I’m really glad to see that a change in 50 years of Independence, that National Front or a.k.a Barison National (BN) suffered a great lose since the a big setback in 1969, which resulted in a race riots (wikipedia) that caused hundreds of deaths and a state of emergency.
The riot resulted what we have today the Malaysian New Economy Policy (NEP) – it was an ambitious and controversial socio-economic restructuring affirmative action program launched by the Malaysian government in 1971 . Although NEP officially ended in 1990 but many of the tangible economic benefits it offered the Bumiputra are still ongoing. In 2005, some politicians from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), called for the restoration of the NEP as part of the New National Agenda (NNA).
Because of that, many people complain that government policy has denied the minority Chinese and Indians fair access to education, jobs, and housing. This growing dissatisfaction is one of the reasons besides increasing crime rate, inflation and government controlled media that resulted this setback of 2008 election.
Well the history is for us to be learned, especially in our generation. With so many years of education, we should be able to see things clearly, to differentiate right from wrong. I think that to a certain point, the New Economy Policy is a correct step to reduce the racial tension accumulated since the British colonisation which resulted in imbalance economy. The policy actually helps to create a balanced economy distribution and curb poverty. If not, we would end up like the economy in Indonesia.
BUT IT SHOULD BE ENDED BY NOW…
We Malaysians should have equal rights regardless any races or religion. The policy doesn’t serve it’s purpose anymore
because certain bumiputras exploited it and become richer while the poor remains the same.
It also promoted a laid-back attitude among the Bumiputras. What’s the point then?
It’s time for Change. The change is now!
Mohandas Gandhi once said “Be the change that you want to see in the world. “
For those who already given up. Don’t!! There will be a better tomorrow for Malaysia and BANGSA MALAYSIANS.
BBC NEWS -Election setback for Malaysia PM
TIMES Online – Malaysia voters vow to bring change despite fears of poll fraud
The Hindu -polls close in Malaysia’s general election
IPS: POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Civil Society Leaders Enter Election Fray
