowd
-The Magistrates will have a headache trying to charge 100 people.
-The Blogs and facebook and the internet will be a flurry of activity and the
mainstream media will be forced to report the truth as the evidence is too much to be
silenced.

In the end, the police and FRU stand and watch, the protesters get their message across. The politicians will be afraid, very afraid that the protestors will translate this action into votes come the next election-----

AND THEY WILL MAKE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW AND CONSTITUTION.

Should you think this is impossible, Think about the Everyone Connects event at Jalan Bukit Bintang just 2 months ago featuring the hit song ‘Through my Window’, by the group bunkface. Multiply the turnout by a couple of times, and we have a perfect rally.


PART 5: THIS IS MY HOME. I CARE. I WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER
JAYANANTH APPUDURAI

 

 

 

Mr Jaya brought the audience down memory lane into nostalgic café, he told us why he loves this country, and invites everyone to think of their children.



The take home message: “CAN/ DO YOU WANT TO TELL THE CHILDREN OF THE NATION THAT MALAYSIA IS A LOST CAUSE?

Part 6
Question and Answer

 

The Q&A session to me was very fruitful, and it lasted around an hour, if not for the time, 7.45pm, we could have continued on…. But we overshot the time by a whole hour, skipping the film screening of Gadoh

Everyone felt the roadshow was a success, but everyone chipped in to make it better

A question from the audience took everyone by surprise: “how did you all fund this?”
I guess that part escaped most of our minds …

the answer to that was, funds are only raised through donations and the sales of SABM merchandise- such as the T-shirts and badges.

So someone suggested “let’s get a donation box going!” and most chipped in generously.

Food for thought:
It seemed very appropriate when a member of the audience suggested it, but I’m not quite sure it would have been very nice if the organizers started passing the donation box around from the outset.

Some Questions and Suggestions exchanged

 

1) The medium of the roadshow should be in Bahasa or English? According to Mr Jaya, the organizers tried using Bahasa in Penang, and it did not work out too well.

I think a healthy mix of both would be fine. Since all screenings are subtitled, they are not a problem. Also, since the whole event is videotaped, SABM can store it in their website archive for people to download, and subtitled inserted where appropriate. That way, the topics discussed in coming roadshows can by dynamic and continuously evolving, since the public can refer to previous topics online, or through CDs.

alternatively, when the public registers for the roadshow, probably the organizers can ask them to include the preferred language medium- and they can adjust the presentation accordingly, at different localities.

2) The time- someone felt the whole roadshow was too long. It should be more concise, and to the point.

 

I THINK- each topic attracts different people - the length may be maintained, but have a thorough overview of each topic/ event of presentation and let the audience decide which particular event attracts them, and they can come for that.

That said, The Q&A session should be right after each presentation, with a review at the end of the day. Lumping it all at the end of the roadshow risks the presenter being not around, or the audience that sat for that event has already left.

Probably SABM can have a FAQ section on understanding MALAYSIA on their website too.

Having the recordings also solve part of the problem.

3) Another interesting question was: Can the Voter’s vote be tracked by the SPR?
The answer – IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. Haris himself found a polling officer scribbling something down when he was registering to vote, he confronted him and the guy tried to downplay it. Haris remained firm and said- “if its nothing, erase it now “

I THINK – many Aunties and Uncles fear for their safety, and Ricebowls. They are not assured that their votes are not tracked, and they do not know the consequence should it occur. I guess, “it should not happen” is not a good enough answer for many, as their concerns lie with “what if it does”. I don’t know the answer- and I’ll let the organizers answer this.

4) It appears this roadshow only appeals to the educated professionals, how can the roadshow appeal to kampong-folk, and would they be interested?

The panellists’ answer
- kampong folk may be more enlightened and brave compared to urban folk, and
Haris cited a very humorous example!
- They are going for roadshows all over the country, the next one- February 6 in Ipoh
- the public can help by urging their relatives, friends and colleagues to attend the
roadshows slated to happen in other parts of the country.
- if there is a kenduri/ wedding somewhere in Sekinchan/ Sungai Petani- try to gather round the community over there and do ask the organizers to make an appearance.. they will definitely try to make it there
- The audience can pass what they learned from the roadshow to their friends, and the campaign to “balik kampong bawa berita” must go on to enlighten the masses who have been brainwashed by the mainstream media. SABM and the bloggers will be coming up with printable articles that the public can bring home during festive seasons- this coming CNY is a good opportunity. Let the atuks and neneks read the articles from the MSM and the alternative source and make their own comparison.

I THINK- THIS IS GREAT! I have nothing to add :-)

5) “How to appeal to the masses.” “All the talk is great- but not all can relate the problem to their rice bowl and thus not many are keen to act”. -Others don’t know how to act.

 

The proposed solution offered by members of the floor - Make the presentation more related to the public’s everyday life- make the examples heartfelt, “it could happen to you”, relatable

For SABM to list down the 10 things for people to do- easy simple things that can help spread the message.

I THINK-
- 10 tahun sebelum merdeka did a good job of comparing the effect of the People’s Constitution in comparison with our current Constitution
- Interfaith Dialogues to follow up on the discussion on religion
- Art Harun’s discourse of the Constitution’s articles- how does it relate to our current issues.. why should we be concerned, what are SABM’s following up action- proposing an amendment to the constitution? This is a good time to garner support
- Haris Ibrahim told us that by supporting the rallies we are making a difference. Many Chinese (I feel ashamed for my brethren) are not willing to put their necks out on the chopping board, they try to avoid trouble… how to change this mentality? Is there any other way for the public to show their support for a cause… something more concrete than a petition but less ‘risky’ than a demonstration?
- Mr Jayanath- try to beef up the presentation so that many Malaysians feel the warmth of the country, that patriotism isn’t that demanding, that we can make things happen—give examples of things that we MADE HAPPEN, so that people are inspired. Once again- the Chinese have the tendency to abandon ship when there’s any signs of failure… utterly ashamed of this: How do I convince them that we are not a lost cause?
- Q&A: before the start of the Q&A: the Mc can probably recap the questions from previous roadshows, so the audience would be aware of overlap.

