Keeping the Keris in its Sheath

I laud PM Najib’s announcement on the abolishment of Bumiputera quotas and the setting up of meritocracy based scholarship programme. I will be branded a traitor for saying that. If Shahidan Kassim finds out, he might call for my expulsion from the Malay race like he did to Zaid Ibrahim.

The announcement came as quite a surprise to me as I wondered what happened to Najib’s war cry some twenty two years ago when he said blood will be spilled if Malay rights are challenged (his infamous “Soak (the keris) in Chinese blood” battlecry in 1987). I guess that’s what you would call adapting to change, different times calls for different measures.

Some Malay non-UMNO (and ex-UMNO) politicians have been accused of selling their souls to the Chinese, Jews etc for calling for the abolishment of Bumiputera quotas. UMNO Youth is usually the first to crucify anyone, Malay or otherwise, for suggesting the removal of Bumiputera quotas but this time, they were relatively quiet. Former leader Hishamuddin’s keris antics (pic) were directed precisely at those questioning Malay rights (removing quotas is considered as challenging Malay rights)

Another bewildering statement came from PAS the Islamic party. No, not the secret talks with the “kuffar” UMNO but their stand on maintaining the quotas. I have always regarded PAS as an Islamic party first and a Malay party second. The only reason I consider them a “Malay” party is because a majority of their members are Malays but in actual fact the party cannot be considered Malay at all by virtue of them accepting people like Annuar Tan and Idham Lim as full party members. So, PAS is an Islamic party and not a Malay party and therefore they should subscribe to the Islamic ideals of justice and equity which means unfair quotas is a big NO-NO.

Why do I laud PM Najib’s announcement? No, I haven’t sold my soul to some foreign race or the CIA or Al-Qaeda. We live in a “borderless” world where the invisible hand is playing a more effective role in resource allocation. In this globalised, flat world we live in today, protectionist policies will only serve to stifle growth. Unfair policies will dissuade effort and innovation and create disloyalty. Why do you think Malaysia suffers from a brain drain? Not only talent are leaving Malaysia but big local businesses are also moving overseas not only because of expansion and diversification but also because protectionist policies are limiting their opportunities to participate in the Malaysian economy forcing them to bring their talents, capital and efforts elsewhere. In the end the whole country suffers.

Many will ask, “Where do the Malays go from here?” That is a stupid question, it is insulting. The Malays are more than able to fend for themselves in this highly competitive world and the removal of the “crutches” (to quote ex PM Dr. M) will make them even more resilient to face global challenges.