theSun | MONDAY FEBRUARY 23 2009
speak up!
Put an end to
protest culture
THE King, addressing Parliament last Mon-
day, made many observations that the peo-
ple and leaders need to ponder seriously.
His thoughts on the Constitution must
be given thought too. On the Constitution, I
see today far too many people indulging in
constitutional talk and there could be some
that do not know it thoroughly. This can be
dangerous, and must be avoided. The King
rightly issued a reminder saying: “In this
sense, I remind all parties to respect this
foundation that the Constitution was based
upon and not question it.”
Tuanku Mizan added that the younger
generation should also be cultivated on the
history of the country’s independence, the
Constitution and principles of the Rukune-
gara. This should be done promptly.
The King also expressed sadness that
some parties still raised narrow-minded
racial issues and brought them into public
debates. I share this view, and hope we are
always mindful of what we say and how, in
plural Malaysia. It pays to be careful.
And let us learn to be colour blind too.
Stop raising racial matters. If need be, they
should be discussed behind closed doors.
Tuanku Mizan also said the global eco-
nomic situation was expected to affect the
country’s economic growth. Both sides of
the political divide must cooperate and pay
more attention to the economy. We must
put an end to political bickering.
The King also said political parties should
show maturity and advised their members
not to act in a manner that could affect
national stability and economic growth.
Let us put an end to the protest culture. It
is better to talk things over. We do not solve
any problem by taking to the streets.
Bulbir Singh
Seremban
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We need more
peacemakers
I READ that respondents to an online
opinion poll had voted overwhelm-
ingly for the abolition of race-based
political parties. Some 90% of about
500 respondents believe that the
abolition would result in greater
social harmony and understanding
among the various communities. I feel
vindicated after much slack from nay-
Tribute to educationist Sim Mow Yu
THE passing away of renowned
Chinese educationist Datuk Sim Mow
Yu on Feb 5 is a big loss for the com-
munity and country. His dedication to
mother-tongue education is remark-
able and his conviction remained
steady despite many trials.
This included detention under the
Internal Security Act and arrest under
the Sedition Act in the 1970s over
issues relating to Chinese education.
Sim was expelled from the MCA
Youth Wing in 1966 for fighting for
Chinese education to be one of the
official languages in the country.
Sim’s astonishing determination
to hold steadfast to propagating the
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sayers who opined that race-based
politics is still relevant. I am convinced
that the cause of our political impasse
is in a large part due to race-based
parties.
I urge independent pollsters to
conduct more polls that are larger
than the sample size of 500 used in
the online poll, as pro-race-based
importance of Chinese and mother-
tongue education was driven by his
optimistic outlook.
The accomplished calligrapher
headed Jiao Zong (United Chinese
School Teachers Association) for 28
years and retired from the frontline at
the age of 82. His feat was recorded in
the Malaysia Book of Records for being
the longest-serving school principal.
Some 20,000 students received their
education under Sim’s guidance.
Sim also placed the greatest
importance to filial piety.
While Sim inspired one generation
of people towards the importance
of Chinese education, his death has
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political party proponents are likely
to argue on the small sample size.
There is much talk about racial
unity coming from the so called lib-
eral factions within the ranks of race-
based political parties. I doubt there
can be any sincere introspection by
these parties as their very survival
depends on racial polarisation.
That is why since the political
tsunami of March 8, we often hear
catch phrases like unity, soul search-
ing, reform and what not, but race
relations in Malaysia seems to be on
a downward spiral.
What we can achieve with the
current model is not racial unity
but mere racial tolerance; tolerance
has boundaries and when they are
breached can turn ugly.
Without doubt some parties sur-
vived by playing up to the fear of one
race being marginalised to the hilt. In
casual talks with many Malay friends
from diverse backgrounds – from
despatch boy, architect, taxi driver,
presented us with a challenge of
motivating future generations.
Many leaders from the ruling
elite have called for the closure of
vernacular schools and disregarded
mother-tongue education. The
government is not concerned about
new vernacular school policies,
inequality of fund allocations to
Chinese and Tamil schools and
insufficient teachers. More than half
of the schools lack infrastructure,
trained teachers and resources.
Over the last year, the people have
become more vocal in demanding
their democratic as well as cultural
rights. Mother-tongue education has
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town council worker and the pak cik
who sells me nasi lemak – I under-
stand that they feel they do not hold
the economic pie in proportion to their
population, and if their political power
is usurped, they will have nothing. The
challenge is, however, debunking this
lie perpetrated by certain quarters.
The Malays must lose their ir-
rational fear and stop declaring
non-Malay citizens subordinate. The
non-Malays/Muslims should stop
labelling all Malays as this and that
because of the actions of a few and
get a grip of their Islamophobia, stop
labelling all Muslims as “Taliban” and
such because of a few fatwa. This is
deeply hurting and alienating Malays
who threw their support behind
Pakatan. It’s easy to point fingers
but it takes two to tango. Malaysia
does not need more bigots, we need
peacemakers and lots of them.
Vijay Kumar Murugavell
via e-mail
inculcated the seeds of multi-cultur-
ism and cultural rights. Such efforts
should be continued by both political
parties and NGOs.
As we pay tribute to Sim, I urge
political parties to stop marginalising
vernacular schools but ensure that
the status of these schools are on par
with national schools.
I also hope leading movements
including Dong Jiao Zong and Tamil
Foundation together with The
Federation of Malay Writers Asso-
ciations (Gapena) find new ways to
educate the future generations about
the importance of mother-tongue
education.
Charles Santiago
Member of Parliament, Klang