Degradation…Text book insults Indian community in Malaysia. A Book Titled: INTERLOK
It was a rude awakening, Interlok a Malay literature book, was supposed to be introduced in school as a core subject. This book was written by a national laureate, Abdullah Hussein. The controversy stems from the use of racial slurs, which the author included to reflect the social reality during the period depicted in the novel. Several groups claimed that the novel contains elements deemed offensive to the Indian community, and it also gives a negative and distorted view of the Indians. Therefore, its use in the schools would make the other communities look down on the Indians.
More than 100 NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) under the Malay Consultative Council (MPM) have essentially said that the minority Indians are angry with them because they have shown their unhappiness with the use of the book Interlok as a school text book. Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Prof Emeritus Datuk, Dr. Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, the deputy director of University Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of the Malay World and Civilization urged politicians and academicians to sit together and discuss the content of the novel to dispel any negative perceptions towards it. But sadly, it fell on deaf ears.
It was 27th of February 2011; the march was supposed to start on at 9am, beginning at the Renaissance Hotel in Jalan Ampang, before passing through KLCC (also known as the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest twin buildings in the world) and later making its way to the Dang Wangi Police Headquarters. On the other hand, there were severe restrictions by police, including arrests of main leaders, to make sure that the march never took off as planned. It wasn’t able to begin until the demonstrators re-gathered at the compound of the Kottumalai Pillayar Temple. Initially a small crowd of Indians recited ‘Haramkan Interlok, jangan hina kaum India’ (Ban Interlok, don’t insult Indians), while accompanied by Kota Alam Shah Congress leader, M. Manoharan. But when the crowd began marching to the Dang Wangi police headquarters, the crowd quickly expanded to some 200 Indians. There, temple-goers joined in the reciting and picked up banners condemning the novel, while most of them were heard one temple-goer saying, “We have nothing to lose now, let them arrest, if they want to arrest us, they need to do to all of us. Let’s see how far they can go,” Eventually, 109 were arrested and jailed under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act for gathering in an illegal assembly, and under the Societies Act. In the evening, 101 were released. However, eight others, believed to be leaders of HINDRAF, the banned Hindu Rights Action Force, and the Human Rights Party, were under investigation.
In Northern Africa and the Middle-East, we are seeing a revolution as people stand up to re-claim their rights. Here, Malaysian Indians through Human rights movement called Hindraf Makkal Sakthi (HINDRAF), and its political division Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRPM), are fighting to hold on to their dignity against a piece of literature which is humiliating the Indians. Interlok is an issue quite recently encountered by the Malaysia education ministry on Malay literature that involves the issue of Pariah’s (Indian untouchable caste) in this country. But its impact on the Indian community at large was obvious as the Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRPM) aimed to organise this biggest anti-Interlok march. The Malay-language novel Interlok was assigned as a literature textbook for 17-year-old students this year. First published in 1971, it tells the stories of three families which are Malay, Chinese and Indian, reflecting Malaysia’s main ethnic groups in British colonial times.
Some Indians complained about a portion of the book involving a poor man from India’s “Pariah caste” who migrates to Malaya (now known as Malaysia) to find work and is surprised at the absence of a caste system. They says it unfairly depicts Indians, who make up about 8 percent of Malaysia’s 28 million people, as coming from inferior communities and contributes to ethnic tension and discrimination. Under the Indian caste system, Hindus are divided into four main castes according to their line of work. Although the system is banned in India, it is still practiced in villages. Malaysian Indians do not follow with most of their ancestors traditions; the caste system is largely obsolete here in Malaysia. Here are some of the lines quoted from the novel which clearly stereotypes to smear the entire Indian community in Malaysia:-
1. “Maniam seperti orang India yang lain, tidak pernah khuatir tentang keselamatan isterinya.” (218) (Maniam is just like any Indian, did not worry about his wife’s safety.)
2. “Mereka yang dari arah ke utara sedikit bercakap bahasa Malayalam atau Telugu, tetapi hampir semuanya tahu bahasa Tamil. Malayalam dan Telugu pun berasal dari satu rumpun bahasa Dravidia. Satu perkara besar yang membuatkan mereka senang berkaul adalah kerana mereka tergolong dalam satu kasta Paria.” (211) (They are from the north, some spoke in Malayalam or Telugu, but almost everyone knows Tamil language. Malayalam and Telugu are from the same root of the Dravidian language. The common thing about them interacting without any hassle is that they belong to the same caste known as “Pariah”. The reason all Indians in Malaysia can get along so well is because we are all Pariahs.)
3. “Mereka berasak-asak seperti kambing.” (211) (They rushed like goats.)
4. “Dia tidak sahaja dimaki hamun dengan kata-kata yang kesat, malah disisihkan daripada masyarakat sehingga dirinya dan orang-orang yang sekasta dengannya menjadi lebih hina daripada.” (219) (Not only was he scolded with words of vulgarity, he was also humiliated and segregated from society together with the people from the same caste.)
