ETHNICITY + CREED = TRUE MALAYSIANS ??

No quick fix to bridge the racial divide
Link : NST

" Racial polarisation is not new in our universities, manifesting itself in almost every facet of campus life.
Study groups are invariably mono-ethnic; students are averse to sharing hostel rooms with those of other races, and inter-racial social interaction is rare.
In a survey on ethnic relations among UUM students last year, all ethnic groups showed a distinct inclination to interact among their own race
They are also more likely to pick those of their own race as room-mates and help them in whatever way they can.
It did not help that polarisation takes root long before many first set foot into universities; the country’s diverse system of national, national-type and religious schools sets students apart at an early age……."

This article from the NST talks about fixing racial divides and how Malaysians are caught in the never ending loop of racial polarization. This (Main Stream Media) MSM has also pointed out that racial stereotyping invariably starts at an early age and changing this mindset will take more than time. It will take tremendous effort on the part of each Malaysian and the political will of the government to do this.


True Malaysians give their views on unity
Link : NST

" Reza Faisal,28, Ismel Azian Abu Bakar, 33 and Shemei Chong Abdul Aziz, 26, can claim to be more Malaysian than most.
Simply because they are of mixed parentage.
Reza’s father is Indian and his mother of Malay and Nyonya Chinese parentage.
Ismel Azian’s father is Malay and her mother is Chinese, while Shemei Chong’s father is Chinese and her mother Malay.
All three say being of mixed parentage has helped them feel Malaysian in every sense of the word and to better understand people of all races...."

This NST write-up was published below the above article – on an interview with 3 Malaysians of mixed parentage - which this MSM has claimed to be more Malaysian than most other people. There is one with an Indian father and a Malay mother, the second with a Malay father and Chinese mother and the third, a Chinese father and a Malay mother.
Ausoooooo! Now it is crystal clear! – to better understand people of different races and to be defined as more than a true Malaysian - one of our parent must have two common denominators present - a) Malay bloodline and b) Muslim.
So that makes 51% of population in Malaysia who are less then true blue.

Ariff : Malay reps not united
The Star – 27th March

" The Malay voice has drowned in the state assembly because the community is not united. Seberang Jaya assemblymen Ariff Shah Omar Shah said it was disheartening to note that some Malay assemblymen did not support Malay issues brought up during state assembly meetings….he called for non government organizations to actively bring up issues plaguing the Malays. “We hope the NGO’s will not keep mum as well. We now have to work together with NGO’s so that the voice of the Malays is heard”...."

Strangely, this YB from Penang – although possessing the two important all denominators of what it takes to be the NST defined, “True Malaysian” he seems to be less than true blue. He is officially known as a state assemblyman of N10- Seberang Jaya elected to the Penang State Assembly by Malaysians but he speaks as a representative of an ethnic group in Penang. Incidentally, the next election must be held by 2009.