Photo Credit: www.malaysia-today.net
By: Zhang Yan Long (translated name)
Nanyang Siang Pau, February, 13th 2016
“Want stability, don`t want chaos”, “Voting for DAP is equivalent to voting for an Islamic state”, “Insinuating racial clashes” and others were regarded as propaganda gimmicks of the ruling party threatening voters especially the Chinese voters. After the 2008 general election tsunami, the Chinese voters were not frightened off by such gimmicks anymore. Although the majority of the Chinese voters rejected “instability and chaos” and in favour of “changes without fear of chaos”, the objective was not much deviated from the original one.
Since the 2013 general election until now, the mindset of the Chinese basically remains unchanged. The Chinese wanted “changes without fear” ideally. They wanted equal right, rejected corruption and abuse of power. They equated corruption and discrimination policies as equivalent to UMNO or Barisan Nasional.
If you listen to the rationalization of non-supporters of Barisan Nasional, it will be a repeat of the same old tune. For example, Malaysia never treasures its brains, Malaysia is a resource rich country but is not comparable in development like Singapore which has no natural resources and corruption makes Malaysia backward and others. These half-truth clichés which were regarded as words of wisdom by many Chinese had us worried.
Something positive can be twisted into a web of frustration
Returning to the hometown during the Chinese New Year (CNY), I overheard some bizarre conversations. The schools in Singapore would commence on the third day of the CNY. Those Malaysian children (irrespective of whether their parents are Singaporean or not) would move southward earlier whereas there were still a few days of holiday for Malaysian children studying in Malaysia.
The interesting part began here. Singapore government declared a two-day holiday only and Malaysian government did the opposite by allowing a week-long holiday. The gesture of respecting the Chinese festival was regarded as doing something absurd by the people. This showed that Malaysian Chinese who wanted to vent their dissatisfaction on the government would twist anything positive to negative. These people had forgotten our national calendar also fixed a two-day CNY holiday like Singapore. They had even forgotten the Singapore government never considered the Malaysian parents’ welfare. Singapore is a small country which does not practise “Balik Kampong” or the “the Spring Festival” of China.
Based on the political thinking of the Chinese, it is confirmed that the Malaysian government would be branded as marginalizing the Chinese if it adhered to the two -day holiday for CNY as it was once a normal practice.
Never consider the sensitivities of racial relationship
The “noble” excuse for being anti-government by the Chinese was not consistent. It was just to criticize for the sake of criticizing. I observed the Chinese are getting more and more conservative and like to racialize certain issues or problems. It benefits DAP to use them as a platform for campaigning. It is similar to the conservative move practiced by UMNO, PAS and PKR.
The problem lies with the Chinese who never notice that they are becoming more and more conservative these few years. They are blinded by the noble value of anti-corruption and fighting for equal rights. Unconsciously, it caused the Chinese to regard the action of the Malays defending for their dignity as laughable or a pathetic demand. If the Chinese really understand democracy and the significance of majority rule, they will not be able to laugh at all.
Generally the stand of the majority of the Chinese is not consistent. The Chinese blindly consider Malaysia as a bankrupt country, a loser nation; UMNO is a racist party and other accusations. They are seduced to be braved to change the government. However they never consider the weak and sensitive racial relationship which are fully politicized in all fields and the serious consequences we have to face.