Khoo Kay Peng from the think-tank Sedar Institute tips the opposition to win just 5-10 new seats, with the government losing the support of the ethnic minorities but retaining Malays, who make up 60 percent of the population.
He said there is a risk the outcome would emphasise the ethnic divide in Malaysia, which is desperate to avoid a repeat of past bloody racial conflict. (This part was added by the writer who is a Mat Salleh lady). I have since written to AFP on this.
My statement to them on AFP website:
I wish to flash your attention to an article which carried my interview with your correspondent in Malaysia.
She quoted my as saying:
Khoo Kay Peng from the think-tank Sedar Institute tips the opposition to win just 5-10 new seats, with the government losing the support of the ethnic minorities but retaining Malays, who make up 60 percent of the population.
He said there is a risk the outcome would emphasise the ethnic divide in Malaysia, (which is desperate to avoid a repeat of past bloody racial conflict) - this part was added by the writer and not part of my conversation with her.
"The election results could project a very polarised Malaysia because the non-Malay communities are dissatisfied. Some of them will vote against the government and that swing will be interpreted as anti-Malay sentiment towards a Malay-led government," he said.
Please print a correction on your part.
AFP replies:
Dear Sarah,
Some readers reacted by accusing of playing up the May 13 issue and fanning a possibility of racial riots should BN loses its 2/3 majority. Although, the election may lead to a perceived polarisation I do not personally a repeat of full scale racial clash is possible.
Best,
Kay Peng
Sarah STEWART
Dear Mr Khoo
I’m sorry to hear you have an issue with the story.
What exactly is the element you’re referring to – is it the bit you have in brackets?
That part, separated from your comment by a comma, is merely background information on Malaysia . I would think that this is something entirely undisputed, and that everyone would agree the country is trying to avoid racial conflict. Your comment before and after was much more interesting.
Could you be so kind as to clarify what the problem is? Thanks a lot
Sarah
"The election results could project a very polarised Malaysia because the non-Malay communities are dissatisfied. Some of them will vote against the government and that swing will be interpreted as anti-Malay sentiment towards a Malay-led government," he said.
I maintain that unless we put a stop to racial politics, the outcome of the election will be a polarised one. My post on 2008 = 1986? explains a number of reasons why I think this election can be a polarised one.
Although sentiments in the cities are quite bad for the ruling coalition, majority of Malays in these areas are not registered voters. The outcome of the election will give us a perception that Chinese and Indian Malaysians are not happy with a Malay-led government which practiced dicriminative policy against them.
However you felt about my other comments, it is a reality that a huge number of Malays believe that UMNO protects their rights. Their dependency on UMNO is high. This is a success of UMNO's racial politics.
Hence, I do not think there will be a major swing of Malay votes against UMNO-led BN in the coming elections. In a way, it will be seen as a polarised election.
May 13th is outdated. I shared this with a journalist, Sharon, from The Edge Daily who interviewed me on Saturday. Malaysians do not buy that is still possible for the same racial conflict to happen without invoking greater disaster on the entire country. We are living in an interconnected world.
The Mat Salleh journalist from AFP will not get another interview with me. That is for sure.
11 comments:
I am not sure the intention of the foreign correspondent is merely giving her holistic view based on historical facts or just adding some comment to spice up reading. It takes one to be in the country to have the authority to comment on how the political evolvement here. Racial tone strategy has always to the advantage of UMNO and it seems like will remain for the time being. However to say that we risk disaster as a result of racial violence conflict is of narrow intepretation. There's so much at stake for UMNO elite if they decide to allow disharmony in the country. The modern day Malays have got a big chunk of the economic pie if one were to make reference to Malay equityship in the KLSE although they will deny that GLCs do not belong to this category. Already there's two Malay billionaires in the top ten richest Malaysian list and it looks like there's more ambition to come after their dominance in the political arena.
Only two Malays in the top ten and Malays constitute over 60% of the population. What if in UK or the US only two of the majority whites in the top 10, what would happen?