 

6) This will be my section on the whole event, probably some repeats what I have mentioned above, briefly

The Good:
 The event was a success! My estimated audience turnout was aroud 300 people
 The panellists were good! The content was good! We learnt a lot


The Bad
 The hall arena was air-conditioned, but just behind it, some members of the audience and some of the organizers smoked… that wasn’t very nice. My dad was wondering whether I have a newfound habit when he caught a whiff

How to make it better:
- More details on the content of the speakers, to interest the public
- Topics should have clear goals and objectives,
- Q&A should be after each event, with a concluding Q&A session at the end
- Based on this Q&A- an FAQ section can be posted on the SABM website, thus avoiding repeats
- The screen at the Chinese assembly hall was small, but most likely it couldn’t be helped.
- Depending on the location and venue- ushers may be needed to fill up the blank space
- The anti-ISA booth and voter registration booth was in a cramped position, also I don’t think the organizers had a choice
- Attendees really shouldn’t smoke in a non-smoking area
- To encourage people to vote- cite concrete examples on how important each individual vote is. Have simple calculations of “what could have been” in so many states? Let the voters do the math and know what influence and power they could have. I’m only one person- why should I matter is a mentality that must be tackled with in so many different issues- Global Warming, Recycling, Voting, Rukun Tetangga, Gotong-royong… Let everyone come up with suggestions on how to address this.



Finally I want to congratulate the organizers for doing such a great job!!
Thank you guys for giving your time, money and energy for such a noble cause.
It will not be thankless, and we will help see the effort through~
Because of you, MALAYSIA IS NOT A LOST CAUSE.

 

 

 

P.s- Let us all help to promote the subsequent roadshows!

Great Roadshow- Forum not to be Missed!

Think that our country is sinking?
That every other word is sensitive nowadays?
Think that something should and can be done?

Well, you're in luck coz

Saya Anak Bansa Malaysia is on a roll with another road show, This time in Klang Valley!

Topics and Speakers on the day include:

The founding of the Nation, The truth
Fahmi Reza, Art Harun

Human beings, all born free and equal
Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos
Sivin Kit

Nation in Distress?

Did we let it happen?
Haris Ibrahim

This is my home. I care. I want to make it better.
Jayanath Appudurai

In the tradition of SABM, do please bring along a friend of another race!

Date 23 Jan Saturday
Time 2pm

To register
Call 03-2095-0435 12pm-7pm
or email events@sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net

for more info, click here


Note the difference with between Jibby's 1Malaysia, here

if you ask me; One's an effort through the heart, another's a half-baked farce

This is just so beautiful .. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia :-)

After what transpired some time ago at Section 23 left a sour taste in our mouths...

I feel so glad to see damage control is actually underway... in the form of visiting the hindu temple in question by Haris Ibrahim and gang...

http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/the-beautiful-malay/

It just touches me that such a simple move in such a time can mean so much...

remember that the UMNO goons who orchestrated the protest that day... they never apologized. Not one bit. And no remedial action were done by them to ease the tension.. if fact they brought the tension up a notch by the uncivilised behaviour shown at the problem solving session held by the Selangor government to find a solution...

Let's leave that episode behind, and move on...

There are many beautiful Malays in our Midst... Haris Foremost, Zaid Ibrahim, hat's off to him...Marina Mahathir; a bow to her.....

and the many well mannered muslim folk who themselves divulged that...

"who are we to complain about the relocation of the temple?
We have our Azan five times a day and our neighbours take it in their stride while we protest over the chiming of the bells of the temple?
Do they not have rights too?"

This is the kind of attitude we need.. understanding, empathy and sharing... only then can there be hope for our beloved country... And that is the spirit behind the Saya Anak bangsa Initiative by Haris...

I can't say the same for the 1Malaysia thingy by Najib... its too frought with contradiction and irony...

Either way.. let us feel grateful that there will always be clear minded people in the midst of the confused crowd... let us follow their lead and make Malaysia a better place!

Happy Hari Malaysia come 16th of September!

Chinese: Loving PAS over UMNO anytime? Learn more about PAS? (Facebook)

This is a Note entry from my Facebook post which I forgot to put up :-)

____________________________________

UMNO is a communal organization- it used to strive for the betterment of the Malay Society.
Now it strives for the betterment of its members only, with the top crop clinching everything leaving only scraps for those in the lower rungs. UMNOputras gain shamelessly from the schemes that they plot however the large section of Malays are blinded into believing that UMNO is doing something for them when most of them are left exactly where they are 30 years ago.

PAS as a state government has been fair to all whereas the same cannot be said about BN governed states. Yup, we may see less progress from Kelantan but It is mostly because the Federal Gov. has withheld funds to the opposition state... much like what it did to Penang -- scrapping the Penang monorail project and draining out its funds...

Now, a moment to learn a little bit More about PAS

PAS has two bandwagons. The Erdogan and the Ulamas. The Erdogan, that Nizar belongs to wants to take PAS more to the centre and make it more multicultural, inclusive and even secular to a degree - with an emphasis on a welfare state. A welfare state vision and that of what the centre-left DAP wants is very similiar.

With Nizar, we further give power, credibility and confidence to the Erdogan bandwagon and also contribute to a stronger opposition. This is UMNO's worse nightmare: a more multicultural PAS that operates more from the centre. Mind you that operating form here, does not mean they have to leave behind some of their conservative values.

The Erdogan bandwagon of PAS realises that only with the support of the Chinese and Indians, can they ever be a viable alternative. Even many Malays middle class Malays have this similiar view, especially in developed states like Selangor and Perak.

Maybe we Chinese are more concerned about the restrictions on alcohol and gambling but really will it affect us as much as we think it will? It really isn't that bad... Just ask why the Chinese in Terengganu vote for PAS over BN. Hudud laws or not, generally we non-muslims are not affected.

I used to critical of PAS but Having seen what a credible leader they can churn out-- in the form of Nizar Jamaluddin... I'm starting to shift my allegiances!

At the end of the day my views may be too ideal, I may have too lofty a notion but then lets just have it as food for thought.

Ky. with help from anonymous...

Towards Racial Harmony

that's them sleeping together in the living room.. haha

Racial Politicking must stop.

It's just not feasible and extremely unhealthy for the growth of the country.

When I was small I supported the 'weighing-scales' for it symbolizes balance and harmony.

The older I grew the more I saw the truth behind the banners and flags.

Come elections I shudder at the sight of string and strings of political flags spread across traffic lamps and fences.

I was muddled....

Now past 21 it became more and more clear...

There is no best government- Barisan or Pakatan.
What we need is check and balance. No party should hold the reigns of the government for too long or else corruption and mismanagement will set in.

BN has been holding on for 51 years and counting. Yes there has been progress but recently the coalition has poised itself for a nosedive, a downward spiral even.
It is not a graceful loser. It isn't that great as a winner as well.

