Updated (April 8)
Of course the Pakatan supporters are not going to disappoint us.
Some of the reader comments.
Original posting continues
It’s titled ‘Bersih 3.0 violence marks a turning point‘.
My article greeted by Angry Birds.
Also my thanks to ‘I hate N’Sync’ whose comment I borrowed as a quote in the FMT article.
Helen Ang 
A very cautionary article for all Malaysians…all Malaysian stand to lose alot from inter racial strife…..i hope the PRU13 pass quickly, we know it willmbe the most challenhing electiom ever….
thanks for heads-up. just finished reading it plus the couple of comments already up. one is a “so-what!” and another is a typical denial. guess the rabid ones haven’t shown up yet.
a great balanced write, per usual! :)
denial is a form of refuge, denying something exists is a form of escapism.
with some msians, i think the denials can actually be due to real blindspots. some people have so stubbornly refused to let in different light sources, due to extreme prejudice or hate or just rank stupidity, that eventually their vision [or perception, if you will] becomes impaired.
macam cermin tingkap kotor tak pernah kena windex. lama2 kasap dan berkerutu. awak nak tengok keluar tak nampak, orang lain nak tengok ke dalam pun tak boleh. sebab itu, bila kita baca banyak komen di forum2 orang malaysia, ramai sungguh yang merapu.
*natch, i don’t mean commenters dekat blog helen ni lah! :)
Dear Helen … Congrats!
I read yr article twice and thought it was damned good, even on 2nd reading. I think you were spot on vis-a-vis DAP push and push.
Kamu tulis senang faham, unlike some pretentious, high-brow columnists.
I think you said you like Jocelyn Tan’s (The Star) writings. Me too. And you’re good too.
Cheers. Keep posting
Awesome piece! Like Blix said, senang faham, not pretentious… Very astute observations. Mereka yang taksub hanya mampu mencaci nama Helen tanpa hujah yang berisi.
Point and facts. Most of the columnist always mumbling. Another easy to read and to understand is Chedet.
Helen,
Bersih or Stupid, I could still feel the tension every now and then. Yesterday I was at Stadium MPPJ attending my kindergarten daughter Olympic organized by her school.
Being absent on day to day monitoring of our childrens most of the time due to my work, I normally will never miss any important events such as this and I will be very in front taking photos and probably will cheer the loudest. My wife will be very impressed with behavior and I think I am forgiven for my day to day shortcoming.
However, my excitement are being greatly spoilt by one guy sit next to me. He is a Malaysian of a Chinese descendant and he came with wife and their childrens. When the MC announced the arrival of the guest of honor, at the top of his voice, he booed with his two hands served as hailer. I am dumbfounded whilst reconsidering my reaction. I choose to ignore him but when the MC invite the guest of honor to declare the Olympic open, he then repeat the same act with more gusto.
At that time, probably all other parents gave him one kind of look and probably he realized that he is alone and no want else want to join him in booing the guest of honor.
In my heart, this guy is very rude. He insulted many peoples around him, the school and his children. The guest of honor is at the other side of the stadium and it impossible for her to hear his antics. He thought others will join him and he then realized others took exception to his stupidity.
The guest of honor is a very old lady. She is not holding any public office previously and I would say that her present there add prestige to the event. I would say also that if it is not for her genuine interest in our childrens, she probably would prefer to stay at home and having breakfast with her husband or playing with her grandchildrens.
I would assume that politic is the reason for his behavior as the guest of honor is TUN SITI HASMAH MOHAMAD ALI.
I rest my case.
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I understand. I’m not a Najib supporter or anything (nor paid by Umno, sheesh) but I disagree too when opposition supporters refuse to say his proper name & insist on always calling him N—-. — Helen
Dear Bongek,
I am very sorry for the Chinaman. You know, as sorry as I feel, it does not mean that I will apologize on his behalf or do him any harm. People have the right to be stupid and behave like a loutish idiot. We cannot deny them that right to prove their lack of manners. I salute your tolerance and patience, but I think that’s why we are Malaysians – we like to cuddle our morons in the mist.
That said, I have a lot of respect for Tun Siti Hasmah, and even if it was Rosmah, I would have still felt that the man was rude. Scratch that, anyone someone acts disrespectful, that’s rude. I pity the wife and the children, you only had to bear with him for one fine morning. I bet the family gets more crap from him than anyone else.