5. “Apatah pula lembu ialah binatang suci bagi orang Hindu; dan kalau binatang itu mati, seperti ibunya sendiri yang mati.” (220) (Since cows are considered sacred for the Hindus; and if the cow dies, it is just like his mother had died.)
6. “Tidak makan tengah hari tidak mendatangkan masalah, asalkan dia dapat mengunyah sirihnya seperti lembu atau kambing memamah biak.” (224) (He is not bothered whether he takes his lunch, as long he can munch on his beetle leaf like how the cows and goats munch their food.)
The (HRPM) pro tem secretary-general and the legal advisor of (HINDRAF), P. Uthayakumar, said, “If anyone can prove that there is even one country in the world more racist than Malaysia, we stand corrected. By racist, we don’t mean the people, but the government, the ruling party, the ruling elite, the system and the establishment. We don’t want to politicize anything. We are here to speak the truth, highlight injustices and violations of human rights. The government has to decide whether to hear the pleas or otherwise and at what cost. The rally is more than Interlok; it will focus on racism, racial prejudice and racial polarization in the country.”
The minority Malaysian Indian communities have suffered terrifically under the racist policies implemented by the UMNO (United Malay National Organization) ruled the Government since independence and their condition is worsened as most are from low paid working class group. This community is left with no other choice but to raise their grievance in justifiable ways. The Government realizes that Hindraf Makkal Sakthi (HINDRF) and the Human Rights Party (HRPM) is opening a new dimension in the outlook of Malaysians in the area of human rights and have changed the political equations, and thus as usual have taken the most extreme method of clamping down these human rights defenders by pressing criminal charges upon them. This is a transparent abuse of power and human rights. The Feb 27 rally and other similar events throughout Peninsular Malaysia would press for the opening of an Anti-Racism Act to set up an Anti-Racism Commission. The rally will also push for an equal rights and equal opportunities act to facilitate and translate the law into action. At first, there were 140 Indian NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) that supported the call for the withdrawal of Interlok. Now, it is 250 Indian NGO’s representing some 500,000 Indians.
Interlok was not serving its purpose of helping to unify students, yet, is sowing the seeds of racism in school going children. In the beginning, the book was introduced to create harmony and national unity; but now it is definitely producing division between students and teachers. Instead being a place for education, it turned out to be an unsociable environment between Malay teachers and Indian students. The learning process has become bad. It is also making the teaching and learning process very difficult because Malay teachers will have to address the Indian students and the Indian teachers will have to address the Malay students on this issue. An incident took place in January this year, when the headmistress used the same word “Pariah” before her students at the assembly; so when she was asked where she got the word from? She said is from “Interlok,”.
The objection to the Interlok novel is not a matter concerning just only one community; it is a national issue involving everyone who cares for national unity. They are not asking for special rights but only for an equal opportunity. At one point, I too like many Malaysians believed that (HINDRAF) is a racist organisation. But as the day goes by, it is becoming clearer what they are fighting for. They may be seen as savage, yet, that does not matter. Why is this happening and who is looking into this issue to ensure it does not happen again? UMNO’s callousness has to be put to an end. Many know what HINDRAF has done but are tentative about speaking up for them. Put all the human rights workers together and this group outshines them, yet they are called racist by the civil societies who are uncomfortable with HINDRAF because of the economic comfort they enjoy in Malaysia. They tried various methods to destabilize them; from calling them terrorists to breaking them up from within. But nothing worked. The poor and the underclass are with them.
Malaysia today has emerged as the world’s most racist and religious supremacist country and the world’s only and last remaining apartheid regime, but very little known to the world at large because of UMNO’s very brilliant media political propaganda. The (HINDRAF) rally was to call for an end to “UMNO’s Racism” as well as seeking a ban on the controversial textbook Interlok. Malaysia’s refusal to allow the HINDRAF rally to take place is an act of arrogance and disrespect. The Malaysian government’s commitment to diversity and development is betrayed when it refuses to permit peaceful criticism of its policies and programmes. If this matter does not come to an end, I suppose, there will be more rallies that have to be organized and evidently not to be traumatized about it.
This shows that UMNO, the government is not ready to accept the truth about them playing the role of the master and the rest of the ethnic groups as their slaves. It is so apparent in their policies, be it in financial sector right up to the education system, they have manipulated and made it into a quota system, thus depriving other ethnic group the excess to proper living and education. Even in the civil sector, the malays control the main positions in all the ministries citing that official functions attended by the King can only be attended by malay officers. Though they are there in the main stream positions, but they are there without merits. There are Chinese, Indians and many other ethnic groups besides the malays, who are more qualified and more intelligent than the malays, but they can only play second fiddle to the malay supremacy.