Post March 8 we have seen sour grapes in action where the Penang Monorail project has been shelved because it has fallen to the opposition.

We have seen how it corrupted the election machinery - The case of the indelible ink being scrapped at the very last minute.

We have seen how it has manipulated the media - The mainstream media

The English Media- TheStar and The New Strait Times
The Malay Media- Utusan Melayu (which is almost a subsidiary of UMNO berhad)
The Chinese media even - papers under MCA

where biased views and opinions; half truths and full lies rules the day
- Case in point The Teresa Kok - mosque issue.

Utusan has vehemently pointed all fingers at her for silencing the azan where the issue never arised in the first place. This fact has been clarified by the ulamas themselves clearing her of the accusation but Utusan continued the bombardment.

coverage of Issues which glorify BN are given front page news while the not so pretty side of things are hidden under the rug

Disparaging news about the opposition are splashed on the front page of all BN controlled newspapers. The recent one the departure of a PKR politician is the best example... on the front page of Sunday Star 28th December the blaring title states

RIFT IN PAKATAN

The BN manipulates the security forces, the police - Causing the diversion of the police's civil duties from crime prevention to pre-emptive strikes on the opposition and any dissident voices. Use of ISA on reporters, RPK, opposition politicians, the Hindraf.... Stopping peaceful events like the JERIT cycling campaign, candlelight vigils- approval of use of excessive force during 'enforcement' duties... allowing pro-BN activities to run amok....

the final Straw for me is when BN manipulates the people. Destroying racial harmony, creating ethnic tension by propagating non-existent issues-proclaiming that

Ketuanan Melayu is under attack while people like Raja Petra and Syed Husin Ali clearly stated that they themselves do not comprehend the term Ketuanan Melayu - its a mirage and it definitely isn't under threat.

However racial tensions are not the fault of one individual, group or party
This in one case where the all races are equally guilty..

We have to realise that No one is threatening no one- read Kaum Malaysia Tertindas

However, such problems are worsened by misinformation and purposeful misdirection
Read UMNO's real face

This must not continue- such Schemes benefit no one and we as Malaysians end up losing.

I want to live in a harmonious country. I want my chinese friends to be able to live
under one roof with Malaysians of all colours. These are my housemates in Laman Midah Apartments and we enjoy cooking dinner together, gossiping and trading naughty jabs... Can't the whole country be this way?





That's us practising physical examination on a stuffed cat





Another naughty photo I took of them, if not for our different sleeping times and if the hall was slightly bigger I would be sleeping in one of the blankets too!

Can't this be a common sight?

Let us please boycott acts that drive the wedge deeper.
Let us hold hands to pull out the thorns driven into us by politicians
Let us be free of prejudice and racial bias that indirectly our friends and parents fed us
Let us be open minded and accepting,
Let us attempt to understand and realise that red blood runs in all of us

By Reading news that are neutral - TheSun, Malaysiakini

By learning each other's language, traditions, customs, religion

By Realising that many politicians of today who are self-crowned Champions of race are actually renegades that betray the country and constitution

By Realising that you can speak up and by heard. By choosing your words well, by being neutral, theres so much you can change.

By opening your heart and mind to the truth. And the truth is we can cross the divide.



I may be an island in promoting racial harmony among friends, but I have not given up because I have someone to confide in and share my aspirations. If you are someone who loves this country and wishes for racial harmony, please join hands with me.

Arigato Gozaimasu

Worthy reads!- for Malaysia

http://acura86.blogspot.com/2008/08/unsung-heroes-of-merdeka.html

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/95309

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/95296

Please boycott the UMNO-backed newspaper UTUSAN for racial harmony! Peace
It's fanning hatred year round.


_________________________________________________________

I'm currently reading

March 8 the day Malaysia woke up- by Kee Thuan Chye

Ethnic relations- By Syed Husein Ali

And will give a review and summary after I gleaned d gems from the books!

Times when I am ashamed to be a chinese. -不管别人瓦上霜-

The title, I took from another person's post.

Cuz, reading it I sorta have a wake-up call... to see the uglies among the "yellow" people.

Indeed, the majority of us 自扫门前雪 . From what I see, most chinese will stop at the scene of an accident. But the sad thing is , it is only to oogle and to scout for the car number plate... and proceed to the empat ekor centre next.

Urbanites especially live with this attitude... being non-plussed, non-committal, practically being 'not-there'... just ask anyone staying in condominiums. Despite staying in my lot for 4 months I have yet to see the neighbour opposite me smile at me. Despite my many attempts at catching their attention. Often appearing extremely ridiculous as I prolong my entry time just to smile at them. To no avail. And yes they are chinese.

It makes me pine for the kampung life where everyone knows everyone and where
"ayam bertelur sebiji riuh sekampung" Because your problem is my problem and they will stick up for each other no matter for kenduri, gotong-royong or what not. This unity is so evident that I once heard comments from a driver

"If you bang anyone in a kampung, do not stop to help. Run for your life- before you know it the whole kampung will surround you".

My dad once experienced this. A malay boy peddling goods on his bicycle suddenly lost his balance while crossing the road and my dad stopped a few metres away just in time. Despite that a few kampung folk came round and knock on his driver side window and asked whether an accident happened. Really, It takes guts and nerves of steel to attempt a kidnap or robbery in a close knit community such as this.

anyway, I shall give way to the post, taken from http://antithesis2.net/?p=676

The row of houses where I live has seen, over the past 3 months:

* Car vandalism
* Snatch theft
* Attempted kidnapping

I’m not sure how to describe the place I live. It wouldn’t be referred to as particularly affluent, I think. But what I do know, is that the area just East, 40 seconds walking distance from my front gate, is a playground which is a popular mat rempit hang out, and behind that, is SLUM. We have a Neighbourhood Watch (”NW”), and it has tried to be active. Put up speed bumps, arrange for a couple of security guards, and so on. But it’s hard to get everyone involved.

Late last night, we were awakened by an insistent doorbell ring. Constantly, for 30 seconds. As if someone was really trying to tell us something. I leapt out of bed.

When I peeped out the window, I saw was my neighbour, a middle aged, but beautiful lady, of mixed Malay-Chinese descent. She was clad in a black flowing batik dress, clearly her sleeping clothes. She walked briskly up and down a row of about 7 teenage boys, frantically gesturing at my father’s Mercedes. Her 24 year old daughter walked up and down the road, furiously.

