Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Letter from Malaysian Abroad

Recently I received an e mail from my old Taiping school friend,Ruben who is now pursuing medicine in Nottingham University asking my opinion on one of the sensitive issues in Malaysia, regarding the Malays' privileges in the country. The leter was addressed to Jeff Ooi(whom people call the most influential blogger) and somehow got circulated in the e mail among the UK non-Malays sponsored student (I suppose!). I present the chain of the e mail here.

------------------------------------
Hi Hisham,

Please reply to this mail....ur opinion.U r one of the
most rational malays I
have met,and thus wanna know ur true opinion.

Ruben

-----------------------------------

Dear Mr Ooi,

I have been meaning to pen some thoughts for some time now, to let people actually read the views of the typical ‘overseas Malaysian’ who is kept away. I realise that my email is rather long, but I do hope that you would consider publishing it (and also keep my name private!).

I shall start by telling a little about my background. Mine is a rather sad tale – of a young Malaysian full of hope and patriotic enthusiasm, which is slowly but surely trickling away.

I am very different from many other non-bumiputeras, as I was given tremendous opportunities throughout my childhood. Born into a middle-class Chinese but English-speaking family, I grew up with all the privileges of imported books, computers, piano/violin lessons and tuition teachers.

My parents insisted that I should be exposed to a multi-racial education in a national school. In my time, my urban national school (a missionary school) was a truly happy place – where the Malays, Chinese and Indian students were roughly equal in proportion. We played and laughed with each other, and studied the history of the world together during Form 4, with one interesting chapter dedicated to Islamic history.

Though 75% of my teachers were Malays, I never really noticed. My Malay teachers were the kindest to me – teaching me well and offering me every possible opportunity to develop. I led the district teams for English and Bahasa Malaysia debating competitions. I was the only non-Malay finalist in the Bahasa Malaysian state-level elocution competition. My Malay teachers encouraged me to transfer to a government residential school (sekolah berasrama penuh) so as to enable me to maximise my academic potential. I refused because I was happy where I was, so they made me head prefect and nominated me as a ‘Tokoh Pelajar Kebangsaan’. Till this day, I am absolutely certain that it was the kindness of all my Malay teachers which made me a true Malaysian.

I excelled at school and was offered a Singaporean government scholarship to study overseas. I turned them down because I wanted to ensure that I would remain a ‘true Malaysian’ in the eyes of Malaysia. So I accepted a Malaysian government scholarship to study at Oxford University. Throughout my three years as an undergraduate, the officers at the MSD looked after me very well, and was always there to offer support.

I graduated with first class honours, and was offered a job with a leading investment bank. The JPA released me from my bond, so as to enable me to develop my potential. I shall always be grateful for that. I worked hard and rose in rank. My employer sent to me to Harvard University for postgraduate study and I climbed further up their meritocratic ladder.

Now I am 31 years old and draw a comfortable monthly salary of US$22,000. Yet, I yearn to return home. I miss my home, my family, my friends, my Malaysian hawker food and the life in Malaysia. I have been asked many times by Singaporean government agencies to join them on very lucrative terms, but I have always refused due to my inherent patriotism.

I really want to return home. I have been told by government-linked corporations and private companies in Malaysia that at best, I would still have to take a 70% pay cut if I return to Malaysia to work. I am prepared and willing to accept that. My country has done a lot for me, so I should not complain about money.

But of late, my idealistic vision of my country has really come crashing down, harder and faster than ever before.

I read about the annual fiasco involving non-bumiputera top scorers who are denied entry to critical courses at local universities and are offered forestry and fisheries instead. (My cousin scored 10A1’s for SPM and yet was denied a scholarship).

I read about UMNO Youth attacking the so-called meritocracy system because there are less than 60% of Malay students in law and pharmacy, whilst conveniently keeping silent about the fact that 90% of overseas scholarship recipients are Malays and that Malays form the vast majority in courses like medicine, accountancy and engineering at local universities.

I read about the Higher Education Minister promising that non-bumiputera Malaysians will never ever step foot into UiTM.

