Condensed and translated by Centre for Policy Initiatives

Picture courtesy of Merdeka Review

This is my home. I care about it and I want to make it better,??? said Jayanath Appudurai, an Anak Bangsa Malaysia core member. (CPI editor’s note: Jayanath is also our Malay section columnist).

Yet many are disappointed, sad and frustrated when they do not feel up to coping [with the depressing conditions in the country] after the events of 2009. There are those who have opted to pack up and go, whereas others have chosen to remain here and try their best to change the status quo.

This is how Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) started, premised on the spirit of ‘One People, One Nation’. Haris Ibrahim who convened the cyber activism website The People’s Parliament in 2007 said Anak Bangsa Malaysia is comprised of a group of “good people??? who want to make their views heard. The grouping believes that our country has come to this pass today because we have abdicated our responsibility as citizens.

Therefore, they decided to bring together the “good people??? who shared the same idealism to create a pluralistic civil society through the SABM platform.

Without doubt, eradicating racism is the first goal of the mission to realise ‘One People, One Nation’. This long-term objective requires the effort of all the rakyat. It is those individuals having faith in the concept of ‘one people’ that plant a seed in the hope that their fellow citizens will water and nurture the sapling.

Jayanath is of the view that most Malaysians are racist; they come in different shapes in the various sectors. The public sector may observe a surface political correctness but nonetheless still reinforce racial stereotypes of the other races in the privacy of their homes. Young children are easily influenced by the home environment and can potentially become racists when adult.

Measure of a nation

The MerdekaReview journalist put this question to the interviewees: “Is Malaysia a failed project?"

Haris replied with alacrity, “If we’re not careful, we’re getting there.???

He added, “It depends on what is meant by a nation state? When you say ‘patriotism’, what do you mean by it? (Jayanath cut in: Patriotic as in Biro Tatanegara-style). True, what is Biro Tatanegara patriotism? It depends on the yardstick that you use.???

After a pause, Haris continued, “We should not measure the success of the Malaysian project by skyscrapers, the [world’s tallest] flagpole. If we are to judge by the height of buildings, then you can say that we’re developed. But does this country have soul? A conscience????

At this point Jayanath took up the discussion, “We lost our soul during Mahathir’s era (the fourth Prime Minister).???

Haris asked, “But are we claiming it back?"

Jayanath rejoined, “Yes! We’re taking our country back!???

We need to start somewhere

Jayanath also shared his personal observation: “What’s interesting was that during the Merdeka period, many were not rich. But they had a feeling of belonging to the country. Today many more people are economically better off. But they are beginning to emigrate. In the year 2009 alone, a total of 300,000 left [Malaysia] to go abroad.???

“However, I do not hold that we’re a failed state. It is because of this belief that we’re doing something now,??? said Jayanath.

He explained that Anak Bangsa Malaysia would like to convey five messages so that Malaysians know and are prepared to exercise their rights.

Firstly, to orientate ourselves to the ‘country first’ mindset so that one thinks foremost like a Malaysian;

Secondly, to win the hearts and minds of our various communities in order that we can transcend the divide caused by the social cleavages of ethnicity, creed, colour, class and gender;

Thirdly, to foster universal human values, that is, fairness, equality and justice for all;

Fourthly, to develop the tenets of ‘good governance’, which are, trustworthiness, integrity, accountability and transparency;

Finally, to educate our society to become responsible global citizens who want to contribute towards peace, harmony and sustainable development.

Anak Bangsa Malaysia will be conducting nationwide roadshows to deliver their message. The first forum was held in Penang and the next one is scheduled for Kuala Lumpur on Jan 23. Their subsequent fora will be held in Perak, the east coast and make its way north.

This article was published under the headline ‘Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia melangkaui benteng perkauman’ in Merdeka Review on Jan 5, 2010, and can also be read in Chinese.

 

SABM press statement:

Ridhuan Tee and Art Harun debate?

Some from the Internet community are firmly in support of Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah’s assertions in the article ‘Accused as criminals is better than being evil’ which appeared in his Utusan column on Sunday (Dec 27) while others have slammed him for his views.

The following day, lawyer Art Harun heightened ongoing arguments with a rebuttal – ‘An open reply to Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah’ on his blog.

SABM wishes to invite Ridhuan and Art to an open debate. The aim is to encourage a spirit of sober and reasoned discussion on the subject in contention as well as to open up public space for diverse views to be expressed.

SABM proposes to hold the debate at a suitable venue and at a time appropriate for both writers and hopes they will agree to participate in what promises to be an exciting event.

Art has agreed while the organizing committee has not had any word yet from Ridhuan.