Today, I feel like I do not belong

Fa Abdul

 | September 17, 2015

Why was the hatred that was spewed at the rally met with silence? Why did the Malay leaders not speak out against it?

COMMENT

A few weeks ago, while my friends and I were having a late supper at a mamak place in Jalan Ipoh, an elderly Malay gentleman in his 70s invited himself to our table. He then congratulated us on being ‘friends’.

“It is such a rarity to see people of different races having gatherings such as this,” he said as he shook our hands and took some time to get to know each of us.

My friends and I found it pretty amusing. We didn’t see anything unusual about us hanging out together. I mean, we do lots of things together all the time – we put on theatre shows, we handle acting workshops, play board games, celebrate birthdays, go on holidays, have potlucks and cookouts, watch movies, enjoy karaoke sessions… we even find comfort in each other when a shoulder to cry on is greatly needed.

While it was nice being applauded by the Malay gentleman for holding on to the Malaysian spirit, I thought it was kind of sad to have someone congratulate you for having friends of other races. I mean shouldn’t this be the norm in a country which takes pride in its multiracial status?

Today I finally understand the Malay gentleman’s surprise at the closeness he observed between the multiracial group he came across sharing a meal at the mamak shop. Maybe, we were never meant to be together after all.

As I browsed through reports on the Red Shirts gathering, and watched the video clips of what transpired and what the protestors and spokesperson of the rally had to say, my heart sank.

“Enough is enough. This is our land. Menjadi warganegara bukan bermakna kita ada hak bersama. Pendatang is pendatang. Babi is babi.”

The people I saw preaching those words weren’t people who had been dragged over and paid to say such things. They seemed like intelligent people. They seemed like my peers. They could have been my neighbours and my colleagues.

If educated young Malay folks had such strong hatred for the non-Malays, I fear for my future in this country I call my home.

But why? What have I done wrong to be treated in such a despicable way? Is it my fault that my ancestors weren’t Malay? Is it my fault that I have Indian blood running through my veins?

I have been a good child to my motherland all these years. And I can’t put into words how much I love and treasure my Malaysia. But today I feel like I do not belong here.

I used to believe that my Malay friends were the real Malays while those inciting hatred were puppets under the influence of others. But today as our atmosphere filled with so much hatred, my world came tumbling down. I did not see anyone standing up for me.

While some of my Malay friends ridiculed the Red Shirts Rally and some posted pictures with hashtags #IamMalaysian, the rest remained silent. As for me, I tried very hard to crack some jokes on social media to take my attention away from what the rally had turned into. But after a few attempts, I couldn’t keep it up. It had gotten to me.

The thing is, if only the Malay leaders who had been so opposed to the Red Shirts Rally, would have uttered a few words to console our bleeding hearts, it would have made a difference. It would have been much appreciated. If only my Malay friends had offered words of comfort to ease our troubled minds, instead of joking about images of Air Asia stewardesses dressed in red…that would have meant a lot.

I find myself wishing they had been a little bit more sensitive. Is that too much to ask?

All my life I have been proud to be Malaysian. All my life I have been confident that if I was hanging on a cliff, my Malaysian brothers and sisters could be counted on to give me a hand. Today, I am not sure.

In my 40 years of life, I have contributed to this country and its people in so many ways. I have raised my two children to love this nation and to contribute to society when they are capable of standing on their own two feet. I have even written articles calling those who abandoned this country for another as unpatriotic. But today, I ask myself if I was wrong all along.

Maybe this isn’t my country. Maybe I do not belong here. Do I sound bitter? Trust me, it’s nothing compared to how I feel inside.

For what it is worth, thank you Malaysia for putting me in my place.

Original Artilce : Today I Feel Like I Do Not Belong (Clickable Link)

10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka

Found this very interesting documentary over youtube, thanks to a good friend of mine. 