I alerted my father, and he demanded his glasses. He also asked my mother if she could go in his place, and grumbled that he would be far more comfortable in bed, as it wasn’t his car anyway. Well, guess what? It was. Ian went out the door halfway, but realized he was wearing The Holiest Shirt and went back in to change. Ian and my dad reached outside at the same time. They took 5 minutes.

When we reached outside, there were only a few other residents. The beautiful lady’s entire family (herself, husband, son and two daughter) and the old Reverend and his wife. My father (the Treasurer of the NW) had just arrived. The Chairman of the NW was nowhere to be seen, even though it had taken place outside his own house.

I am upset, that my father (who is a fairly big man, only 2 inches short of 6″) asked my mother, his wife, a tiny lady who is only 5″, to go in his place.

I am upset, that my dad, and to an extent, Ian, take 5 minutes to get ready for an emergency. It should be 5 seconds. What will we do in a real emergency?

I am upset, that an old Reverend and 2 women were left to call the police, scream at the boys, and round them up.

I am upset, that our row of houses are occupied 80% by Chinese. Only 15% of them were seen that night. The Indians’ and the Punjabs’ entire families arrived on the scene. It was the Malay family who called the cops and furiously went to round up the boys.

When the attempted kidnapping and the snatch theft occured, the Indian family came running out with baseball bats. The Punjabs were there immediately. The 19 year old Malay girl, in her furor, even chased the snatch thieves. Of course, everyone was worried sick during her 10 minutes disappearance. But it shows how brave she is. I don’t care, you can call it stupidity or whatever. But to an extent, I admire that kind of bravery.

A small, very small, percentage of Chinese people care about society. As a result, we are not adequately represented in the police force, army or politics. Fine, we have businessmen. And perhaps, for every 100,000 businessmen, there may be one policeman, or politician.

But there is an unquantifiable value to that one policeman or politician, and that is something, perhaps, that we have to think about.

end of post.

Hopefully we will learn to be more friendly and be real neighbours for a change. We are in need of a fresh injection of -Spirit of Muhibbah-.

The real history of Bumiputras. Wow.

An excerpt Comment from the blog KTemoc Konsiders
An anonymous film maker researched an enormous amount of information before reaching this conclusion.

If you remember one comment of mine in the post Eco Film Fest I mentioned about the true bumiputras... It seems I am Wrong too! there are no real bumiputras!!!
well this is somewhat tedious but really very eye-opening.

This has nothing to do with race or religion. Peace!!!
Just an anthropological research into what is a very real misnomer.
I am living with 4 Malays! will post on this very soon! :-) and we're one big happy family!

I thank the anonynomous writer for his research and hardwork but he did not leave his name in the blog so I apologize for copying without permission. Anyway, here goes

been interesting to read such free-flowing comments on the subject of the Origins of the Malays. While we are on the subject, how many of you have read the book entitled "Contesting Malayness - Malay Identity Across Boundaries" Edited by Timothy P. Barnard published by Singapore University Press?
Written by a Professor of National University of Singapore. It reflects the Anthropologists views that there is no such race as the "Malays" to begin with. If we follow the original migration of the Southern Chinese of 6,000yrs ago, they moved into Taiwan, (now the Alisan), then into the Phillipines (now the Aeta) and moved into Borneo (4,500yrs ago) (Dayak). They also split into Sulawesi and progressed into Jawa, and Sumatera. The final migration was to the Malayan Peninsular 3,000yrs ago. A sub-group from Borneo also moved to Champa in Vietnam at 4,500yrs ago.
Interestingly, the Champa deviant group moved back to present day Kelantan. There are also traces of the Dong Song and HoaBinh migration from Vietnam and Cambodia. To confuse the issue, there was also the Southern Thai migration, from what we know as Pattani today. (see also "Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsular")
Of course, we also have the Minangkabau's which come from the descendants of Alexander the Great and a West Indian Princess. (Sejarah Melayu page 1-3)
So the million Dollar Question... Is there really a race called the "Malays"?
All anthropologists DO NOT SEEM TO THINK SO. (strangely, this includes all Malay Malaysian Anthropologists who are of the same opinion.)
Neither do the "Malays" who live on the West Coast of Johor. They'd rather be called Javanese. What about the west coast Kedah inhabitants who prefer to be known as "Achenese"? or the Ibans who simply want to be known as IBANS. Try calling a Kelabit a "Malay" and see what response you get... you'll be so glad that their Head-Hunting days are over.
In an article in the Star, dated: Dec 3rd 2006
available for on-line viewing at:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/3/focus/16212814&sec=focus
An excerp is reproduced here below:
"The Malays – taken as an aggregation of people of different ethnic backgrounds but who speak the same language or family of languages and share common cultural and traditional ties – are essentially a new race, compared to the Chinese, Indians and the Arabs with their long histories of quests and conquests.

The Malay nation, therefore, covers people of various ethnic stock, including Javanese, Bugis, Bawean, Achehnese, Thai, Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak and descendants of Indian Muslims who had married local women.
Beneath these variations, however, there is a common steely core that is bent on changing the Malay persona from its perceived lethargic character to one that is brave, bold and ready to take on the world. "
The definition of "Malay" is therefore simply a collection of people's who speak a similar type language. With what is meant by a similar type language does not mean that the words are similar. (A native Kelantanese native speaker has no clue whatsoever what his Iban native brother is talking about; if both speak their own dialect) Linguists however, call this the "Lego-Type" language, where words are added on to the root word to make meaning and give tenses and such. Somehow, the Indonesians disagree with this "Malay" classification and insist instead on being called "Indonesians" even though the majority of "Malays" have their roots in parts of Indonesia. They refuse to be called "Malay"…. Anyhow you may define it.
The writer failed to identify (probably didn't know), that the "Malay" definition also includes, the Champa, Dong Song, HoabinHian, The Taiwanese Alisan and the Philippino Aetas. He also did not identify that the "Orang Asli" are (for lack of a better term) ex-Africans. If you try to call any one of our East Malaysian brothers an "Orang Asli", they WILL BEAT YOU UP! I had to repeat this because almost all West Malaysians make the same mistake when we cross the South China Sea. Worse, somehow, they feel even more insulted when you call them "Malay". Somehow, "kurang ajar" is uttered below their breath as if "Malay" was a really bad word for them. I'm still trying to figure this one out.
Watch "Malays in Africa"; a Museum Negara produced DVD. Also, the "Champa Malays" by the same.
With this classification, they MUST also include the Phillipinos, the Papua New Guineans, the Australian Aboroginies, as well as the Polynesian Aboroginies. These are of the Australo Melanesians who migrated out of Africa 60,000yrs ago.

