Sagaladoola |
Najib’s “Kg. Baru” After Chew Mei Fun’s “Lesson 1969″
Posted: 05 Feb 2008 02:10 AM CST
Introduction : May 13 1969
Shortly after writing a post titled Lesson 1969, Voting and Chew Mei Fun ? , another famous or rather, infamous depending on individual perspective, minister made another remark pertaining to a black dot in the pages of Malaysian History, named “Kampung Baru”.
It is common knowledge of the Malaysian citizens that May 13 refers to the racial clashes, where many fought and died. I have blogged much about it in my past entries. There are a few places in Selangor (part of it is declared as Kuala Lumpur now) besieged by the terrible incident, of which the most mentioned spot being Kampung Baru. Currently, this Malay majority area is located behind the tallest twin towers in the world, KLCC.
Whenever May 13 is mentioned these days, bickering would ensue as to find the “right race” to fault for the incident. In my personal opinion, ALL RACES should be blamed. There were those who jeered irresponsibly and there were people who fanned the fire of people from their own race to react violently.
What is Being Said?
After the introduction, perhaps it is time to unravel what was being said by our Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak. His statements are written in The Star : Trust Barisan, Indians told
and Malaysiakini : Najib: Crackdown on dissent averted racial clash .
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Excerpt:
Najib said the future of the Indian community would not be safeguarded by those who led street demonstrations.
“What will happen if the Malays in Kampung Baru begin to rise up (in protest)?
“We don’t want that because we want to build this nation, and the success of this nation depends on the Indians as well as the other communities,” he added.
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Indeed, Malaysia is aptly named Bolehland. It is indeed sad that a person of such high position in Malaysia would make such statements in public.
Kampung Baru and HINDRAF
Highly the contrary, dear Najib. As his statements are about street demonstrations and Indians, I would like to place attention on the recent HINDRAF rally. A search through the internet revealed these:
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1) Malaysiakini : Kg Baru folk helped Hindraf marchers
Excerpt 1:
I don’t think this deputy prime minister was aware that during the Hindraf peaceful rally, when the police fired their tear gas and water cannons, many of the Indian marchers near the KLCC had to run to nearby Kampung Baru for cover.
And guess who gave the marchers refuge? None other than some of the Malay residents of Kampung Baru.
2) The Danesh Project: Hindraf, proud day for Malaysian Indians
Excerpt 2:
The train did not stop at the KLCC station and neither did it stop at the Ampang Park station. A true Malaysian, a Muslim, told us that both stations were closed and that the train will only stop at Kg. Baru, a station before the KLCC station and Damai station, a station after Ampang Park. He even told us the way to get to the gathering and this is without we requesting any information from him. This is a person who understood the reason for the gathering.
Excerpt 3:
My eyes and skin were burning as if hot water was splashed on my face. My nose and trachea was also burning. Once again, the true Malaysian spirit was seen. A Muslim family from Kg. Baru actually gave us water and helped us to wash off. I had tears in my eyes to see this show of support. We were always being led by the false impression that the Malays are not happy with the Indians and the Chinese. However the truth is, the Rakyat have no problem with each other. It is the politicians that create their own stories and cause racial problems.
Excerpt 4:
Our government failed to see that we are not Malays, Indians or Chinese. We are Malaysians. Why can’t the government accept this fact?
3) I have been to the Malaysia After Hindraf forum. It was mentioned a sizable amount of Hindraf funds come from people with Muslim-type names.
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Conclusion
As you can see, most Malays today are not Malays who seek to use a May 13 manner to ascertain their rights. The Chinese today are not the Chinese of yesterday. They are concerned about the well-being of the nation. They are concerned when NEP, which is supposed to help the poor, of which a significant number are Malays and Indians, not being abused to enrich the rich. It should not be a tool that propagates corruption. The Indians today are so used to multi-racial community that some of them told me they will feel weird if they are placed in a single race Indian community.
Kampung Baru Malays are not stupid. They know the right from wrong. I believe that they, being KL-ites for so decades would know the meaning of sympathy. Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa has multi-cultural customers. Chinatown Petaling Street has Malay visitors as well. The year is 2008; 1969 was almost 40 years ago. We are in the noughties and not in the 60s. It is ironic that Najib is giving such backdated statements on Kampung Baru Malays when there are people from this area who actually helped Hindraf. I am wondering whether the Kampung Baru people actually participated in the BERSIH rally together with other races. There is a high chance, you see.
An important questions to ask Najib, based on the Malaysiakini and The Star link : Do you know “something” that even Kampung Baru Malays do not know of? That would be certainly weird as you can see, Kampung Baru residents were helping Hindraf protesters as well. Why give that example, Najib?
Otherwise, I echo Khoo Kay Peng in saying “Najib Should Stop Playing With Communal Fire“. He brought up some valid questions to ask Najib. I agree with Khoo’s statement “Hindraf leaders, although I may not necessarily agree with its leaders’ statements or the method used, have specifically said that the protest was against UMNO and not the Malay community.“
These days we see Malaysian Chinese like Shen Yee Aun speaking fluent Bahasa Melayu and willing to fight for Malay rights. There are Malays like Nooryahaya who, despite not 100% agreeing with Hindraf claims, acknowledges the poverty among Indians and thanking Hindraf for highlighting the predicaments. Why can’t that happen in politics ? If Lulu had made the translation right, why, Miss Chew, that a lack of chinese representation will result in lesson 1969? Why can’t other components in Barisan Nasional fight for the Chinese or Malay rights like commoners Shen Yee Aun and Nooyahay? I thought Najib mentioned in New Straits Times that Communal politics are harmful.
I have always been surprised that everytime the election is near, there are bound to be people making ignorant statements and so on and so forth. What is the intention actually? I believe Malaysians regardless of race or religion would understand very well the motive of certain people in bringing up such issue at such moment in time.
I think Malaysians have had enough of such strategies. Do it once, people get shocked. Do it the second time, people know the trick. Do it the third time, well, I guess people know which is crap and won’t vote for it…..
P.S. Please read the pages of the links provided in the “Conclusion” section of this post. An interesting additional link – Jed Yoong : Najib did it again — Kg Baru Malays, is that a threat?