I read about a poor Chinese teacher’s daughter with 11A1’s being denied a scholarship, while I know some Malay friends who scored 7A’s and whose parents are millionaires being given scholarships.

I read about the brilliant Prof. K.S. Jomo, who was denied a promotion to Senior Professor (not even to Head of Department), although he was backed by references from three Nobel Prize winners. Of course, his talent is recognised by a prestigious appointment at the United Nations.

I read about UMNO Youth accusing Chinese schools of being detrimental to racial integration, while demanding that Mara Junior Science Colleges and other residential schools be kept only for Malays.

I read about the Malay newspaper editors attacking the private sector for not appointing enough Malays to senior management level, whilst insisting that the government always ensure that Malays dominate anything government-related.

I read that at our local universities, not a single Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor is non-Malay.

I read that in the government, not a single Secretary-General of any ministry is non-Malay. The same goes for all government agencies like the police, armed forces, etc.

I read about UMNO screaming for the Malay Agenda, but accusing everyone else of racism for whispering about equality.

I read about a poor Indian lady having to pay full price for a low-cost house after being dispossessed from a plantation, whilst Malay millionaires demand their 10% bumiputera discount when buying RM2 million bungalows in a gated community.

I read about my beloved national schools becoming more and more Islamic by the day, enforced by overzealous principals.

I read about my Form 4 World History (Sejarah Dunia) syllabus, which now contains only one chapter of world history, with Islamic history covering the rest of the book.

As I read all this, I tremble with fear. I love my country and long to return. I am willing to take a 70% pay cut. I am willing to face a demotion. I honestly want to contribute my expertise in complex financial services and capital markets. But really, is there a future for me, for my children and for their children? I am truly frightened.

I can deal with the lack of democracy, the lack of press freedom, the ISA, our inefficient and bureaucratic civil service, our awful manners and even a little corruption. But I cannot deal with racism in my homeland.

I think this is the single biggest factor which is keeping people like myself away. And bear in mind – there are so many of us (researchers, scientists, bankers, economists, lawyers, academics, etc.). What people read about in Malaysia (like Dr Terence Gomez) is but the tiniest tip of the iceberg. You will be amazed to know about Malaysians denied JPA scholarships (which would have made them civil servants), took loans to attend Ivy League universities, but who are later asked to advise our government (on IT, economics, etc.) at fees running to millions of US dollars. Such information will never be published because it is politically incorrect.

As a Christian, I pray for God’s blessing on this great country of ours. I pray that He blesses our leaders with the foresight and humanity to see that this will not work and cannot continue. I pray that they will have the strength to make our country a home for all Malaysians and that they will have mercy for the poor, including the non-Malays. I pray for true racial harmony and acceptance (not just tolerance) in Malaysia.

Yours sincerely,
A very frightened Malaysian abroad


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And here's what I replied:


Hello,
Well this is my opinion as a Malay who was born in
a typical, conservative and modest Malay family. I
could not agree more with the author of the letter. He
has every right to voice his opinion and I really
salute him for being a true spirit of Malaysian, even
though he is a Chinese.

I am quite thankful to go to school where the
majority of the students are non-Malays. And now
studying here in Australia where most of my
scholarships friends are Malays, I have a fair view
about the situation he is talking about.

OK, ever since independent Malays have been a
pampered lot. The reason is to help Malays so that
they can be at par with other races. they get all this
sorts of privileges and advantages that in the end it
all goes down to drain just like that. Scholarships,
10% discount on properties purchase, MARA,
Matriculations and the list just goes on. Well, I did
agree at first with this. But hang on, 2005-1957 is 48
years and that is like 2 generations of human being.
err... what happen now? Are they at the same level
with other races? In a way yes, but every way is no. I
do not think so. Malays take all these advantages as
their rights and not as a stepping stone for them to
move forward. The question is how long more do they
need the government to supportand feed their mouth? If
you ask me that, I'd say that they need not even a
single second more for all the privileges that they
have. 48 years is more than enough for them to realise
that they need to change. Can someone pls tell me
which race in Malaysia that top the chart in drug
addiction? Can someone pls tell me which race in
Malaysia that is in the 'dean's list' for raping,
gangsterism and illegal racing? If that's what the
pirvileges do to them, perhaps we should give them
MORE privilges so the Malays who do that will just
extinct in this world leaving only the 'elightened'
one.