Getting interesting? Read on...
"Malay" should also include the Taiwanese singer "Ah Mei" who is Alisan as her tribe are the anscestors of the "Malays". And finally, you will need to define the Southern Chinese (Southern Province) as Malay also, since they are from the same stock 6,000yrs ago.
Try calling the Bugis a "Malay". Interestingly, the Bugis, who predominantly live on Sulawesi are not even Indonesians. Neither do they fall into the same group as the migrating Southern Chinese of 6,000yrs ago nor the Australo Melanesian group from Africa.
Ready for this?
The Bugis are the cross-breed between the Mongolian Chinese and the marauding Arab Pirates. Interestingly, the Bugis, (just like their Arabic ancestors) were career Pirates in the Johor-Riau Island areas. Now the nephew of Daeng Kemboja was appointed as the First Sultan of Selangor. That makes the entire Selangor Sultanate part Arab, part Chinese! Try talking to the Bugis Museum curator near Kukup in Johor. Kukup is located near the most south-western tip of Johor. (Due south of Pontian Kechil) He is more than willing to expound on the Bugis heritage. Buy him lunch and he can talk for days on end. Let's not even get into the Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekiu, and Hang Lekir, who shared the same family last name as the other super famous "Hang" family member... Hang Li Poh. And who was she? Legend tells us that she is the Princess of a Ming Dynasty Emperor who was sent to marry the Sultan of Malacca. Won't that make the entire Malacca Sultanate downline "Baba"? Since the older son of the collapsed Malaccan Sultanate got killed in Johor, (the current Sultanate is the downline of the then, Bendahara) the only other son became the Sultan of Perak. Do we see any Chinese-ness in Raja Azlan? Is he the descendant of Hang Li Poh? But wait a minute....

That's what legend says. Let's look at the proof. The solid evidence. There is a well next to the Zheng He Temple in Malacca which is supposed to be the well built by the Sultan of Malacca for Hang Li Poh. According to legend, anyone who drinks of it shall re-visit Malacca before they die. Hmmm smells like a romantic fairy tale already. But let's look at who Hang Li Poh actually is. Which Ming Emperor was she a daughter to? So I got into researching the entire list of Ming Emperors. Guess what? Not a single Ming Emperor's last name begins with Hang. In fact, all their last names begin with Tzu (pronounced Choo). So who is Hang Li Poh? An Extra Concubine? A Spare Handmaiden? Who knows? But one thing for certain, is that she was no daughter of any of the Ming Emperors. Gone is the romantic notion of the Sultan of Malacca marrying an exotic Chinese Princess. Sorry guys, the Sultan married an unidentified Chinese commoner.
Next question. If the Baba's are part Malay, why have they been marginalized by NOT BEING BUMIPUTERA? Which part of "Malay" are they not? Whatever the answer, why then are the Portugese of Malacca BUMIPUTERA? Did they not come 100yrs AFTER the arrival of the first Baba's? Parameswara founded Malacca in 1411. The Portugese came in 1511, and the Dutch in the 1600's. Strangely, the Baba's were in fact once classified a Bumiputera, but some Prime Minister decreed that they were to be strangely "declassified" in the 1960's. WHY? How can a "native son of the soil" degenerate into an "un-son"? The new classification is "pendatang" meaning a migrant to describe the Baba's and Nyonyas. Wait a minute, isn't EVERYONE on the Peninsular a migrant to begin with? How can the government discriminate? Does the Malaysian Government have amnesia?
The Sultan of Kelantan had similar roots to the Pattani Kingdom making him of Thai origin. And what is this "coffee table book" by the Sultan of Perlis claiming to be the direct descendant of the prophet Muhammed? Somehow we see Prof Khoo Khay Khim's signature name on the book. I'll pay good money to own a copy of it myself. Anyone has a spare?
In pursuing this thread, and having looked at the history of Prophet Muhammed (BTW, real name Ahmad) we couldn't figure out which descendant line The Sultan of Perlis was. Perhaps it was by the name Syed, which transcended. Then we tried to locate which downline did the Sultan descend from of the 13 Official Wives of Prophet Muhammad named in the Holy Koran? Or was the Sultan of Perlis a descendant from the other 23 non-wives? Of the 13 Official Wives were (at least known) 3 Israeli women. Then you should come to this instant revelation, isn't Prophet Muhammad an Israeli himself? Yes, the answer is clear. All descendants of Moses are Israeli. In fact, the Holy Koran teaches that Moses was the First Muslim. Thus confirming all the descendants of Moses to be Israeli, including Jesus and Prophet Muhammad. But since this is not a Religious or a Theological discussion, let's move on to a more anthropological approach.
So, how many of you have met with the Orang Asli's (Malaysian Natives)? The more northern you go, the more African they look. Why are they called Negrito's? It is a Spanish word, from which directly transalates "mini Negros". The more southern you go, the more "Indonesian" they look. And the ones who live at Cameron Highlands kinda look 50-50. You can see the Batek at Taman Negara, who really look like Eddie Murphy to a certain degree. Or the Negritos who live at the Thai border near Temenggor Lake (north Perak). The Mah Meri in Carrie Island look almost like the Jakuns in Endau Rompin. Half African, half Indonesian.
Strangely the natives in Borneo all look rather Chinese in terms of features and facial characteristics especially the Kelabits in Bario.
By definition, (this is super eye-opening) there was a Hindu-Malay Empire in Kedah. Yes, I said right… The Malays were Hindu (just like the gentle Balinese of today). It was known by its' old name, Langkasuka. Today known as Lembah Bujang. This Hindu-Malay Empire was 2,000yrs old. Pre-dating Borrobudor AND Angkor Watt. Who came about around 500-600yrs later. Lembah Bujang was THE mighty trading Empire, and its biggest influence was by the Indians who were here to help start it. By definition, this should make the Indians BUMIPUTERAS too since they were here 2,000yrs ago! Why are they marginalized?
The Malaysian Government now has a serious case of Alzheimer's. Why? Simply because, they would accord the next Indonesian who tomorrow swims across the Straits of Malacca and bestow upon him with the apparently "prestigious title" of the Bumiputra status alongside others who imply have inhabited this land for hundreds of centuries. (prestigious, at least perceived by Malays) They also have a strange saying called "Ketuanan Melayu" which literally transalates into "The Lordship of Malays" The Malays still cannot identify till this day "who" or "what" the Malays have "Lordship" over. And they celebrate it gallantly and triumphantly by waving the Keris (wavy knife which has Hindu origins in Borrobudor. Ganesan is seen brandishing the Keris in a bass-relief sculpture.) during public meetings over National TV much like a Pagan Wicca Ceremony on Steroids. Let's all wait for that official press release to see who the "Malays" have Lordship over, shall we?