The idea government implemented through its former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, who had a fore sight of building a new rich and educated malay society, but to his dismay, it back fired when the so called selected new rich malay society wanted more from the government. The social contract between the malays and the non-malays was actually draw up by the first PM, Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who wanted the malays to prosper through a planned called the Fisrt Malaysia Plan. Such was the case in Stalin’s Russia. Stalin implemented a series of Five Year Plans in an effort to build up the industrial might of the Soviet Union. Production quotas were constantly announced well before they had been reached in order to supply the illusion that the Five Year Plan was working. But before the Five Year Plan had run its course, another Five Year Plan was announced. Hopefully, you can intuit the psychological necessity of such an act on Stalin’s part. So, for the past 53 years the government has done its level best to help the to gain wealth through its doctrine of “MELAYU MISKIN” (Malays are poor), this resulting the non-malays to revolt against the government.
They need the plot to go on without any failure, thus creating animosity between its non-malay society. By conjuring non relevant issues like Interlok, calling the Chinese immigrants and saying that this country belongs to them. We see here that the history was distorted from the very beginning, by the first PM right up to now, the sixth PM. Hindraf what’s to put a stop to all this for once. The social contract should be re written so that the non s can also enjoy the privilege’s this country has to offer. We to have built the country with our own bare hands, so why shouldn’t we enjoy just like the malays do. All the non s what is equal opportunity and easy excess to education.
Interlok is an issue that might bring the country to a standstill if the government does not arrest the issue with utmost importance. Though the Indian community is small in number, but the whole world is looking at it as a bias issue brought about by the government of Malaysia to split the Indian community. If Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak wants the nation to hold as one, then he has got a heavy task of persuading the malay folks to accept the fact that the Interlok book should be withdrawn from the school syllables. That the non s should be given rights and privileges just like the malays
“Not many Thais will notice about Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul 13 years sentence since most news outlet will never report about the case thus very limit number of people will even know about it. Worst, some might actually despite him.” It’s been reported by The Nation, Manager, Prachatai and Daily News at least, that I’ve seen. Notably most comments by Thai Nation readers I’ve seen are celebratory. It’s quite sickening really, I mean it’s one thing to argue the law is necessary to protect the King, but it’s another thing to be delighted about the sentence and seeing a man’s life destroyed. Although if you argue that these laws are necessary, then I suppose it follows that you’d be satisfied to see that the laws are working properly and people are being jailed & silenced.
Anyway, as Nick notes, the law does nothing to protect the King and is just another step towards a republic, I’d suggest.
What’s there left to say about Thailand’s “Democrat Party” led by the Eton/Oxford UK citizen Abhisit……….poor showing, poor form, dragging the Thailand brand into the sewer…..making Thaksin in retrospect look like a “shining beacon of hope”.
Thirteen years hard prison time for a family man and father who neither posted the supposed LM comments or even administered the website in question.
It’s is shameful…..too bad Mr. Abhisit appears to have no shame….
I think Najib deserves to get an honorary degree provided he divorces rosmah mansor, the evil lady! The public know that Najib is so scared to do anything to rosmah as she knows a lot of najib’s secrets!
If Najib continues to be the PM of Malaysia for the next 5 years, rosmah will be like emilda marcos.
Corruption in Malaysia? what corruption? There’s no corruption in Malaysia! Haven’t you people heard? In Malaysia any payment made “extraneously” for Govt. Contracts/Tenders etc. are known as “Commissions” and as in any other legitimate business, Commissions payable are perfectly legal! Even in the legal fraternity there are such thing as an “Introducer’s Fees’! So where is the corruption? 😉
I think UMNO before Mahathir is not that bad. Mahathir had changed UMNO from teachers oriented to business oriented. the mind of the (malay) teachers are simple and easy that is “to help the poor, to help the orang kampung”. but the mind of (malay) businessman is to be instant millionaire by robbing public monies.
Since it is too late to reform EC (UMNO) so better change the government in the next GE-13!
I think corruption in Malaysia is getting worst. Look at the ‘open’ tender system whereby most of the time companies belong to the same group of people (cronies) will win the tender. But when they fail to deliver, the government (Malaysia) will only blacklist the company (not the owner/cronies). The owner still enjoy more and more projects. So no wonders why so many projects fail in Malaysia.
Look at computer lab (in government school) projects, Multi-media Super Corridor (MSC), smart school projects, telemedicine, Islam Hadhari, MRT2, etc. billions of dollars of public monies went into the pocket of cronies!
I expect that many who would otherwise find little common cause with radical Reds will be deeply perplexed, and even angered, by this decision.
I might be a bit pessimistic here, but I have to disagree with you on this. Not many Thais will notice about Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul 13 years sentence since most news outlet will never report about the case thus very limit number of people will even know about it. Worst, some might actually despite him.
However, I do agree with it will previde ammunition for those who against the law and thus word of mouth will have to be the only mean of spreading the news.
Just noticed it , do you have any idea what kind of distinguishing mark the red coloured sleeves on the prisoners uniform worn by Da and Num represents.
“Ordinary” prisoners don’t seem to have any sign like that on their “suit”.
Another stake in the murdered spirit of democracy in Thailand. Playing Voodoo on the dead!
By true Buddhism measures, those engineering such sentences have a lot to answer for.
