Purging Malaysia's race-based DNA

If there is anything to learn from the momentous victory of Barisan Rakyat on March 8, it is that in the political arena, the sum is usually better than any one of its parts.

At least, that was one reason why I voted for PKR, and why I did all I could to persuade others to deny BN its toxic influence on Malaysia’s future. I use the term ‘toxic’ advisedly because we’ve all been breathing in this poison all our lives to appreciate that clean air is infinitely healthier.

Interestingly, disgraced Dr Chua Soi Lek blames MCA’s debacle on overemphasis of Chinese issues: "In multicultural Malaysia, not everyone is interested in how many scholarships or schools have been built for the Chinese. The problem is the party is still singing an old tune ..."

Will we be able to purge our ugly disposition before the next general election?

Anyway, here’s a post-election sampling of our DNA showing across the political divide:

Penang Chief Minister was warned by PM Abdullah not to stoke racial tensions: “Do not marginalise the Malays. I want to ask Lim Guan Eng what his plans are for the Malays in Penang What are his plans for the Indians in Penang? What are his plans for other minority groups in Penang?” [Incredibly this is by the same PM who said in the Wall Street Journal that he's going to heal wounds, and that he hears "the voice of our citizens."]

Malays in Penang: Kami ORANG MELAYU PULALU PINANG adalah orang yang paling malang di TANAH MELAYU, Malaysia.

On suspension of NEP in Penang: Kamilah orang Melayu yang pertama tidak lagi merasa kek ekonomi DEB bilamana HULUBALANG DAP dah umumkan pemansuhan polisi DEB oleh KETUA MENTERI PULAU PINANG. Akan ramai kontraktor2 dan peniaga MELAYU PULAU PINANG akan gulung tikar.

Khir Toyo on new Selangor Exco: “There are only a few Malay exco members (being mentioned). We don’t want to see the new opposition-led state government to practice discrimination and hope that they heed the racial sensitivity of the Selangor people.”

HINDRAF demands: The opposition parties should appreciate the "Makkal Sakthi" wave created by HINDRAF as it is the root cause for change in mindset and political
maturity of all races. HINDRAF demands that DAP and Keadilan appoint a deputy Menteri Besar/Chief Minister in the state of Selangor, Penang and Perak to show their sincerity towards the Indian community.

On Perak in DAP hands:Cuba fikirkanlah apa yang mungkin terjadi kepada orang Melayu Islam di Perak. Mungkin orang Melayu Islam yang menjadi MB hanya mampu berkuasa dari segi bidang hal ehwal agama Islam, tidak ubah seperti yang berlaku ketika zaman penjajah British.

Letter to Malaysiakini defending appointment of non-Malay from DAP as MB: It is absurd to still hold on to a system of governance that will only allow leaders from one race to have the chance to be the MB, to the exclusion of the other races. Even Manmohan Singh can be the Prime Minister of India, why can't a Chinese or Indian Malaysian be the Menteri Besar of Perak? The new generation of Perakians who are born in Malaysia after Merdeka no longer accept this unjust, unfair and unacceptable system.

MCA chief Datuk Ong Ka Chuan on appointment of PAS Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as MB of Perak: He said Mohammad's appointment went against the wishes of voters, especially non-Muslims. “Having a mentri besar from PAS creates fear among non-Muslims. This also creates political instability.”

The Malaysian Insider: 2 Indian parties in Barisan National and the rival Indian political party outside the ruling coalition are all to merge today as one (to speak for the Indian community). The MIC, PPP and the IPF political parties are expected to make this announcement soon.

MCA President Ong Ka Ting on loss: He assured party members and supporters that the party would continue to fight to protect and uphold the rights of the Chinese community.

Victorious Independent candidate for Bukit Selambau state seat in Perlis, V.Arumugam said he would join PKR if the newly formed Kedah state government agrees to appoint him a state executive councillor. "I will do that in the interest of the Indian community and the people who voted for me," he said.

Zainuddin Maidin (Zam) after losing Sungei Petani: "The people may have to pay the price..."

We’re up to our noses in this race rubbish, and the old as well as new guards have to navigate and rise above our collective prejudices. So I’ll give our newly elected MPs and assemblymen time - although they must know that in politics, if there is a learning curve, it is short and unforgiving.

So. Should we be optimistic?

There is no other choice. We have to rid its stink, forge a new era together, and reclaim Malaysia for Malaysians, for ourselves, for our children and their children.