When talking about the Malays Privilege, ones usually regard only the Malays and Chinese. We don't usually account Iban or Kadazan into it. The reason being, Chinese see the Malay 1st before other bumiputras group. Therefore he sees a Malay 1st approving his government loan before a melanau does. A Chinese see a Malay 1st, driving a BMW though with mere Diploma in his hand while she holds MD, before she see a bajau does. The sense of injustice undoubtedly creeps in. The word injustice is very well be translated into 'jealously' by typical Malay towards the Chinese. For the Chinese, the reason to bring out the issue though the Privilege had been agreed upon by their very own fathers (perkara 153 perlembagaan persekutuan) is needless to say, unfairness or stupid as ordinary Chinese might say it.
Expectedly, both are right and wrong. For the Malay, the Chinese should be very grateful on their approval of Malaya citizenship to the Chinese. The Chinese will counter this by simply saying ' u think u can drive the Benz if not because of us?'. It is ultimately true that it was the Chinese who turn Malaysian economic as it seen today. Another Malay will instantly raise and say 'who do think buy the Acer laptops from u the most?'. Again, it is true, Malays assume the biggest buying number (I intentionally use buying number instead of buying power), ergo, helping the Chinese to build the nation economic.
But yet, if u look closely, it is still unfair for Chinese. Both Ali and Yong contribute to the nation development (tho, in hell, will Yong join the Army) but Yong doesn't get equal chance in going administrate or getting education. Ali is always ahead of him. He can join the ministry with mere diploma in business while Yong has to have more than a diploma and inside 'cable' just to get the interview. A '4.0' in Yong' daughter college transcript mean she can easily apply for medicine in private University while A '3.8' for Ali' boy will almost ascertain his place in UUM medical faculty.
‘The dispute between Malay and Chinese will never stop even though the very Privilege is removed. In fact, it will stir more disputes’
If you are a thinker, you will possibly agree to the above notion. Singapore as we know it used to be dominated by the Malay until the British brought in the Immigrants imminently, the Chinese. Now, all the fields are arguably controlled by Chinese be it Politics or Economics.
If that fact would have taken place in Malaysia, domestic war would have erupted due to 2 simple reason.
1. Balance: while Malay controls the politics, it is the Chinese who controls the economic. Malay politicians force Chinese business men to hire Malay workers, in return, they get extra preference from the government (great example would be Genting Group). Chinese businessmen force Malay politicians to increase the quota for Chinese students in local University, in return, Malay students become more competitive (best example would be the quality of Malay doctors produced by UM). Therefore, equilibrium (or better still, Harmony) is achieved.
2. Number: ‘Survival of the Fittest’ is the apt fancy words to use in Singapore case. It’s not actually ‘survival’ tho. I’m talking about the political and economic power. When one talk about Singaporean, he will picture a Chinese first, then elite Indian, then some European PR, finally,.. u know where I am going. But why no riots? A proud Singaporean would answer: We organize our social structure well plus Singaporeans, regardless of what race, are elite minded, we don’t fight, if other man is richer than us, that mean we should work harder to get to his par. If you are a thinking Malaysian Malay’ u would possibly say: jerk. Nah, I mean, u would say, because Chinese is the majority population (75+%). It is a known fact that Chinese is smarter and more diligent than Malay. Therefore, theoretically, they can surpass the Malay in any field at any time, therefore again, they can easily overqualify Malay in term of politic and economic thus control the country. Malay who constitute more than half the total population of Malaysia surely will ran riot should they lost the power to the minority. For Malay, blood comes first before brain if that happen. Simply means, chaos will take place, killing will rampage. May 13 will resurrect (yah I know, it’s lame, I write it anyway).
Conclusion:
1. Malay should appreciate the special treatment they get. It’s about time to vigorously loosen up the Privilege with all the achievements by Malays in many areas.
2. We are in no position to compare Malaysia with Singapore. Most of us would blatantly say how unlucky to be born in Malaysia instead of the 1st world neighbor but you would later thank god for being a Malaysian if u could live at least 15 years more and see what will happen to the world.
N/B: Thanks to a friend of mine who inspired me into writing this article.
