Tun Dr Mahathir,
you are wrong
– An open letter to former Prime Minister
By Kuik Cheng Kang, Sin Chew Daily
The following is the full text of the open letter——
The honourable former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir,
First, congratulations on the publication of your new book Capturing Hope: The
Struggle Continues for A New Malaysia.
The name of the book offers one hope again.
This reminds me of the excitement when you led Pakatan Harapan to topple
Barisan Nasional in the 14th General Elections where people were looking
forward to a better nation. At that moment, all believed that a new Malaysia
was finally born.
The Barisan Nasional, described by you as a regime tainted with corruption and
power abuse, was finally defeated.
Due to the excitement shared by the nation, many were unable to sleep that
night.
The Chinese was even more passionate and emotional, thinking that a new
Malaysia had taken shape. The Chinese extended you and the Pakatan Harapan
strong support hoping that the country would be better under your helm the
second time. Generally, the Chinese felt that you would make use of the second
chance to rectify the errors in the 22 years when you first became the Prime
Minister.
However, the Pakatan Harapan collapsed in less than 22 months. You passed the
blame to others again, not thinking that you should shoulder some of the
responsibilities.
With your silent approval, the Malay Dignity Congress was held in 2019,
hitting out at the Chinese education that caused the Chinese, who had voted
for you, think that you burned the bridge after crossing it. You also said the
Pakatan Harapan election manifesto was not a bible. Hence, the abolishment of
toll charges, recognition of the United Examination Certificate (UEC), the
different stand on Lynas before and after the election have disappointed many
Pakatan Harapan supporters.
At the launch of your new book, you shared some of your views. More than 90%
of the Chinese voters who had voted for the Pakatan Harapan in the 14th
General Elections were upset by your views.
First, you said a single stream in education would be the best education
system for Malaysia. The existence of multiple streams hampered national unity
and the shaping of a true identity.
You said this: “In Malaysia, we have 26 to 30% of Chinese and 10% of Indians
where they maintain their culture and customs such as the Chinese eat with
chopsticks while we use hands.
“Malaysians are very accommodating people. Because of this, assimilation is
difficult for the Chinese. Instead, when the Arabs and Indians came to
Malaysia, they were assimilated as Malays where they spoke Malays and behaved
like the Malays. Hence, for the Chinese to be accepted by all, they should
learn from the Indians and Arabs to assimilate and live like the bumiputras. “
In fact, I wish to inform you that a single language is not the only tool to
unite the people. Otherwise, the Malay society would not be divided now.
Furthermore, not 100% of Malays send their children to national school. Many
Malays send their children to private schools, Chinese primary schools and
Islamic schools to study. Some financially capable ones send their children to
France, United Kingdom, Australia and other western countries for primary
schools. Hence, your allegation against Chinese education is full of bias.
Parents generally place emphasis on their children’s education and hope to
achieve some form of security for their children’s future through education.
Chinese is the same. Hence, if the government does a good job in national
education, Chinese will send their children to national primary schools
without coercion, just like how many parents sent their children to English
medium schools back then.
In addition, I would like to say the fact that the Chinese eat with chopsticks
and study in Chinese primary school do not cast negative impact on the love
and loyalty to the country. Born and raised here, Malaysian Chinese are well
versed in Malay Language. We recognise that Malaysia is our country and not
China. Strictly speaking, there are fewer local Chinese who can’t speak Malay
nowadays. Do not continue to have such stereotype on the people in your
country.”
Those described by you who refused to integrate and only have China in their
hearts are not the majority. They are unable to represent the majority of the
Chinese. Just like those extreme right wings who continue to highlight Malays
first, they do not represent the majority moderate Malays.
So, Tun Dr Mahathir, you are wrong.
Secondly, during movement control order, people of all races live in hardship.
The politicians, who should be looking after the welfare of people, are
trapped in power struggle, regardless of the well-being of the people. At this
juncture, we see many capable Malaysians from different education background
extend a helping hand to many regardless of their ethnic groups.
In order words, people of different ethnic groups live in harmony and care for
each other. There is no issue on racial unity nor language barrier. The unity
issue that you mentioned earlier is a fake issue. In fact, politicians like
you are the main culprit, not the type of schools. In reality, there are many
people who actually work on fostering national integration. Instead,
politicians are the ones who continue to divide the people with half-truth
racist remarks.
Please do not have the narrow thinking of treating Chinese education as a
grain of sand in your eye. Instead, multiple streams in education should be
seen as the advantage of the nation. For many years, multiple streams in
education had groomed many talents, including the Malays. These talents are
shining at international arena and are proud Malaysians.
So, Tun Dr Mahathir, you are wrong.
You also said that in order to progress, we should learn to accept a single
identity, not Malays, Chinese or Indians but Malaysians. We totally agree with
you on this.
You cited United States as an example. You said: Look at US, who are
Americans? They speak American English, embrace American culture, love US and
even see their country of origin as an enemy. They go to battle field when
necessary, regardless of their names. Your name could have reflected Dutch,
German or Kenya descent but all these are not important because you are an
American. Can we have the similar approach to be Malaysians? “
However, I feel that you have too many biased views and misunderstanding about
the local Chinese.
Since independence until today, the racial harmony that we enjoy is shaped
naturally through mutual understanding, mutual respect and tolerance through
interactions in daily lives but not assimilation. The diversity, inclusion and
tolerance that we enjoy have been the scenic landscape of Malaysia.
I wish to say that the younger generation of Chinese may keep their culture
and mother tongue but they regard themselves as Malaysians. Instead,
politicians are the ones who repeatedly shout about national integration but
continue to tarnish the fundamentals of unity with their actions. For
instance, the sudden announcement of converting national language to Malay
language to highlight Malays first. Some of the Malay politicians continue to
stress Malays come first and not Malaysian first.
Then you take US as an example to say that despite having a black president,
please take a look at the blacks who speak fluent American English in US. How
is their fate?
Tun Dr Mahathir, you are wrong again.
At last, you drag Sin Chew Daily into the muddle by saying that Sin Chew Daily
continue to attack DAP which leads to Pakatan Harapan losing support from the
Chinese community. You cited this as one of the factors.
On this, I feel that you have overstated. Maybe there are someone continue to
demonise Sin Chew Daily before you that lead you to have such perception.
Based on the state poll results in Malacca, the Chinese are still supporting
DAP.
As a privately-owned newspaper, Sin Chew Daily has been playing the role as
the fourth power in the past, at present and in the future. We support and
agree with good policies while we, without fear, criticise policies which harm
the fundamentals of the state including the rights of the Chinese community.
The story of a demonised Sin Chew Daily may include the allegation of
frequently sensationalising racial issues. To prevent you from being misled
further, I would take this opportunity to share the editorial policy of Sin
Chew Daily with you that apart from being transparent in handling news to
offer a balanced and fair coverage, we insist on running the newspaper in a
proper manner, upholding journalistic standard, values and ethics. We do not
sell newspapers by sensationalising news nor infringing privacy of others. At
the same time, our editorial policy also covers giving emphasis to national
integration, creating a society with positive energy through media influence.
Sin Chew Daily is a responsible local newspaper.
Hence, Tun Dr Mahathir, as a smart person, how do you end up being fooled by
those with an evil heart?
It is getting late at night after penning my thoughts.
I hope that when I wake up tomorrow, Malaysia will be a better place because
this is my country and where my home is.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Sin Chew Daily editor-in-chief
KUIK CHENG KANG
The following is a screenshot of the front-page headline of Sin Chew Daily dated 14-Dec 2021:
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