Of the 3 books listed, "Contesting Malayness" (about S$32 for soft cover) is "banned" in Malaysia; you will need to "smuggle" it into Malaysia; for very obvious reasons.... :( or read it in Singapore if you don't feel like breaking the law. Incidentally, the Professor (Author) was invited to speak on this very subject circa 2 yrs ago, in KL, invited by the MBRAS. You can imagine the "chaos" this seminar created... :( Fortunately the FRU was not called in.
The other, "Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago, and the Malay Peninsular" (about RM84) are openly sold at all leading bookshops; Kinokuniya, MPH, Borders, Popular, Times, etc. You should be able to find a fair bit of what I've been quoting in this book too, but mind you, it is extremely heavy reading material, and you will find yourself struggling through the initial 200+ pages. It is extremely technical in nature. Maybe that's why it hasn't been banned (yet)…coz our authorities couldn't make head or tail of it? (FYI, if I weren't doing research for my film, I wouldn't have read it in its entirety)
The "Sejarah Melayu" (about RM 50) however, is freely available at the University Malaya bookshop. I have both the English and Royal Malay version published by MBRAS. Alternatively, you could try reading the Jawi (Arabic Script) version if you are truly a sucker for unimaginable pain...... (may feel like circumcision)
There are actually many sources for these Origins of Malays findings. Any older Philippino Museum Journal also carries these migration stories. This migration is also on display at the Philippines National Museum in Luzon. However, they end with the Aeta, and only briefly mention that the migration continued to Indonesia and Malaysia, but fully acknowledge that all Philippinos came from Taiwan. And before Taiwan, China. There is another book (part of a series) called the "Archipelago Series" endorsed by Tun Mahatir and Marina Mohammad, which states the very same thing right at the introduction on page one. "… that the Malays migrated out of Southern China some 6,000yrs ago…". I believe it is called the "Pre-History of Malaysia" Hard Cover, about RM99 found in (mostly) MPH. They also carry "Pre-History of Indonesia" by the same authors for the same price.
It is most interesting to note that the Malaysian Museum officials gallantly invented brand new unheard-of terms such as "Proto-Malay" and "Deutero-Malay", to replace the accepted Scientific Term, Australo-Melanesians (African descent) and Austronesians (Chinese Descent, or Mongoloid to be precise) in keeping in line with creating this new "Malay" term.. They also created the new term called the Melayu-Polynesian. (Which Melayu exists in the Polynesian Islands?) Maybe they were just trying to be "Patriotic" and "Nationalistic"… who knows…? After all, we also invented the term, "Malaysian Time". While the rest of the world calls it "Tardy" and "Late". It's quite an embarrassment actually…. Singaporeans crossing the border are asked to set their watches back by about a 100yrs, to adjust to "Malaysian Time"…
In a nutshell, the British Colonial Masters, who, for lack of a better description, needed a "blanket" category for ease of classification, used the term "Malay".
The only other logical explanation, which I have heard, was that "Malaya" came as a derivative of "Himalaya", where at Langkasuka, or Lembah Bujang today was where the Indians were describing the locals as "Malai" which means "Hill People" in Tamil. This made perfect sense as the focal point at that time was at Gunung Jerai, and the entire Peninsular had a "Mountain Range" "Banjaran Titiwangsa", as we call it.
The Mandarin and Cantonese accurately maintain the accurate pronunciation of "Malai Ren" and "Malai Yun" respectively till this very day. Where "ren" and "yun" both mean "peoples".
Interestingly, "Kadar" and "Kidara", Hindi and Sanskrit words accurately describe "Kedah" of today. They both mean "fertile Land for Rice cultivation. Again, a name given by the Indians 2,000yrs ago during the "Golden Hindu Era" for a duration of 1,500yrs.
It was during this "Golden Hindu Era" that the new term which the Hindu Malay leaders also adopted the titles, "Sultan" and "Raja". The Malay Royalty were Hindu at that time, as all of Southeast Asia was under strong Indian influence, including Borrobudor, and Angkor Watt. Bali today still practices devout Hindu Beliefs. The snake amulet worn by the Sultans of today, The Royal Dias, and even the "Pelamin" for weddings are tell-tale signs of these strong Indian influences. So, it was NOT Parameswara who was the first Sultan in Malaya. Sultanage existed approximately 1,500yrs in Kedah before he set foot on the Peninsular during the "Golden Hindu Era" of Malaysia. And they were all Hindu.

"PreHistory of Malaysia" also talks about the "Lost Kingdom" of the "Chi-Tu" where the local Malay Kingdom were Buddhists. The rest of the "Malays" were Animistic Pagans.
But you may say, "Sejarah Melayu" calls it "Melayu"? Yes, it does. Read it again; is it trying to describe the 200-odd population hamlet near Palembang by the name "Melayu"?(Google Earth will show this village).

By that same definition, then, the Achehnese should be considered a "race". So should the Bugis and the Bataks, to be fair. Orang Acheh, Orang Bugis, Orang Laut, Orang Melayu now mean the same… descriptions of ethnic tribes, at best. So some apparently Patriotic peron decided to upgrade the Malays from Orang Melayu (Malay People) to Bangsa Melayu (Malay Race) Good job in helping perpetuate the confusion. And since the "Malays" of today are not all descendants of the "Melayu" kampung in Jambi (if I remember correctly), the term Melayu has been wrongly termed. From Day One. Maybe this is why the Johoreans still insist on calling themselves either Bugis, or Javanese til today (except when it comes to receiving Government Handouts). So do the Achehnese on the West coast of Kedah & Perlis and the Kelantanese insist that they came from Champa, Vietnam.
Moreover, the fact that the first 3 pages of "Sejarah Melayu" claim that "Melayu" comes from Alexander the Great and the West Indian Princess doesn't help. More importantly, it was written in 1623. By then, the Indians had been calling the locals "Malai" for 1,500 yrs already. So the name stuck….
And with the Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals in page 1-3) naming the grandson of Iskandar Zulkarnain, and the West Indian Princess forming the Minangkabau. Whenever a Malay is asked about it, he usually says it is "Karut" (bullshit), but all Malayan based historians insist on using Sejarah Melayu as THE main reference book for which "Malay" history is based upon. The only other books are "Misa Melayu", "Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa", "Hikayat Pasai", "Hikayat Raja-Raja Siak" and "Hikayat Hang Tuah" among others; which sometimes brings up long and "heated" discussions.
Interesting to note is one of the great "Malay" writers is called Munsyi Abdullah; who penned "Hikayat Abdullah" He was an Indian Muslim. Let's re-read that little bit. He was an Indian Muslim. How can an Indian change his race to be a Malay? He can change his shirt, his car, his religion and even his underwear, but how can anyone change his race? This must be The New Trick of the Century, which even David Copperfield will pay lots of money to watch (and perhaps learn).