While the Malays are 'bestowed' with all the
privileges, other races are working hard to change
their fate THEMSELVES realising that the government
places a greater emphasis only on Malays. I have seen
this and I speak from experiences. While the
non-Malays are working hard, the Malays are lazing
around because they know that government will back
them up. Well, which one do you think will excel more?
The one that has no advantages but work hard or the
one that has all the advantages but do nothing? I did
not say that they are all like that. Some do take full
use of the advantages and they really excel. As a
Malay (whom ppl say look like a bit of a Chinese :P)I
guess that they need to learn the hard way like other
races do. Give them what they deserve or distributed
the resources equally.

Am I one of them? I guess I compete fairly in my
study. I refuse to go to boarding school when I get
the offer and I am thankful for that. Boarding school
only narrow your scope of thinking because you are
just interacting with the Malays. I wholeheartedly
agree with the recent meritocracy effort by the gov.
Learn the hard way man!

Feel free to share them with your fren(however be
careful) and am willing to opine more.

Hisham.

------------------------------------------------

And he replied back:

Hey,

thanks for the reply.I do know myself that u r one malay who deserves
whatever u haf been given.In case u do not know anything about the
recent
happenings in msia,the system has got worse.This year...the JPA
scholarship,1200 were issued,out of which 7 were given to Indians.That
is
0.5% hisham.And out of the 7,none were given medicine.This is just
ridiculous.And u know what,even I am now thinking about staying back in
UK.I
dont want my children to go thru the same dissapointment.If i come
back,i
have to be kicked around by the same system.I am seriously
dissapointed.And
u know what,if this is gonna proceed,msia is gonna sink
soon!Sooner...msia
will be inhabited my malays alone.

Neways,on lighter note,i am back in msia,for almost three months.til
the
24th of sept.R u coming back?Do send me emails and msn mseges if u r
free.Take cae and all the best.

Jolly,
Ruben


**Hate flying long distance though.

A Muslim Refusenik

I was reading the Malaysian news paper as part of my daily routine and was tuck on the article on Islam. It discussed the people who have a different point of view on Islam and try to interprets the religion in their own way. One of them was Irshad Manji the best-selling author of 'The Trouble with Islam' that has been translated into many languages. She is a feminist, fighter for human rights, a lesbian and a Muslim-Refusenik. That does not mean she refuse to be a Muslim, but it simply means she refuses to join an army of automatons in the name of Allah. This triggered me to buy her book.



So I bought the book and now in the second chapter of the book. I respect her opinion though. Judging from her background, I do not put the entire blame on her. She was brought up in a rather shaky family of refugees in the early 1970's. I'd blame the community. This is the real trouble with Islam. We are facing with a lot of difficulties even to propagate the teaching among our people. People like Irshad and many more out there is just the results of the society being ignorant to their obligations towards fellow Muslims. She was groomed in a scenario where no one is ready to answer her curiosity, where no one around her was able to guide her in the true way of Islam. She is a well-known celebrity now in Canada. She has a TV Program that broadcasts the life of Muslim gays and lesbians that fled to western world due to the forbidden act in their countries. She is trying to rope in people towards her belief and I am not surprise if she has more than a million Muslim fans out there that has been influenced by her. The causes are small but the implications are enormous. Beginning from the very person that fail to convince her about the true Islam, she is now converting more into her beliefs.



I am just trying to view this in a positive way other than to put the blame on her alone. Of course she is wrong in her coures to find the truth, no doubt about that. But the question here is should we just focus the blame on her alone of should we change our community's mind frame that has conceived this kind of people? I'd say we take the latter. Root out the source rather than the implications.