Thanks for the story Bongek, I have quite a few of my own too, but that’s for another time. Well, anecdotes are aplenty, but don’t worry-lah, musim politik sekarang, so semua bertiup badai dan angin sampai termasuk kepala.
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“morons in the mist”? You’re on a roll today. Not suffering fools gladly, huh? — Helen
Well, catching a breather, just finished a major chunk of work and before I take a bite into another, decided to reward myself with some fun, or pun.
In any case, whoever that is writing Najib’s speeches can start to consider the angle that he is actually very sincere and genuinely interested in meeting Bersih 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 demands, but the government machinery, you know la, can take forever to get things done. However, if Bersih can endorse Najib’s temporary suspension of the Parliament and call off the coming general elections to iron out all these problems…
In Najib we trust.
The booer probably have tons of FDs, unencumbered houses reaping good rentals, adult children in varsity driving VIOS, travels overseas for vacation routinely and may even have PR relatives in Australia hence one will find it hard to understand why the fuss and hatred is all about.
Haven’t they made it big during BN’s generous rule?
Or have not their parents made it good to have sent them to varsity previously so as to lead such a good life now.
Helen,
Many of us will be behind you, don’t worry. Of course, if you write nice pieces on the DAP-sters, they will praise you sky high, and maybe put you up as their candidate for GE13 (bypassing protocols of course, their usual brand of democracy). Angry birds are aplenty, they roam the cyber skies, but the best they could do is to make a lot of noises, dump curses on others. Soldier on.
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Thanks for the note of encouragement. Talking about the ‘angry birds’ analogy, yeah, they rain their shit on people, plenty. Hahaha. — Helen
Anytime my dear Helen, I think a lot of people would have made the same observation watching some Bersih 3.0 supporters foaming at their mouth yelling away nonsense.
First it was “No GE until PSC was formed”, then it was “No GE until reformation” and now it is “No GE until all ECs resign”….
La, apa susah, no GE no GE-lah.
I hate N’Sync,
What do you mean by no GE..You don’t know aaahh, GE a.k.a Guan Eng is the eternal leader for morons like Mat Sabu and you.
I normally describe FMT writers as part of the middle-class lala brigade. I have to make an exception for you now. :D
Sorry for being late today. Your article on FMT is worthy of praise. Now let’s see. Your take on the altercation between the clueless Chinese woman and the journalist. Depending of who is watching the video clip, here’s my take.
If the Chinese fanboys (here I m specifically referring to the Anglophiles and non-Anglophiles), are the ones watching the clip, they will either pour further insult on the western looking journalist, or they will dismiss this as yet another form of propaganda by BN/UMNO.
If the Malays are the ones watching the video clip, they will either pour more insults on the Chinese woman (like saying, orang Malaysia, cakap Inggeris) or they will rally behind the journalist (because he retorted by saying “saya orang Islam, saya tinggal di sini, isteri saya orang Malaysia, jangan biadab kau).
Plus, I don’t think the majority of Chinese know that by their action on cyberspace, like insulting this person or that person, know how they are being vilified in private by the Malays or for that matter by the Indians. As you yourself quoted a Malay proverb “air tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya.
I m always perplexed by my Chinese friends, when we talk about the coming GE, they keep on saying that the BN will be voted out because they said that even the Malays are with them, that the Malays themselves are fed up with BN. When I said to them that they have misread the situation on the ground, they would launch their usual attacks of “you’re a BN man”.
I can understand people get excited with something they believe in, but by hurtling accusations at people just because people say something to the opposite of what you hold dear, man !, that is really something.
This video from PDRM [YouTube click] is a fuller version than the others on the Chinese woman. It’s got some Before & After footage compared to the popular versions we’ve already seen.
Begin at 4:18
She said: “You should basically take this down, show it to the world. This is your duty as a reporter, as a journalist. Otherwise get out of this country.”
His reply which we’re familiar with already.
She ended with scolding & jabbing her finger: “Shit attitude! Shit attitude!”
The makcik in that video is prime example of middle-class lala.
Well, watching the Bersih rally turn ugly was… well, ugly.
Speaking of multiculturalism, in the context of what is happening in Europe, I believe many Chinese here, especially the non-Anglophiles, do not know what is really happening in Europe (regarding the issue of multiculturalism). But that is not what I plan to emphasize on.