Thantawut “Num” Thaweevarodomkul of the NorPorChorUSA website was today sentenced to 13 years in prison – 10 years for lese majeste, and 3 years for violations against the cyber crime act. Prachatai staff observed the sentencing, i had no time to attend.
It’s time for change! Malaysia desperately needs responsible leaders in Parliament and the State Assemblies. The current electoral process is rigged in favor of the incumbents. Voters are bought off with taxpayers money , voters are races divided into races causing minorities to loose out, threats of another May13 are constantly made, minority races who are forced to work, study and live are denied the right to vote, there is gerrymandering, the legitimate elected state government of Perak was brought down through abuse of state machinery and royalty,etc, etc.
It’s time Bersih takes to the street again! This time, with the supportof 4 Opposition state governments and on the back of the wave of revolt sweeping oppressive states around the world!
There is no will power to improve the corruption rating in Malaysia. It is well entrenched in the system that it takes a few generations of good upbringing and educating before we see any improvements.
“The New Zealand Trades Enterprise Limited mentioned in this story is not connected to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in any way, and NZTE is not involved with this development. We are not aware of any New Zealand companies involved in the project either.”
A pity. I wanted to get a job working on an artificial mountain in Burma.
This has just been sent to me by the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. A talk like this could not happen without extremely – extremely – high authority. It may indicate that – at long last – really genuine moves towards national reconciliation are happening.
Thailand’s Diplomacy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
An evening conversation with Dr Kantathi Suphamonkhon
8pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Members: Free Non Members: 300 baht
Since the 2006 coup, Thailand’s efforts to rebuild its image and role as an international leader have been assailed on all sides. With elected governments felled by its courts, national politics have become a backdrop to divided administrations, color-coded factional street protests, airport closures, collapsed international summits, and a dramatic military crackdown.
Yet with British-educated Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presented as the international statesman, Thailand has sought to re-establish its credentials. Included in G20 meetings, Thailand has sought a greater role in ASEAN’s affairs, UN missions and even anti-piracy patrols off Somalia. Last month, as clashes with Cambodia continued, drawing in the UN Security Council, Thailand has extended an invitation to US President Barack Obama to visit later this year.
But just how well has Thailand fared in rebuilding its international credentials?
US-educated former foreign minister of Thailand and now Professor of Law and Diplomacy at UCLA, Dr Kantathi Suphamonkhon will reflect on some of the issues that beset the government today by drawing on his foreign policy and experience while he was foreign minister. This includes his roles in facilitating the Six Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula while in Pyongyang; persuading Myanmar not to chair ASEAN; the formation of the East Asia Summit (EAS); as well as his overall success in putting the world on notice that Thailand was an active and constructive player in global and regional diplomacy.
Dr. Kantathi was a career diplomat who served as Thailand’s representative to the UN before entering politics in 1995. He also served as Special Adviser to Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. At the political level, Dr. Kantathi served as Foreign Affairs Adviser to Prime Ministers Kriangsak Chomanan and Banhan Silapa-acha. He was also Adviser to Industry Minister Chaiwat Sinsuwong. At the cabinet level, Dr. Kantathi was Thailand’s Trade Representative from 2001 until March 2005 when he became Thailand’s 39th Minister of Foreign Affairs. On September 9, 2006, Dr. Kantathi was the only cabinet member traveling with then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on his last flight out of Thailand as Prime Minister. The coup took place 10 days later. Dr. Kantathi will share with FCCT members his unique insights on Thailand and its diplomacy during this important and challenging period in its history
Thats the problem with the political system in Malaysia. We do not have a check and balance system here. The opposition are so divided with each party fighting for power. Malaysians are relatively in matured as for as the 2 party system is concerned. Although we are seeing a very slight change in the attitude with the younger generations. Hope the younger generation will make a different and see a stronger opposition in the very near future. Time to build this two party system is running out if we Malaysians do not want to do too much catching up too much.
[…] the nine gifts the government is generously buying “all Thais” with their tax money (see this interesting piece). Included in that programme is an expansion of the social security system to 24 million workers in […]
The Anwar sodomy trial is a sham from the word go. “Not looking good for Anwar” is a superfluous statement. Assumming two person is needed for a “sodomy”, why is only one party charged? Alternatively, how was a 60+ years old many with a bad back able to force himself onto a 6ft+ 20 something. As far as I can ascertain, there was no “bondage” mentioned!
As for PM, assumming only a Malay can be PM, then Khalid, current MB for Selangor, would not be a bad choice. Otherwise, let Khairil have a go – not so much “old” baggage.
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In Malaysia, “Rakyat Reform Agenda” only way forward for opposition
Degradation…Text book insults Indian community in Malaysia. A Book Titled: INTERLOK
It was a rude awakening, Interlok a Malay literature book, was supposed to be introduced in school as a core subject. This book was written by a national laureate, Abdullah Hussein. The controversy stems from the use of racial slurs, which the author included to reflect the social reality during the period depicted in the novel. Several groups claimed that the novel contains elements deemed offensive to the Indian community, and it also gives a negative and distorted view of the Indians. Therefore, its use in the schools would make the other communities look down on the Indians.
