Aarvidi’s Weblog

‘Barisanputras’ getting it all, not bumiputeras

This is a monumental letter to be written and in a way pinpoints what malady the Malaysians are suffering from. It is timely and requires deep analysis and reason.

The opposition is all out to capture the non-Malays vote, pointing out a hundred reasons why they have been overlooked in the development of the country, education, jobs, promotions, religion, higher education etc etc. This gives the impression the Malays are fully, I repeat fully enjoying the fruits of development of this country. This is a fallacy. PKR banners talk about increase in toll, petrol and consumable goods, PAS goes on Muslim sentiments, but the main defect has not explained. The Malays are slowly being strangled out of the benefits due to them. Felda benefits, civil servants benefit, and these are pittance to what the Malays are losing out. Not all Malays are beneficiary of Felda or civil servant grants.

Yes, the children get scholarships, enjoy discounts on houses, get Government jobs and so forth. The non-Malays grumble the Malays get privileges, the NEP is for them, contracts,opportunities in government ventures all go to them. The NEP was formulated to help the Malays get in par with the non-Malays. It helped, there are more professionals now in the country compared some years back. But all this misses the point. Not all the Malays are rich, the equitable distribution of wealth to the Malays is a myth.

The Barisanputras, (I like the name), are just taking away everything and leaving the crumbs to the Malays and non-Malays. Non-Malays with the right connections share the loot. But out of 60% of the Malays, how many have had a share of what is distributed freely to UMNO and its toadies. In actual fact the Malays should not even think of paying more for toll, petrol and goods, as they could afford it, if they had been compensated with the easy coming money like Zakaria of Klang did with his mansion in Klang. The Malays should in fairness be part of the mansion not physically but why Zakaria alone a few more Malays besides him should get a share. He is special, in that he is close with the hierarchy of the government but what about the other Malay who is not. Has he got to be paying UMNO member and rub shoulders with the UMNO leaders to get the privilege. The leaders don’t care of the wealth of Zakaria because their wealth as well comes in this way out of patronising with the ones above them and this goes on as a cycle to the top.

Some Malays are even worst off than the non-Malays, and this is a fact, I leave in a Malay area of middle/lower groups. Why, the wealth of the Malays which should have been shared, goes to somebody else.

In time to come there are going to be 3 categories of Malays, the super rich, middle class all professionals and civil servants etc, and the worst poor taxi drivers, shopkeepers and the lot. You cannot draw a fine line to difference but as a whole this will be the situation caused by an inefficient government out to create the super rich and in that creation have people like Zakaria, leaving the non-UMNO card member worse than the non-Malays.

All is not lost, another week is there for the people to decide, not only their situation but as well of the children and grandchildren. Admit it the cake is getting smaller and smaller, fair sharing or failure is left in the hands of Malaysians.   

‘Barisanputras’ getting it all, not bumiputeras

Chelva | Mar 1, 08 5:16pm

Malaysians (whether you are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, Orang Asli or some other race), it should be clear to you that we have not had an opposition front as strong and competitive as the Barisan Nasional since independence.

Fifty years have gone by, and the government machinery has failed to unite Malaysians of all races. Instead, it has cleverly used a ‘divide and rule’ policy to cling to power without uplifting the poor and needy.

Poverty exists amongst all races in Malaysia. It is more common in the Malay and Indian communities although there are still poor Chinese people living in rural parts of Malaysia.

Despite the affirmative action policies of the government to enrich and uplift the Malays for the past 30 years, a majority of the Malays are still poor. They are as badly marginalised and downtrodden as the Indians. It is a well-known fact that it is the Barisanputras – not the common bumiputeras – who are benefitting most.

In essence, the Malays who are not benefitting from affirmative action policies hold grudges against Umno, just as Indians hold grudges against MIC and the Chinese against the Gerakan and the MCA.

The most important point for all of us to understand is that we are all affected by BN in one way or another as it is not a government by the people, for the people. It is a government that has thrived by dividing its people using the sensitive issues of race and religion over the past 50 years. As a result, only certain select groups of people have benefitted.

The opposition parties still do not seem to understand Malaysian politics, despite contesting for so many general elections. They always brainwash and woo the Chinese and Indians into voting for them, but they forget and overlook the Malay masses with the ultimate power to elect the right government.

The DAP can easily get the support of dissatisfied Chinese and Indians. PAS and PKR should not waste their precious time in wooing Chinese and Indian voters. Instead, they should garner the unwavering support of the rural Malays who seem to blindly support Umno without realising what is good for them and the country in the long-term.

DAP, PKR and PAS must compromise, sacrifice and stand together to fight for the common goal of a government by the people, for the people.

If we mess it up again this time, we will have to wait another five years. Life is very simple provided you make the right choices and decisions as you cruise along the journey of life. If things go wrong and bad things happen to you, do not blame others; blame yourself for making the wrong choices and decisions.

‘Barisanputras’ getting it all, not bumiputeras