a Malaysia for Malaysians

We narrate below a real story told to us by a frustrated Malaysian recently :

When I was in form 5, my Civics teacher (a malay) asked me specifically if Malaysia and India playing a hockey tournament whom do you support. My answer was India as it was one of favourite hockey team then. I’m not sure the real reason behind my teacher’s intention then?

He asked me another question what’s your nationality? I answer Malaysia. He asked why Malaysia not India, my answer was I born here, my father born here and  it’s Tanah Tumpah Darah ku. See he knows it’s Malaysia his home but he supported India, where is the nationalism he told the class. It made me wonder what sports had to do with Nationalism. It’s embarrassed myself as sole Indian in the class with 3 other Chinese out of 45. Even during pengajian agama we sat in the classroom listening to ustazah.

Few years later, meet a group of tourist from India while having dinner at a restaurant with my colleagues. One of  them approached and asked me where you from. I said Malaysia. He laughed and whispers something to his friend. He asked again what’s your origin. I said Malaysia. He then emphasized clearly “your ancestors”.

My reply was from Gxxxee,Tamilnadu, India near famous Thiruvanamalai Sivan temple and where historical fort build during Chola Dynasty in 9^th Century AD. He further asked had you visited. I said yes, while on a business trip. The couple then left after acknowledging me. It’s not important anymore I replied. One of them smiled and says one day you will remember us. I’m puzzled since then what it really meant.

My Chinese colleague looked at me and said at least you aware of your ancestors origin, we don’t had any root or contacts. I only know ancestors origin from Southern China and I’m born Malaysia like my father and grandfather and Ipoh my Kampung.

I’m very proud as Malaysian whenever traveling overseas including to India. I used to tell my family member only after I step my foot at KL airport my heart beat returned normal. That’s My Nation.

However, suddenly after 40 years being a proud Malaysian, now I had to re look to my ancestors place as an alternative in case of migrating out of My Nation. I heard Senior Umno members purchasing property in UK. Most worrying is the arrogance of Umno leaders with their racial remarks, religious extremism whom systematically arabnizing Malaysia without bothering about rest of Malaysian too pushing myself to make decision soon.

As Raja Petra pointed out at his Malaysia-today news portal in article titled “I am Malay and proud of It” how religious authorities brain washing and instigate anti humanism among Malaysian worried my family members too. I’m , also wondering :

1) Why should we borrow someone else identity when we already had Malaysian identity?

2) If Malaysian can tolerate Malaysian progress whom else going tolerate?

One side we borrowing others identity while at other side we claim national identity will loss just by putting extra languages on road signs or teaching few subjects in other language. Even products manufacturer in Malaysia has few languages on it’s label or instruction booklet. If this double standard continues Malaysia will not be Malaysia in next 50 years to come.

Should I gamble my childrens future by only asking them to learn national language and continue being Malaysian where Tanah Tumpah Darah Ku (my Nation where my blood shed) or just look for another green pasture else where? Why not when Najib Razak, Hishamuddin and Nazri Aziz childrens forgetten nationalism at foreign land but gearing up to continue family legacy in Malaysia?