What is wrong with our race relations?

abROcadabRO is in fact, struggling to pinpoint the trigger that affect the race relations in the country which has gone from bad to worst.

Of course, abROcadabRO is not “meraba-raba” (squeezing buttocks like JJ) but finding out and analyzing what has gone wrong with the race relations.

What could have been so wrong that the race relations is so tensed – everybody has become so ultra-sensitive towards comments made by another race, without looking from its objectivity?

What could have been so wrong that comment made by someone is interpreted as taking a swipe at another race?

What could have been so wrong that statement made by someone about any issue is taken as an attack on another race?

What could have been so wrong that all the major races in the country have become so defensive, to the extent that comments or statements made are seen as attacks towards one race?

Consider these situations:

• In order to regain the Malay support, Ahmad Ismail called the Chinese “kaum pendatang” during the Permatang Pauh by-election. Definitely by playing up the racial sentiments, one could have garnered the support from your own race.

• A non-Malay touched on the inequality of the NEP, the Malays become so defensive – threatening the non-Malays not to challenge the “Ketuanan Melayu”. A non-Malay challenged the Malays’ 30% equity, the Malays felt threatened by saying, “This is our land. You’re just a “pendatang”. You don’t like, you get out. We’re the “tuan”.

• Tan Sri Khalid appointed a Chinese as acting general manager of PKNS, the Malays protested, saying that PKNS was for the Malays and carried out some "spiritual activities".
  While the Malays protested against the appointment of a Chinese as PKNS acting general manager, the Chinese fought back tit-for-tat.

• A non-Malay questioned the quota for the Malays in public universities, the Malays jumped from their seats, shouting “We’re the bumis. You’re not. We’re entitled for more. You take only what’s leftover”.

• When Keyveas questioned some Malay rights, Ali Rustam said, “If you don’t like it, get out of this land”. Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam wrote about the election of Barrack Obama, a black to the US Presidency, and Rejal Arbi and Jebat_Must_Die lost self-control, insinuating that Ramon was a racist.

• When a non-Malay claimed of unfair treatment, the Malays gave him an ultimatum, “Take it or leave it. Don’t ever question our “Ketuanan Melayu”.

• When a non-Malay claimed of being marginalized, the Malays resorted to threatening words such as “Don’t forget your roots. This is not your land. You just “menumpang” here”.

• When a non-Malay questioned the conduct of certain Malays, the Malays gave him a stern look right in the face with the message, “We’re the “tuan”. You’re the “coolie”. So shut up and just follow”.
  

Why has race relations deteriorated?

Many people may have their own views but abROcadabRO would attribute the situation to Umno's doing.

Why? Because the Malays feel threatened that their monopoly on (power) politics has started to dwindle since the last general election when the oppositions managed to capture 5 states in Peninsula Malaysia.

Why? Because the support (from the Malays) for Umno was diminishing as Umno was not interested in running the country but the leaders at all levels were (and still are) so engrossed in enriching themselves and their cronies that they forget how to run the government (to regain the support from the Malays, what other issue to play up if it’s not racial issues?).

Why? Because Umno's leaders are known to be arrogant, self-centred, highly corrupted, insensitive, and gangster-type.

Why? Because Tun Dr Mahathir, in his effort to cling on to power, had knowingly or unknowingly, introduced the unwanted and unhealthy into Umno (money politics, cronyism, nepotism etc).

Why? Because Tun Dr Mahathir, wanting to extend his influence on Umno, had chosen a lame duck as his successor.

Why? Because Pak Lah is such a lame PM who can’t even control Umno, let alone the country - thus giving rise to heavy politicking among Umno leaders, the emergence of many political warlords, the emergence of the so-called “4th Floor Boys” who, in their quest to fulfill their own needs, had crossed the lines.

Why? Because Umno is a party that breeds corruption to the fullest, that another 100 years may not be enough to completely weed out this disease.

The situation has now become so critical that anybody who opens his mouth on any issue, is attacked and accused of being racist. Everybody has become so defensive. Everybody is accusing others as racists. Why is it so?

During Mahathir's rule, "I'm a Malay. You're a Chinese or Indian" things were subtle. Since Pak Lah took over, things came to the open; and became worst since the beginning of the end of Umno in the GE in March 2008.

The only way out – for the time being is to practise the politics of restraint - restraint from making comments or statements, saying anything about other races.

Let's see what the experts have up their sleeve with the upcoming Race Relations Acts.