Irshad Manji, Salman Rushdie, Ibn Warraq and many more are the 'victims' of the community's or more accurately the Muslim's ignorant towards their own responsibilities in propagatting the faith. I blame myself for that as well. I just hope that one day that Allah will give her hidayah and lead her back to the right teachings of Islam.

**Flying to Sydney tonight at 12.10am for interview and spending a week there(Sydney and Melbourne) for a quick holiday.

Friday, June 24, 2005

I Wanna Fly Up High and Cry

Perhaps this is the most unjoyful moments I have ever experienced after I finish my exams. Perhaps this is the only time that I wish that exam is still not over so that I can devote more time to study. It is too late to regret now. I hope that I will just make up the mark for pass.

Is sadness the absence of happiness?

I was in Perth mosque yesterday and now I begin to feel the rapport that I have tied with the people there. Everyone acts as though they have known each other for a long time. The feeling of close-knit Muslim community really exudes its existence there. I meet new people everyweek and in the spirit of Islam and Muslim brotherhood we quickly become friends. I notice that every human being has the same craving to satisfy his own desire. It is just how we view it. They were discussing about girls and sex as well in Perth mosque just like I do wit my other uni frens. However, the way we discuss it of course different. There we talk base on the Quran and Hadith. In other words we seek Halal entertainment if you like. We still do jokes and laugh outloud. Just that the environment is different.



With this I have the chance to mix with both party; the one that adheres to what they believe and they who only believe in what they want to do. My friends said that life is short therefore enjoy it as you like. How far this is true? By being in both groups, I learn to 'communicate' in their languages and think they way they think. I still know my border even though sometimes I did something stupid due to peer influence. I did adapt well but did I adap right?

Whatever it is I still wanna fly up high and cry...

Let History be History?

I was very much captivated with the quote by Ali Abi Talib on how we can learn from history. He described it in a beautiful way that history helps us to plan our future by learning what make the people before us happy and what make them sad. It is indeed a new world in the history of the people before us. Their struggle, their triumphs, their downfall and their making of civilised world serve as a great reference for us and the future generation. We might boast with the 'physical' technology that we have, the over-civilised nation that we developed until we have to sacrifice some of the norms and values and the complex society that we live in in our community today. Past people can boast for their struggle and the foundation that they lay on the civilised world's today. Have we tarnished or even demolished all their efforts in the name of justice and societal development?

Perhaps the closest and the most appropriate example here is the condition in Iraq today and also the Muslim community. Iraq is the cradle of civilisation and is the turning point of a new era in human history ever since the glory of Tigris and Euphrates. It has hatched a lot of scholars and literature that has been used up until today to shape our society. What happen now? In the name of 'justice', the thousands of years of struggle has been snapped off in a blink of an eye. In the name of 'justice' we lost our root of civilisation. We have erased the remaining traces of history.



The story of the companions of the prophets demonstrated how they strive to propagate Islam and build a solid Muslim community. Their efforts know no boundary and was endless because of their love of Islam. Once, Islam has conquered three quarter of the world through their struggle. However now the light that has once shone the world begins to dim and portray a darker image of the religion. Muslims fighting among themselves while they have a bigger enemy to fight with. We have somehow not only neglected their effort but also has render it futile. We erased the results of their long arduous journey in a second. How cruel we are to think that we have the right to do what we are doing now without thinking about the sacrifices made by the people before us. How arrogant we are to even think that we the modern society initiate the development of our community today. May the history that we study lead us and guide us to step foward in the right path base on what has happened in the past.

'Meski rentang hidupku tak sepanjang masa hidup generasi sebelumku, tapi aku
berusaha keras untuk selalu mengakji kehidupan mereka. Aku mengikuti perjalanan
mereka, merenungkan segala usaha dan perjuangan meraka, mengkaji peninggalan
dah reruntuhan hasil karya mereka. Kurenungkan kehidupan mereka, seolah-olah
aku hidup dan bekerja dengan mereka sejak zaman dini sejarah higga zamanku
sekarang. Akhirnya, aku tahu apa yang membuatkan mereka bahagia dan apa yang
membuatkan mereka sengsara.'