For those Malaysian readers out there, I think spending some time watching this enlightening documentary about Malaysia is worth while. For me, it definitely opened up many doors and insights about the country I thought I knew via history books. 

I think it is time, time for Malaysians to make a change.

BN and UMNO getting more and more racists.... Why should Malaysians then vote for you?

Feeling extremely angry and pissed. Went online and saw many people debating and posting this article entitled  : ‘Go to India’, Umno woman tells Bawani

After reading that article, it really makes me wonder..... why would any non Muslim (aka Chinese, Indians, Christians etc) would ever want to vote for them? I wonder do they even know that.... majority countries are actually having free education and not only just Argentina, Cuba or even India.... Actually, I am amused that Malaysia, boasting of being such a modernize country etc doesn´t even have such a basic necessity like free education. And yet you want everyone to "kau tao" and worship the floors you walk on?! 

We are moving towards and onwards from the 21st Century, but yet, somehow Malaysia seems to be going backwards instead of forward. How can that be? Isn´t it something for the citizens and the authorities to ponder upon? Stop pointing fingers and putting the blame that other people, especially the western world, are people who are heartless and cruel and not from tradition? I think, personally, after touring around Europe and staying in Europe myself, that the western world - Europe - actually soaks up and has more culture, tradition and history compared to Malaysia. They also know the value of appreciating people. So wonder who is the backwards one?

Stop tarnishing the western world or any part of the world other than Malaysia with our "Malaysian beliefs", especially when you haven´t even seen the world. Open your eyes and see the world and stop being a racist.

Enjoy reading the article ....... 

‘Go to India’, Umno woman tells Bawani

K Pragalath

 | January 16, 2013

Norhayati Saiddin claims that Indians are demanding too much even though they did not know the existence of toilets while living in the estates.

PETALING JAYA: The critical comments of a Wanita Umno member regarding law student KS Bawani is causing a stir.

In her Facebook posting, Norhayati Saiddin wrote: “Deii Bawani.. kalau mau pendidikan percuma tanggechi pergi ler belajar sana India… you mother land.. sana tanggechi boleh dapat pree… ammakk!!” (Bawani… if you want free education, go and study in India, your motherland. There you can get free…)

“Untung lorrr… dulu India banyak duduk estet… itu jamban pun lu orang tarak tau… sekarang India org banyak mahu sebab itu BN ada perintah ini negeri.” (It’s a privilege.. before Indians mostly lived in estates. They didn’t even know toilets. Now Indians have a lot of demands that is why BN rules this country.)

Norhayati’s Facebook also had a photograph of her posing with three other Wanita Umno members at a function.

Some people who found her comments offensive took a screen capture of the statement and Facebook and tagged her to the photo.

One Facebook user Tajol Ariffin Omar questioned the need for Indians to vote for Umno candidates following such offensive comments.

“It is Umno members’ mentality. Indian voters do you still want to vote for Umno?” Tajol wrote and posted a photo which read: “Umno then, now and forever racist”

The photo was also shared in various Facebook group pages such as “1,000,000 Chinese don’t want MCA to represent the Chinese.”

Bawani had become an overnight sensation went a video of her being reprimanded by a pro-government NGO leader went viral on the Internet.

I found a very interesting article, that made me really pissed off about the government of Malaysia. Government and rulers of Malaysia....... ruling and earning a Minister´s salary.... can afford properties all around the world, especially in the Europe continent..... and there they go saying that they didn´t "steal" the citizens money using dirty work. I wonder why nothing is being done to people like this, and ........ why should the citizens of Malaysia continue voting for a government that is so greedy, selfish and dont know how to behave?

For a direct link :
Umno Leaders and London Properties

Umno leaders and London properties

Luke Rintod

 | November 30, 2012

It a known fact among Malaysians in the UK that senior Umno leaders own an extensive array of properties in London.

LONDON: There is no doubt that Umno leaders are filthy rich. In fact, word here is that almost all senior federal leaders in Umno are so wealthy that they own multiple properties in central London.