More than 100 NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) under the Malay Consultative Council (MPM) have essentially said that the minority Indians are angry with them because they have shown their unhappiness with the use of the book Interlok as a school text book. Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Prof Emeritus Datuk, Dr. Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, the deputy director of University Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of the Malay World and Civilization urged politicians and academicians to sit together and discuss the content of the novel to dispel any negative perceptions towards it. But sadly, it fell on deaf ears.
It was 27th of February 2011; the march was supposed to start on at 9am, beginning at the Renaissance Hotel in Jalan Ampang, before passing through KLCC (also known as the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest twin buildings in the world) and later making its way to the Dang Wangi Police Headquarters. On the other hand, there were severe restrictions by police, including arrests of main leaders, to make sure that the march never took off as planned. It wasn’t able to begin until the demonstrators re-gathered at the compound of the Kottumalai Pillayar Temple. Initially a small crowd of Indians recited ‘Haramkan Interlok, jangan hina kaum India’ (Ban Interlok, don’t insult Indians), while accompanied by Kota Alam Shah Congress leader, M. Manoharan. But when the crowd began marching to the Dang Wangi police headquarters, the crowd quickly expanded to some 200 Indians. There, temple-goers joined in the reciting and picked up banners condemning the novel, while most of them were heard one temple-goer saying, “We have nothing to lose now, let them arrest, if they want to arrest us, they need to do to all of us. Let’s see how far they can go,” Eventually, 109 were arrested and jailed under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act for gathering in an illegal assembly, and under the Societies Act. In the evening, 101 were released. However, eight others, believed to be leaders of HINDRAF, the banned Hindu Rights Action Force, and the Human Rights Party, were under investigation.
In Northern Africa and the Middle-East, we are seeing a revolution as people stand up to re-claim their rights. Here, Malaysian Indians through Human rights movement called Hindraf Makkal Sakthi (HINDRAF), and its political division Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRPM), are fighting to hold on to their dignity against a piece of literature which is humiliating the Indians. Interlok is an issue quite recently encountered by the Malaysia education ministry on Malay literature that involves the issue of Pariah’s (Indian untouchable caste) in this country. But its impact on the Indian community at large was obvious as the Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRPM) aimed to organise this biggest anti-Interlok march. The Malay-language novel Interlok was assigned as a literature textbook for 17-year-old students this year. First published in 1971, it tells the stories of three families which are Malay, Chinese and Indian, reflecting Malaysia’s main ethnic groups in British colonial times.
Some Indians complained about a portion of the book involving a poor man from India’s “Pariah caste” who migrates to Malaya (now known as Malaysia) to find work and is surprised at the absence of a caste system. They says it unfairly depicts Indians, who make up about 8 percent of Malaysia’s 28 million people, as coming from inferior communities and contributes to ethnic tension and discrimination. Under the Indian caste system, Hindus are divided into four main castes according to their line of work. Although the system is banned in India, it is still practiced in villages. Malaysian Indians do not follow with most of their ancestors traditions; the caste system is largely obsolete here in Malaysia. Here are some of the lines quoted from the novel which clearly stereotypes to smear the entire Indian community in Malaysia:-
1. “Maniam seperti orang India yang lain, tidak pernah khuatir tentang keselamatan isterinya.” (218) (Maniam is just like any Indian, did not worry about his wife’s safety.)
2. “Mereka yang dari arah ke utara sedikit bercakap bahasa Malayalam atau Telugu, tetapi hampir semuanya tahu bahasa Tamil. Malayalam dan Telugu pun berasal dari satu rumpun bahasa Dravidia. Satu perkara besar yang membuatkan mereka senang berkaul adalah kerana mereka tergolong dalam satu kasta Paria.” (211) (They are from the north, some spoke in Malayalam or Telugu, but almost everyone knows Tamil language. Malayalam and Telugu are from the same root of the Dravidian language. The common thing about them interacting without any hassle is that they belong to the same caste known as “Pariah”. The reason all Indians in Malaysia can get along so well is because we are all Pariahs.)
3. “Mereka berasak-asak seperti kambing.” (211) (They rushed like goats.)
4. “Dia tidak sahaja dimaki hamun dengan kata-kata yang kesat, malah disisihkan daripada masyarakat sehingga dirinya dan orang-orang yang sekasta dengannya menjadi lebih hina daripada.” (219) (Not only was he scolded with words of vulgarity, he was also humiliated and segregated from society together with the people from the same caste.)
5. “Apatah pula lembu ialah binatang suci bagi orang Hindu; dan kalau binatang itu mati, seperti ibunya sendiri yang mati.” (220) (Since cows are considered sacred for the Hindus; and if the cow dies, it is just like his mother had died.)
6. “Tidak makan tengah hari tidak mendatangkan masalah, asalkan dia dapat mengunyah sirihnya seperti lembu atau kambing memamah biak.” (224) (He is not bothered whether he takes his lunch, as long he can munch on his beetle leaf like how the cows and goats munch their food.)