"Mysterious Race Changing Trick"- created by The Malaysian Government.
Still, Malaysians are still only second to the Jews (who by the way, are the only other people in the world who are defined by a religion) So perhaps David Copperfield has yet to learn a few tricks on the mass deception skills of the Malaysian Government?
Malaysia Boleh...

I find this strange.
I also find, that it is strange that the "Chitti's" (Indian+Malay) of Malacca are categorized as Bumiputera, while their Baba brothers are not. Why? Both existed during the Parameswara days. Which part of the "Malay" side of the Baba's is not good enough for Bumiputera classification? Re-instate them. They used to be Bumiputera pre 1960's anyway.

Instead of "Malay", I believe that "Maphilindo" (circa 1963) would have been the closest in accurately trying to describe the Malays. However, going by that definition, it should most accurately be "MaphilindoThaiChinDiaVietWanGreekCamfrica". And it is because of this; even our University Malaya Anthropology professors cannot look at you in the eye and truthfully say that the word "Malay" technically and accurately defines a race.
This is most unfortunate.

So, in a nutshell, the "Malays" (anthropologists will disagree with this "race" definition) are TRULY ASIA !!! For once the Tourism Ministry got it right….
We should stop calling this country "Tanah Melayu" instead call it, "Tanah Truly Asia"
You must understand now, why I was "tickled pink" when I found out that the Visit Malaysia slogan for 2007 was "Truly Asia". They are so correct... (even though they missed out Greece, and Africa)
BTW, the name UMNO should be changed to UTANO the new official acronym for "United Truly Asia National Organization" . After all, they started out as a Bugis club in Johor anyway….
I told you all that I hate race classifications…. This is so depressing. Even more depressing is that the "malays" are not even a race; not since day one.

"Truly Asia Boleh"

"No point fighting for Nothing"

May Allah Swt Bless all of Us!






http://ktemoc.blogspot.com/2006/01/real-cause-of-may-13-riots.html

Anas Zubedy- Forward Thinker, Uniter of Races, a Wholesome Man, And Single Too!

Below my comment, is an article Published in the Star in 1996.

I can't help but agree with him in so many areas, In particular, the suggestion that each National School student learn one more language other than his/her own mother tongue,English and Bahasa Malaysia. And by other language I mean Tamil/Chinese, not Exotic languages like French, Japanese, Korean; which my friends in Secondary school felt extremely cool to learn. Yes, learning a foreign language is fun and 'cool' but then is it practical save for bragging rights? Why not learn a language of our fellow brethren? Chinese students can learn Tamil and vice versa; the Malays stand to gain the most because they have the opportunity to learn 2 major languages without ever needing to step out of the country!

I believe, It is impossible to learn a language without understanding the culture behind the language... and thus, forging good relations and unity within our country would be so much easier to do! It's such a lovely concept and I'm stupefied by the fact that this never came across my mind. If only the Minister of Education hears this recommendation... I can't help but admire Zubedy's Insight. To think that he envisioned such a novel concept in the year 1996!

And this is his article...
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2008/11/transcription-of-1996-star-interview.html

Anas Zubedy is a 32-year –old consultant in change management. He speaks Bahasa Malaysia, Hokkien, English and a smattering of Tamil.

“When i was three years old, my family shifted to Fettes park, a predominantly Chinese area in Penang.

“For years we were the only Malay family in the area and by the time I was five, I was proficient in Hokkien.

“In fact, i can say that Bahasa Malaysia is my first language, Hokkien my second followed by English. I mean, outside the house i grew up like a Chinese kid. I played with the other Chinese kid and mingled with them a lot.

“Later, i even had the chance to experience the Indian way of life. This was when i was in standard four. I become friend with a new classmate, an Indian, and being close to him, i naturally spent a great deal of time at his house. It was then that i absorbed the Indian culture.

“For example, i remember reading about Hinduism in his house. I also learn to call his grandmother pathi and, during Thaipusam, i joined in the celebration by dancing with the Indians. I practically became one of the family.

“Sometimes my mum would return to Medan (Sumatra) and that’s when his mum would cook Indian food for me.

“I was fortunate that the situation was such that it allowed me to be exposed to more than one cultural setting. I learn so much about cultures other than my own. More than that, I learn to respect them.

“There are so many benefits we can derive from this. For instance, in business we can learn to think Chinese and at home we think Malay hospitality.

“Placed in a global situation, we should fare better than homogeneous societies for we have the experience of working with various kinds of people.

“We must see multi-racial Malaysia as an opportunity for creating universally oriented men and women who would, one day, take centre-stage in leading the world.

“But in order to achieve this kind of unity, Malaysians must first understand and accept two things: First, we have to understand and appreciate the fact that the Malays gave away what they called “Malay land” (tanah Melayu) and shared it with the other ethnic groups like the Chinese and Indians, so much so that they have created a new entity called Malaysia.

“Secondly, since 1957, the non-Bumis have accepted and made this country their country. So from now onwards, whether we like it or not, a new race called Bangsa Malaysia has come into being.

“Efforts in building unity must start at the earliest age possible. Parents must ensure that their own personal biases are not filtered down to their children.
“The school too plays a vital role in uniting all Malaysians. In the long run, it would be wiser and more beneficial to open all boarding schools like Mara, ITM, and Maktab Sains to all races.

“The current national school system integrates the Chinese, Tamil and Arab schools under one roof. The ideal situation would be if the national school caters to those who desire to learn their mother tongue. It would be even better if we make it compulsory for all Malaysian to learn a language other than English and their mother tongue.

“For example, a Malay student should learn either Mandarin or Tamil as a second language. I think the Malays are presently on the losing end. The Chinese or Indians know at least three languages, but most Malay knows only two.
“Barisan Nasional’s efforts towards creating a single multi-racial party should be our next step. I believe most Malaysians would find it attractive if there is a direct membership to BN without having to go through UMNO, MIC or MCA. Perhaps after Wawasan 2020, UMNO can stand for United Malaysian National Organization.