In UK, the richest persons are non UK whites. Mittal, an Indian steel magnate is the richest. No problem.
In US, those whites who made it to the top are very innovative and competitive e.g. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, the Walmart family etc...
In Malaysia, particularly, we are talking about potential racial conflicts and people running amok. Got my point?
Want to become rich? Work hard and smart, for goodness sake!
I am still in a daze why the Malays didn't get into the Top 10 wealthy list initially since those protector of Malay rights has always been advocating the bumiputera status as the origin habitant or son of the soil.
Neither can understand why a given chance by Malay majority board to run our Universities didn't put it a global envy for others.
I can't comment on the whites dominating upper affluence in the USA since I am only of concern of my own country. Neither can I reason why would the whites want to support a black like Obama to win?
Simple my dear Watson, Malays have different values, money is not god. If left unchecked the chinese will find ways to pollute the environment, effect all kinds of corrupt practice,do all illegal business etc. just to make money. this is typical way of chinese business be it it in china, US or UK to name a few. They are in a hurry to make money for money sake.
Huh, you cant even answer right the comments from the above anons and you call yourself a think tank , I think it should just be empty tank.
Of course you not want to publish this comment because you know that you are evil
I don't think the foreign correspondent misquoted you, just that your body language is spelling out the prejudice in you - don't beat around the bush just say that you hate the Malays and we understand.
Yes, I am publishing your comment. It is precisely people like you in UMNO which makes other right thinking Malaysians wanting to vote out your candidates in the coming election.
Your candidate will be trounced in Permatang Pauh and will mark a return of a resurgence Anwar.
You and your UMNO chauvinists are arrogant, too arrogant to run this country.
Please say more about the Chinese Malaysians and I will publish this statement on my blog. Lets see if your other brothers can survive this election.
I dare you!
I do not hate Malays who equally suffered the act of nepotism and corruption practiced by your party. I pity them and support them wholeheartedly.
That is why I would like to call on them to vote your party out. So that it will wipe the arrogance out of your face. Watch it mate!
About the just 2 in the Top 10, it is not that important ... what is important is the way you conduct business and your contributions to social responsibility ...
please bear in mind, to this 2 persons, every single sen [dime or cent] they make is accounted for and they have to answer for it ....
it is just a trust for their time on earth ....
for all the money this 2 people have, there portions of it that they hold in trust for the poor, needy, House of Treasury {baitul mal] ,and many other responsibilities ...
they are supposed, as with all other Muslim entrepreneurs from the petty traders to the conglomerate owners, just exchange of goods and services .... and with proper intentions ....
and usury [riba] must be far and distant if not oblivious from their minds what more their intentions ...
different worldview to what you have been taught at Warwick or elsewhere ..
Dear anon,
I am not a business man and I do not agree with businessmen whether they are chinese, malay or indian using any illegal and immoral method to do conduct their business. Like you I agree that businessmen must be accountable for their earnings and revenues.
For your ignorance, a number of businessmen of all races do contribute to the poor by donating to schools, community, hospitals and welfare funds.
Like some recalcitrant chinese and indian businessmen/and lawyer (VK Lingam), some Malay entrepreneurs are guilty of corruption, nepotism and illgotted money. This is the part where you show your racial chauvinism.
It does not matter what I was taught in Warwick, it is definitely more balanced and less racial than what you have been taught.
Abolish NEP? There's no reason to do so unless we want to review the citizenship of the especially chinese whom the Malays generously confer. No other country in the world are so generous to give en masse citizenship to immigrants 50 years ago. Try enter 'democratic' USA now demand citizenship and see if you dont get your butt shot at! So pl understand the Malays before you through your tantrum.
Ohh.. we only say chinese and not indians because indians are already talking to india and UK taking them back - its ok for us.
Btw what is Warwick's standing amongst UK varsities? If its not in the top 10, pl don't bother to reply
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