The (HRPM) pro tem secretary-general and the legal advisor of (HINDRAF), P. Uthayakumar, said, “If anyone can prove that there is even one country in the world more racist than Malaysia, we stand corrected. By racist, we don’t mean the people, but the government, the ruling party, the ruling elite, the system and the establishment. We don’t want to politicize anything. We are here to speak the truth, highlight injustices and violations of human rights. The government has to decide whether to hear the pleas or otherwise and at what cost. The rally is more than Interlok; it will focus on racism, racial prejudice and racial polarization in the country.”
The minority Malaysian Indian communities have suffered terrifically under the racist policies implemented by the UMNO (United Malay National Organization) ruled the Government since independence and their condition is worsened as most are from low paid working class group. This community is left with no other choice but to raise their grievance in justifiable ways. The Government realizes that Hindraf Makkal Sakthi (HINDRF) and the Human Rights Party (HRPM) is opening a new dimension in the outlook of Malaysians in the area of human rights and have changed the political equations, and thus as usual have taken the most extreme method of clamping down these human rights defenders by pressing criminal charges upon them. This is a transparent abuse of power and human rights. The Feb 27 rally and other similar events throughout Peninsular Malaysia would press for the opening of an Anti-Racism Act to set up an Anti-Racism Commission. The rally will also push for an equal rights and equal opportunities act to facilitate and translate the law into action. At first, there were 140 Indian NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) that supported the call for the withdrawal of Interlok. Now, it is 250 Indian NGO’s representing some 500,000 Indians.
Interlok was not serving its purpose of helping to unify students, yet, is sowing the seeds of racism in school going children. In the beginning, the book was introduced to create harmony and national unity; but now it is definitely producing division between students and teachers. Instead being a place for education, it turned out to be an unsociable environment between Malay teachers and Indian students. The learning process has become bad. It is also making the teaching and learning process very difficult because Malay teachers will have to address the Indian students and the Indian teachers will have to address the Malay students on this issue. An incident took place in January this year, when the headmistress used the same word “Pariah” before her students at the assembly; so when she was asked where she got the word from? She said is from “Interlok,”.
The objection to the Interlok novel is not a matter concerning just only one community; it is a national issue involving everyone who cares for national unity. They are not asking for special rights but only for an equal opportunity. At one point, I too like many Malaysians believed that (HINDRAF) is a racist organisation. But as the day goes by, it is becoming clearer what they are fighting for. They may be seen as savage, yet, that does not matter. Why is this happening and who is looking into this issue to ensure it does not happen again? UMNO’s callousness has to be put to an end. Many know what HINDRAF has done but are tentative about speaking up for them. Put all the human rights workers together and this group outshines them, yet they are called racist by the civil societies who are uncomfortable with HINDRAF because of the economic comfort they enjoy in Malaysia. They tried various methods to destabilize them; from calling them terrorists to breaking them up from within. But nothing worked. The poor and the underclass are with them.
Malaysia today has emerged as the world’s most racist and religious supremacist country and the world’s only and last remaining apartheid regime, but very little known to the world at large because of UMNO’s very brilliant media political propaganda. The (HINDRAF) rally was to call for an end to “UMNO’s Racism” as well as seeking a ban on the controversial textbook Interlok. Malaysia’s refusal to allow the HINDRAF rally to take place is an act of arrogance and disrespect. The Malaysian government’s commitment to diversity and development is betrayed when it refuses to permit peaceful criticism of its policies and programmes. If this matter does not come to an end, I suppose, there will be more rallies that have to be organized and evidently not to be traumatized about it.
This shows that UMNO, the government is not ready to accept the truth about them playing the role of the master and the rest of the ethnic groups as their slaves. It is so apparent in their policies, be it in financial sector right up to the education system, they have manipulated and made it into a quota system, thus depriving other ethnic group the excess to proper living and education. Even in the civil sector, the malays control the main positions in all the ministries citing that official functions attended by the King can only be attended by malay officers. Though they are there in the main stream positions, but they are there without merits. There are Chinese, Indians and many other ethnic groups besides the malays, who are more qualified and more intelligent than the malays, but they can only play second fiddle to the malay supremacy.
The idea government implemented through its former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, who had a fore sight of building a new rich and educated malay society, but to his dismay, it back fired when the so called selected new rich malay society wanted more from the government. The social contract between the malays and the non-malays was actually draw up by the first PM, Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who wanted the malays to prosper through a planned called the Fisrt Malaysia Plan. Such was the case in Stalin’s Russia. Stalin implemented a series of Five Year Plans in an effort to build up the industrial might of the Soviet Union. Production quotas were constantly announced well before they had been reached in order to supply the illusion that the Five Year Plan was working. But before the Five Year Plan had run its course, another Five Year Plan was announced. Hopefully, you can intuit the psychological necessity of such an act on Stalin’s part. So, for the past 53 years the government has done its level best to help the to gain wealth through its doctrine of “MELAYU MISKIN” (Malays are poor), this resulting the non-malays to revolt against the government.