“At the end of the day, the more towards national unity should come from within each and everyone of us. Every individual in this country must be aware that he or she plays a vital role. We should not unite due to political or economic reasons but because we truly desire to be one nation.

“The Muslims must also remember that the “Al-Quran preaches ummah wahidah, the concept of one single community. As this country is led by Muslims, this would be a great opportunity for them to practice this concept.”

End of article! Is he great or what?

Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) Views

If Religious extremists would only read this.... Yes an interfaith forum would do much good...... Realize that we cannot accept what we do not understand...

No matter what religion it is... Its the people who practice it who are giving problems because of their myopic vision of their own religion... HAve an open mind and promote understanding! Here's a really thought provoking and neutral article! Hard to come by these days!

Overcoming religious sensitivity
IKIM VIEWS by MD ASHAM AHMAD

Restraining people from knowing and understanding the environment in which they live is akin to reinforcing ignorance, which is the root of fanaticism and racism.

WE OFTEN hear, from time to time, political leaders reminding the public not to discuss certain issues because these are ‘sensitive issues’. This reminder usually comes with a warning that, in order to maintain peace and security, stern action would be taken against those who disregard that caution. Still, it has not stopped people from talking and discussing.

To be sensitive about something implies that one easily becomes offended or emotionally upset. So, to classify a subject or an issue as ‘sensitive’ means to acknowledge that it needs to be dealt with ‘carefully’ because it is likely to cause disagreement or make one angry or upset. Considering the history and demographic background of the country, it is a matter of prudence to classify religion as a sensitive issue and to proceed with great care.

It is, however, not prudent to let society remain in that state forever. We cannot actually let the people of this country continue to remain sensitive forever when it comes to religion because religion is part and parcel of human life, and our country is host to almost all major world religions.

It is senseless to restrain people from the urge to know and understand the environment in which they live. It is akin to reinforcing ignorance, which is actually at the root of fanaticism and racism. Instead, why don’t we make discussion concerning religion something interesting, enjoyable, and beneficial to all?

Of course this is not easy to do, but we have no other option. We must somehow take the effort to overcome religious sensitivity because in the long run it is counter productive, as well as dangerous, to restrain discussion on religion.

We have been independent for more than 50 years, and despite all the odds we have achieved so many things together. No right-thinking citizen of this country would wish to see what we have painfully built destroyed by our own hands due to misunderstanding.

To understand and to be understood we need to talk. If we do not talk about religion how are we going to understand it, and make others understand it? How are we going to eliminate misunderstandings about it, and differentiate truth from falsehood?

The need to talk is even greater today in a world where access to information is almost unlimited. Like it or not, there are ongoing discussions concerning so many pertinent issues.

However, we are constantly reminded by our leaders that what matters most in this country is peace, and there is fear that open discussion about religion represents a threat to this peace because the fear is that it would bring about discord and hatred.

Is this fear genuine? Or is it only what some people would like us to believe? Maybe we should re-examine our notion of peace, and clarify what we actually mean when we say we want peace.

It is true that everybody wants to live in peace; in fact, even animals desire peace. But our understanding of what peace is all about must not be limited only to what is external to our existence.

There is also what is more fundamental and personal, namely, peace of mind. There cannot be true peace without the peace of mind and tranquillity of the soul. Nobody can experience peace of mind as long as there is agitation in the soul as the result of doubt concerning the most basic questions surrounding life.

Peace of mind has to do with certainty concerning the nature of ultimate reality, namely, about the nature and purpose of our existence, about God, about the world, and about what constitutes virtues and values.

Why don’t we talk about these questions openly and freely so that people will benefit from it? These are actually questions that could be discussed without offending anybody. People would like to know about the truth advocated by every religion so that they understand the fundamental differences between religions and why there are differences, so that comparisons can be made.

This, if done properly and sincerely, will encourage research and the exchange of ideas, and the final result would be knowledge and understanding.

What we may term as ‘senseless sensitivity’ owes its root to ignorance, and the worst ignorance is ignorance concerning the truth about life, which is the cause of fear; and fear is antithetical to peace. It is indeed senseless to remain ignorant about the true answers to the basic questions of life, and to simply follow what one happens to inherit from one’s forefathers.

Ignorance is the first enemy of Islam. For all Muslims, to seek knowledge is not only the first and foremost obligation, it is a life-time endeavour. Since every Muslim is responsible for his own deeds and will be held accountable to God, he should know what his responsibilities are and to whom he will be held accountable.

Muslims are used to talking about their religion and holding discourse with others about the fundamental problems of life. They have developed the tradition of ‘kalam’, which literally means ‘speech’ or ‘discourse’. It is interesting for us to ponder the reason for referring to this science as kalam.

One of the indications that one truly knows about something is one’s ability to talk about it in a meaningful or logical manner. Kalam is based on the principle that knowledge concerning the fundamentals of religion is attainable through the systematic application of rational principles.

One of the basic questions discussed by Muslim theologians of the past is the status of faith (iman) of one who follows or accepts religious dogmas without proof. They questioned the validity of faith without knowledge. The strictest opinion holds that blind following on matters of faith is unacceptable; the person who does so is in reality an unbeliever.

The assumption is that one cannot possibly have faith with regard to what one is ignorant of. Hence, to seek evidence or proof and the condition of its validity is prior to iman. ‘Taqlid’, which means blindly following or accepting a doctrine without any proof or evidence of its validity is categorically rejected.

At least one must have proof adequate enough to remove any doubt, proof that is referred to as general proof. The amount of proof needed is however subject to the individual’s ability and the problem he faces.

The point is, from the very beginning Muslims were aware of the need to articulate their faith in a precise and logical manner, and in the same way rebut opinions and doctrines which were contradictory.

They were not afraid of challenges to their faith. On the contrary they sat down and listened to arguments, agreed on certain points and disagreed on others. This was what they used to practice, as part of their religious and intellectual tradition.

As such, Muslims have an important role to play, and a huge responsibility to shoulder. They must show a good example to other communities because it is through their actions and behaviour that the non-Muslims owe their perception of Islam. Since they are the majority and are in charge of the affairs of the country they should behave in a mature manner particularly in dealing with criticism.

Criticism against certain conduct of the Muslims must not be construed as criticism against Islam. It is possible that the criticism is due to their own disregard and ignorance of the true teachings of Islam. This point is reflected in the recent controversy surrounding the Muslim call to prayer.

What is lacking is knowledge, and if this is sincerely admitted as our shortcoming, we have to do something about it.