Not surprising, their spendthrift ways and that of their children have been making the news for a while.

Malaysians living in London have been privy to this information for decades and view it with repugnance and shame.

They are surprised that despite the dazzling light on the unusual wealth accumulated by government ministers which is displayed in their purchase of numerous properties around the world, their brazen hypocrisy elicits little comment back home.

Malaysians living here claim a former top Umno leader is linked to over a thousand properties in various parts of central London. Most of the properties are in the Canary Wharf areas.

“We know for a fact of this Umno guy who owns 1,400 properties in London. He is filthy rich… very, very rich. He even has a new wife now,” said one Malaysian who has been residing here for the last 20 years.

He told FMT that politically-aware Malaysians in London do keep tabs on these Umno leaders, while the Umno leaders in turn are aware that their properties in the United Kingdom are no secret at all to Malaysians residing here.

“We know some of their kids are studying here and we know where they live and what they do. They may be Muslims but they drink and they flirt a lot here, something that they dare not do openly back home, but who cares when they are here,” the London resident said.

Political rot

He said that it was a known fact that many Umno national leaders, both present and past, are rich and own properties around the world, including here in central London.

“The [federal] ministers own at least a few properties in London. Once in a while they do visit their houses or in some cases their children and family stayed while on study or holidays here.”

Asked if he could provide evidence of his claims, he said it was no secret here and that some of them have been caught on camera and the photos had made their way onto social media sites.

Another Malaysian residing here, who also requested anonymity, claimed that Sabah and Sarawak leaders also own properties in various places here either under their own names or their family members.

“How can they afford it? With just a minister’s salary they could not be this rich… they own properties everywhere in Europe.

“We also know of one who have bought properties even in Argentina.

“He could be preparing for himself to live in Argentina if Umno loses at the coming general election to Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.

The fact that Malaysians outside the country are mortified by the wealth of their nation’s leaders should be a reminder to delegates at the ongoing annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur that what they consider non-issue speaks volumes about how deep is the political rot in the country.

Don’t question non-Malays’ citizenship

This is very interesting.... my first post.. in my new blog... and I find such an interesting article to share with all of you........ Don´t know why... but reading this.... as a citizen of Malaysia all my life, I feel a bit tad... worried now... to their ´revoking´ our citizenship... -.-

However, read on.....

Published: Wednesday February 3, 2010 MYT 12:51:00 PM

Don’t question non-Malays’ citizenship: Dr M

By IZATUN SHARI

PETALING JAYA: The citizenship of non-Malays in the country should never be questioned, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said there was a provision in the Federal Constitution stating that while Malays were the indigenous people, non-Malays had their right to citizenship.

“That should not be questioned. We cannot banish our citizens now. The Constitution provides that you cannot take away citizenships,” he told reporters after opening the Malaysian Liver Foundation building at Ara Damansara here on Wednesday.

Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on the allegedly racist remarks made by special officer to the Prime Minister, Datuk Nasir Safar, during a 1Malaysia seminar in Malacca.

Nasir allegedly made some remarks about Indian and Chinese Malaysians being “immigrants” when referring to these communities and their feedback on certain government education policies, and he also allegedly threatened to revoke their citizenship.

“This is a very bad statement to make. Even if it’s true, we don’t say things like that. These people have been here all these years. They are in fact the descendants of the people who came here. They have not just arrived,” Dr Mahathir said.

He said that Malaysian citizens would remain citizens until they declare otherwise when they take up the citizenship of another country.

“In some countries, you can banish your own citizens, throw them into an island or somewhere; but here, we cannot do that. Once they are citizens, they will always be citizens until they themselves declare that they are not,” he added.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s office on Tuesday said that Nasir would tender his resignation over the incident and that his remarks did not reflect the views of the Prime Minister in any way.

It also said that Nasir apologised for any offence caused.

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