YOURSAY | ‘If this were said 30, 40, 50 years ago, it might have made an impact.’

M'sians need empathy, not racial and religious superiority - Daim

David Dass: Former Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) chairperson Daim Zainuddin has said what needs to be said. No one has the right to feel superior to someone of a different race or religion.

Unfortunately, that has been the way of the world for a very long time. Those who had bigger ships and guns sailed the mighty oceans and 'discovered' other nations, planting their flags and claiming those lands for their king or emperor.

The colonisers from the West were white and Christian. The nations they claimed were populated by people who were yellow, brown and black. They were regarded as pagan or heathen or savages.

Today colonisation, as we used to know it, is a thing of the past. But the world and the people of the world are divided into rich and poor, between developed and undeveloped and those in transition. Within countries, wealth distribution is often unequal.

In Britain, society is divided by class, and in India, they are divided by language and by caste. Caste is given divine endorsement – those, who are born into a high caste and into riches, are blessed by the divine because of good deeds done in past lives.

Some cultures evolve from agrarian-based societies and are slower paced. Others are industrial and move at a faster pace. Some people are more entrepreneurial than others and accumulate wealth more efficiently.

In Malaysia, different races have moved at different paces. There are more Chinese in business than those of other races. The Chinese place a premium on education and skills training. They take risks and are prepared to sacrifice present pleasure for future gain. Others can learn from them.

In a capitalist system, we need entrepreneurs. We should not care what their race or religion is.

We should build a society that works for all.

We should develop an education system that brings out the best in our people. A system that gives them the knowledge and skills that make them creative and productive.

As Daim says, focus on the poor. Let the rich look after themselves. And for God's sake, keep religion and religious belief a private matter. Let your behaviour reflect your faith.

6th Generation Immigrant: Finally, a man with status has uttered the true and deep ills of Malaysia that happened soon after 1969, and catalysts added to this ill with new interpretations and amendments of the Constitution.

One can go further in that all Malays are born Muslims, thus superiority of religion is also allocating supremacy to the race - a poor equation.

Correct this flaw and Malaysia will be better than a growling tiger; we shall be a mauling tiger, eating up opportunities. Equality of race and religion must be allowed and truly practised.

Thinking Aloud: There are other Malay leaders who may share Daim’s views, but are afraid to be candid because they fear losing support of the Malays, especially with Umno and PAS spouting extreme racial and religious views.

There are many progressive and rational Malays who will agree with Daim, but are cowed by Umno and PAS extremists.

If only the progressive and moderate Malays speak out loudly, this country will be a better place for everybody. Otherwise, Umno and PAS will hold the country to ransom.

Fair Play: Daim, I agree with you 100 percent. But your community, notwithstanding its numerical majority, feels so insecure and more often than not must use a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Pavle Kawan: With Islam under ignorant attack from so many sides, it is wonderful to hear such a thoughtful and intelligent response.

Existential Turd: Daim, if this were said 30, 40, 50 years ago, it might have made an impact. Now, it's too little, too late.

The minorities don't believe your occasional sop to distract them from the real issues anymore.

Annonnymous 080: "There needs to be understanding and empathy across the racial divide," said Daim.

Where was he for the last 50 years when the many reigned superior over others, and continue to do so?

I am ashamed that we need to be continuously lectured by old people on morality and decency. Where are the younger generation leaders?

Anonymous19: I just wonder why these older folks keep singing songs about this. Is there any use?

Do like what Singapore does - let strict laws take care of everything, without fear or favour, so there is no need to talk endlessly. Is that rocket science?

But then again, there is no effective governmental system in place as the quality of human capital is low.

Multi Racial: The New Economic Policy (NEP) was created with the intention of helping poor Malays, but it was hijacked by the elite. So it is a mistake that needs to be corrected.

Unfortunately, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not the right man for the job as he is still harping on the issue of race. It’s time for him to pass the baton to someone who will look after all Malaysians.

The Fog of Life: If you think you are better than another simply based on race, religion or any other diverse human characteristic, you are, at best, an intolerant person who has no respect for others who are different from you.

The mindset of many Malays around the superiority of race and religion versus others, has been distorted by extremist thinking and the decades of political play by Umno to divide and rule.

We need leadership that not only strongly denounces such thinking, but makes the propagation of such ideas illegal.

Capo: Daim, talk is cheap. Judging from what is happening in our country, Mahathir is pandering to racists and bigots in the opposition.

Malaysians don't need empathy. They need a leadership who honours the word given. A leadership that respects people of all races and religions who joined forces to put them in power. A leadership that does not dictate and shove things down their throats, but listens and is sensitive to the feeling on the ground.

Before GE14, analysts, both local and international, were making wild claims that the BN regime will retain power. But people on the ground expected Pakatan Harapan to win big time. Even Mahathir didn't expect to win.

Simply because, just like you (Daim), they, too, were sitting in their ivory towers. They were not in touch with the pulse on the ground.

Citizen: If Daim really believes in what he is saying, please get rid of all those religious bigots who preach against other religions.

Hopefully, Mahathir will see the folly of controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik and get rid of him.

Kawak: Daim, do advise Mahathir. He declared many years ago that non-Malays were like "penumpang" in a host's house. They should comply with the wishes of the host.

That statement is remembered to us till today. Mahathir was responsible for ‘ketuanan Melayu’ policies which have become social norms.

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