They need the plot to go on without any failure, thus creating animosity between its non-malay society. By conjuring non relevant issues like Interlok, calling the Chinese immigrants and saying that this country belongs to them. We see here that the history was distorted from the very beginning, by the first PM right up to now, the sixth PM. Hindraf what’s to put a stop to all this for once. The social contract should be re written so that the non s can also enjoy the privilege’s this country has to offer. We to have built the country with our own bare hands, so why shouldn’t we enjoy just like the malays do. All the non s what is equal opportunity and easy excess to education.
Interlok is an issue that might bring the country to a standstill if the government does not arrest the issue with utmost importance. Though the Indian community is small in number, but the whole world is looking at it as a bias issue brought about by the government of Malaysia to split the Indian community. If Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak wants the nation to hold as one, then he has got a heavy task of persuading the malay folks to accept the fact that the Interlok book should be withdrawn from the school syllables. That the non s should be given rights and privileges just like the malays
Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul gets 13 years
“Not many Thais will notice about Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul 13 years sentence since most news outlet will never report about the case thus very limit number of people will even know about it. Worst, some might actually despite him.” It’s been reported by The Nation, Manager, Prachatai and Daily News at least, that I’ve seen. Notably most comments by Thai Nation readers I’ve seen are celebratory. It’s quite sickening really, I mean it’s one thing to argue the law is necessary to protect the King, but it’s another thing to be delighted about the sentence and seeing a man’s life destroyed. Although if you argue that these laws are necessary, then I suppose it follows that you’d be satisfied to see that the laws are working properly and people are being jailed & silenced.
Anyway, as Nick notes, the law does nothing to protect the King and is just another step towards a republic, I’d suggest.
Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul gets 13 years
Sentencing Kenny and his young son to 13 years of mysery is a crime in itself. Shame on those who think this is justice. We love you Kenny!
Always with you Kenny.
Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul gets 13 years
What’s there left to say about Thailand’s “Democrat Party” led by the Eton/Oxford UK citizen Abhisit……….poor showing, poor form, dragging the Thailand brand into the sewer…..making Thaksin in retrospect look like a “shining beacon of hope”.
Thirteen years hard prison time for a family man and father who neither posted the supposed LM comments or even administered the website in question.
It’s is shameful…..too bad Mr. Abhisit appears to have no shame….
Najib to receive honorary degree from Monash
I think Najib deserves to get an honorary degree provided he divorces rosmah mansor, the evil lady! The public know that Najib is so scared to do anything to rosmah as she knows a lot of najib’s secrets!
If Najib continues to be the PM of Malaysia for the next 5 years, rosmah will be like emilda marcos.
Expats share their views on corruption in Malaysia
Corruption in Malaysia? what corruption? There’s no corruption in Malaysia! Haven’t you people heard? In Malaysia any payment made “extraneously” for Govt. Contracts/Tenders etc. are known as “Commissions” and as in any other legitimate business, Commissions payable are perfectly legal! Even in the legal fraternity there are such thing as an “Introducer’s Fees’! So where is the corruption? 😉
Towards electoral reform in Malaysia
I think UMNO before Mahathir is not that bad. Mahathir had changed UMNO from teachers oriented to business oriented. the mind of the (malay) teachers are simple and easy that is “to help the poor, to help the orang kampung”. but the mind of (malay) businessman is to be instant millionaire by robbing public monies.
Since it is too late to reform EC (UMNO) so better change the government in the next GE-13!
Expats share their views on corruption in Malaysia
I think corruption in Malaysia is getting worst. Look at the ‘open’ tender system whereby most of the time companies belong to the same group of people (cronies) will win the tender. But when they fail to deliver, the government (Malaysia) will only blacklist the company (not the owner/cronies). The owner still enjoy more and more projects. So no wonders why so many projects fail in Malaysia.
Look at computer lab (in government school) projects, Multi-media Super Corridor (MSC), smart school projects, telemedicine, Islam Hadhari, MRT2, etc. billions of dollars of public monies went into the pocket of cronies!
Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul gets 13 years
I expect that many who would otherwise find little common cause with radical Reds will be deeply perplexed, and even angered, by this decision.
I might be a bit pessimistic here, but I have to disagree with you on this. Not many Thais will notice about Thanthawut Taweewarodomkul 13 years sentence since most news outlet will never report about the case thus very limit number of people will even know about it. Worst, some might actually despite him.
However, I do agree with it will previde ammunition for those who against the law and thus word of mouth will have to be the only mean of spreading the news.
A busy day in court in Bangkok
Hello Nick,
Just noticed it , do you have any idea what kind of distinguishing mark the red coloured sleeves on the prisoners uniform worn by Da and Num represents.
“Ordinary” prisoners don’t seem to have any sign like that on their “suit”.
A busy day in court in Bangkok
[…] Crimes Act. A previous New Mandala post on his predicament, with a relevant picture, is available from the archive.” Photo by Nick […]
A busy day in court in Bangkok
Another stake in the murdered spirit of democracy in Thailand. Playing Voodoo on the dead!
