Time to Go Beyond the Old Taboos (Farish Noor)

Over the past weeks since the Rakyat have voted for a stronger Opposition force in Dewan Rakyat (82 Opposition MPs) and handed over 4 State Governments (Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor) to Barisan Rakyat (DAP-PAS-PKR), many issues surrounding the choice of leaderships were surronding on the race and religious background of the Parties, Leaders, and Representatvies. While the Rakyat have chose to move towards a "Malaysian-Malaysian" Malaysia through their votes, these recent dramas have shown negative and disappointing scenes.

From the Chief Minister in Penang, to the appointment of Menteri Besar in Perak, and now the Deputy MB and the number of State EXCO in Selangor DUN, the leaders in the Nation are still restraint by the race and religious background of the individuals in the appointments. Instead of performance, talents and ideology, the "kaum" element still supercedes the earlier which are more important in the selection of leaders and representatives.

"We need a new Malaysian politics that would breathe new life and faith in the political system, and where all of us – mainly on the basis of our universal citizenship – can claim to be stakeholders in the nation-building process."

Dr. Farish A. Noor, a renown writer and commentator has recently published an article "CMs, DPMs and PMs: Time to go beyond the old taboos" commented on this matter with great awakening message to the Rakyat and the Leaders. Read the article at http://www.othermalaysia.org/content/view/167/52/. Mandarin version available at Merdeka Review http://www.merdekareview.com/news.php?n=6317.

Double Standards Police

PENANG : UMNO STREET DEMO

Yesterday, 500 Penang UMNO members and supporters went on street demonstration at Komtar to protest against new Penang CM Lim Guan Eng's recent statement on abolishing the New Economic Policy (NEP). They were "allowed" to went on the street to air their grievances over the policy that only benefited the UMNOputras, rather than all Bumiputras.

SELANGOR : UMNO STREET DEMO

Also, 100 believed-to-be UMNO members and supporters also went on street demonstration with the Banners "Kerajaan Baru Selangor - Boneka Kepada DAP", "Terhapus DEB-Melayu Merempat Di Bumi Sendiri" and "Tahniah Melayu DAP Yang Berjaya Hapuskan DEB" around Shah Alam State Mosque yesterday. There were "allowed" to have this demonstration even though the banners were clearly racist and may jeopardise racial harmony.

POLICE : DOUBLE STANDARD

Despite of all these illegal, unlawful and racist demonstration, none of them was "welcomed" by water gun or tear gas. None was detained, none was charged, none was claimed to be terrorist, and none was locked up under ISA. They were given the "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom to Gather" without permit despite of racial remarks were made.

While BERSIH made up of Rakyat from all races and various organizations including NGOs went on street last November to ask for clean and fair election, hundreds of roadblocks were setup and thousands of FRUs welcomed the Rakyat with tear gas and water gun.

When HINDRAF went on street to ask for basic rights as citizens, the Government caught many, detained the leaders under ISA, and even claimed peaceful Malaysians in HINDRAF as terrorists without evidence and lawful hearings.

Police working for the Rakyat or the UMNO?

"Freedom of Speech" allowed for all Rakyat or only UMNO members?

NEP benefiting only UMNOputras should retained?