-Ali bin Abi Talib

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Sometimes

We are indeed weak and fragile creature. We forget. We stumbled upon our mistakes. We forgive. We let others lead our way instead of ourself. Funny how we promise something just to please someone but has no intention in our heart. Funny how we do things just for the sake of completion but not with the real heart. And funny how we often forget to cherish the life that we have as we always wonder to achieve something better. We are indeed weak, fragile and perhaps funny and forgetful being.

I do not understand why sometimes people tend to only see what they want to see. He is acting as though the world is a place of all that is beautiful. We forget to see something from other people's view point. Only then can we appreciate how should we be grateful towards waht we have. It is a wisdom to see something from different angle and learn to cherish the life that we have.



Sometimes we ponder upon the wish that does not come true. We grumble. We pull a sour face. Did we ever be grateful for all the things that we have blessed with? Did we ever realise and be thankful for the joyful moments that we have in our life? Funny when only one down turn can outweigh all the joys that we have before. I blame myself for that. I guess it is in the nature of human being that we tend to forget and I say this over and over gain to remind myself. Learn to savour every single moments that we have may it be the ups or downs of life because at the end of the journey, you will find all these funny and bitter moments in life will make up a beautiful picture on which you can laugh upon. Go through life with determination and treat all down moments with a prayer and patience.

Sometimes I walk without seeing
Sometimes I see without knowing,
Sometimes I live without learning
And sometimes I learn without showing.

And sometimes I pay no attention
To what lies on the road ahead,
And sometimes I just rush in
Where the angels fear to tread.

Sometimes I listen real well
To words that my soul speaks,
And sometimes I dont hear reason
When my heart is feeling weak.

Sometimes when it rains
I see the sound that it makes,
And sometimes it floods my heart
Because of my mistakes.

And sometimes when it snows
I hear it's gentle sound,
As it falls like silent thunder
Everywhere upon the ground.



And sometimes when I see you
I think I'm really seeing me,
Because sometimes life's not really
All it would seem to be.

Sometimes instead it's all gone
Sort of topsy turvey,
And sometimes right or wrong
Is not as clear as day.

Sometimes it all gets muddled
From black and white to gray,
And sometimes that path to righteousness
Just doesn't lead the way.

Then sometimes before I know it
I find me standing in the light,
Because sometimes when I get lost
You're there to set me right.

And sometimes when I think
That all in my life is gone
I look and see you standing
Waiting there within the dawn.

And sometimes when I'm feeling
That I'm running out of time,
Your love helps me see
That I can run to you sometimes........

And sometimes you will save me
And keep me safe from harm,
But sometimes you'll just guide me
And lead me by the arm.

To show me that just sometimes
I need to make my way,
And that sometimes all you can do
Is watch me falter as you pray.

For sometimes lessons learned
Come about in the hardest ways,
So that sometimes in myself
I can learn to be amazed.

But sometimes you will hold me
And at others set me free,
So that sometimes I can find my way
Back to loving me

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Hey you time!

I have been slacking in writing in my blog lately. Not that I want people to read, but more of a self-satisfaction. I have been very busy with uni stuff and hardly have anytime to think about other stuff. Was in Sydney for last week for Interview briefing and planning to spend a week or so in Sydney, Canberra and perhaps Melbourne end of this month. I can't believe that I am graduating en of this year and time really flies. Feels like I just arrive in Perth yesterday. I guess it's true that people say that life is short. Enjoy it? Ponder.



I was celebrating my 22nd birthday two weeks ago with 7 or 8 of my uni frens. Funny that I get a lot presents that I can't realy use; g-string underwear, FHM magazine, a box of condom and a JAG t-shirt. Anyway I do appreciate their gifts. Birthday comes and go and without realizing the time you are celebrating your birthday with your grandchildren already. We wanted to celebrate it at Matsuri but Li was making a sour face of not wanting to eat Japanese food. We went to Konkas instead for pizzas and chillie mussles. It was quite good there I guess.

I sincerely hope that I have more time to write in this blog. This is where that I have been most frank to myself.