By true Buddhism measures, those engineering such sentences have a lot to answer for.
A busy day in court in Bangkok
UPDATE:
Thantawut “Num” Thaweevarodomkul of the NorPorChorUSA website was today sentenced to 13 years in prison – 10 years for lese majeste, and 3 years for violations against the cyber crime act. Prachatai staff observed the sentencing, i had no time to attend.
Electoral fraud in Malaysia – BERSIH calls for reforms
It’s time for change! Malaysia desperately needs responsible leaders in Parliament and the State Assemblies. The current electoral process is rigged in favor of the incumbents. Voters are bought off with taxpayers money , voters are races divided into races causing minorities to loose out, threats of another May13 are constantly made, minority races who are forced to work, study and live are denied the right to vote, there is gerrymandering, the legitimate elected state government of Perak was brought down through abuse of state machinery and royalty,etc, etc.
It’s time Bersih takes to the street again! This time, with the supportof 4 Opposition state governments and on the back of the wave of revolt sweeping oppressive states around the world!
Expats share their views on corruption in Malaysia
There is no will power to improve the corruption rating in Malaysia. It is well entrenched in the system that it takes a few generations of good upbringing and educating before we see any improvements.
Ports, courts and petrol stations
“The New Zealand Trades Enterprise Limited mentioned in this story is not connected to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in any way, and NZTE is not involved with this development. We are not aware of any New Zealand companies involved in the project either.”
A pity. I wanted to get a job working on an artificial mountain in Burma.
Nick Nostitz on Thailand’s political awakening
This has just been sent to me by the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. A talk like this could not happen without extremely – extremely – high authority. It may indicate that – at long last – really genuine moves towards national reconciliation are happening.
Thailand’s Diplomacy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
An evening conversation with Dr Kantathi Suphamonkhon
8pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Members: Free Non Members: 300 baht
Since the 2006 coup, Thailand’s efforts to rebuild its image and role as an international leader have been assailed on all sides. With elected governments felled by its courts, national politics have become a backdrop to divided administrations, color-coded factional street protests, airport closures, collapsed international summits, and a dramatic military crackdown.
Yet with British-educated Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presented as the international statesman, Thailand has sought to re-establish its credentials. Included in G20 meetings, Thailand has sought a greater role in ASEAN’s affairs, UN missions and even anti-piracy patrols off Somalia. Last month, as clashes with Cambodia continued, drawing in the UN Security Council, Thailand has extended an invitation to US President Barack Obama to visit later this year.
But just how well has Thailand fared in rebuilding its international credentials?
US-educated former foreign minister of Thailand and now Professor of Law and Diplomacy at UCLA, Dr Kantathi Suphamonkhon will reflect on some of the issues that beset the government today by drawing on his foreign policy and experience while he was foreign minister. This includes his roles in facilitating the Six Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula while in Pyongyang; persuading Myanmar not to chair ASEAN; the formation of the East Asia Summit (EAS); as well as his overall success in putting the world on notice that Thailand was an active and constructive player in global and regional diplomacy.
Dr. Kantathi was a career diplomat who served as Thailand’s representative to the UN before entering politics in 1995. He also served as Special Adviser to Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. At the political level, Dr. Kantathi served as Foreign Affairs Adviser to Prime Ministers Kriangsak Chomanan and Banhan Silapa-acha. He was also Adviser to Industry Minister Chaiwat Sinsuwong. At the cabinet level, Dr. Kantathi was Thailand’s Trade Representative from 2001 until March 2005 when he became Thailand’s 39th Minister of Foreign Affairs. On September 9, 2006, Dr. Kantathi was the only cabinet member traveling with then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on his last flight out of Thailand as Prime Minister. The coup took place 10 days later. Dr. Kantathi will share with FCCT members his unique insights on Thailand and its diplomacy during this important and challenging period in its history
Expats share their views on corruption in Malaysia
Thats the problem with the political system in Malaysia. We do not have a check and balance system here. The opposition are so divided with each party fighting for power. Malaysians are relatively in matured as for as the 2 party system is concerned. Although we are seeing a very slight change in the attitude with the younger generations. Hope the younger generation will make a different and see a stronger opposition in the very near future. Time to build this two party system is running out if we Malaysians do not want to do too much catching up too much.
Abhisit’s gift
[…] the nine gifts the government is generously buying “all Thais” with their tax money (see this interesting piece). Included in that programme is an expansion of the social security system to 24 million workers in […]
Najib to receive honorary degree from Monash
The Anwar sodomy trial is a sham from the word go. “Not looking good for Anwar” is a superfluous statement. Assumming two person is needed for a “sodomy”, why is only one party charged? Alternatively, how was a 60+ years old many with a bad back able to force himself onto a 6ft+ 20 something. As far as I can ascertain, there was no “bondage” mentioned!
As for PM, assumming only a Malay can be PM, then Khalid, current MB for Selangor, would not be a bad choice. Otherwise, let Khairil have a go – not so much “old” baggage.