What I suspect is that, the Anglophiles (of the DAP and PKR) know and believe that multiculturalism is a myth as long as people continue to cling on to their cultural heritage. Knowing that it is a myth, however does not mean that they (the DAP and PKR Anglophiles) will not make use of multiculturalism as a toll to achieve their political agenda.
In fact, the way I see it, multiculturalism as a theme (we are all Malaysians, for God’s sake !, Helen, sound familiar to you ?) is a very powerful tool to rally a large number of people of various backgrounds to join your “cause” (or “agenda”) without the people even knowing it.
We all hear about “fight corruption”, “kerajaan zalim”, “for our children’s future” etc, but are these causes the real causes, or are they used as a cover for something else ?
I usually ask my friends this question : do you know what’s inside the house by just looking at the curtains ? Of course not. If you want to know what’s inside the house, lift the curtains, open the windows, and look for a way to open the other “rooms”.
Helen, since I am a ‘loyal’ reader of your blog for quite sometimes, I more or less be acquainted with your thought process, thus no surprise with your writing except the final part on multiculturalism when you brought up German and French. My question is, what is your basis to cite this two “nation state” with people that is relatively homogeneous in term of culture, language and religion for our reference? Is that a apple to apple comparison with Malaysia?
If a Chinese proclaim that he/she is a Malaysian, a Singaporean, or an American, I don’t think the audience will find it unusual, but it would be strange when the Chinese proclaim that he/she a German, a French or a Japanese (hmmm….that clip), so my further question is how you perceive yourselves as Malaysian, an immigrant?
Germany & France are not homogeneous in terms of culture & religion. However, their immigrants bolehlah bertutur dalam bahasa kebangsaan — fact attested by YouTubes of their politicians speaking. And of course Zinedine Zidane.
Got this from Wiki:
Tried to cross-check with the France stats dept website but the material there is in French. So we have to take Wiki’s word for it.
One-fifth (19%) of the pop. who do not have white French grandparents is a big chunk. The ones of north African origin come from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
“French women boast the European Union’s second-highest fertility rate.”
Germany
Wiki:
Sigh, Germany’s national stats website is also in their German language.
But if we take the Wiki figure of 16 million over a population of 82 million, we get 19.5%, more or less same as France, i.e. one-fifth ‘outsiders’.
If we consider Germany before reunification, the 1/5 ratio could have been even higher (i.e. more non-whites) in West Germany as it was an open country compared with East Germany, communist closed country.
I would deduce that the (re)merge with East Germany & its more homogenous ethnic Germans would have brought the overall figure down (in united Germany) with regard to German nationals of immigrant origin.
Another factoid that’s probably quite commonly known: “The largest ethnic group of non-German origin are the Turkish.”
Chinese M’sian or M’sian Chinese?
I get what you’re driving at when you say “Chinese proclaim that he/she is a Malaysian, a Singaporean (not so weird) but it would be strange when the Chinese proclaim that he/she a German, a French”.
It would be more illuminating for the Malay readers to share their views/feedback on your point.
and may I add something. In France, when a national census is taken, race does not figure. Why ? Because you see, in France, immigrants and newcomers are all expected to assimilate, in other words, become French.
To make it plain simple for all readers of this blog, if you migrate to France, you’re expected to “let go of your culture”, in other words, when you become French, whatever skin color you are, you are expected assimilate totally. Thus, you see, an Arab in France, other than knowing his religion, knows nothing about his racial heritage i.e he does not know Arabic, both written and spoken forms, as he speaks only French.
So If Malaysian First denotes the same meaning in the French context, would the Chinese, the Indians, or for that matter, all racial minorities who call themselves Malaysian First, still “embrace” with fervor, Malaysian First ? I know I m a troublemaker. So am I a troublemaker ?
AI, my point precisely, and that is why i said we shouldnt conflate apple with orange..
Hua Yong/AI,
re: the assimilation issue. There are cracks hence Sarkozy’s statement & Le Pen’s popularity. The burqa ban in France. The riots in the banlieue.
example, my buddy quoted:
To become Australian, one must speak English and act like Australian. Same thing applies, speak bahasa Malaysia and act like one…….moron!!
hmmm … no wonder you choose the handle lalaland, is that the unique ability for lalang opps i mean those from lalaland to write like idiot even when he have no clue what the discussion is about?
I lived in a couple of countries in the European continent for a period of about 5 years. European society isn’t a melting pot like US society, where I have had the pleasure of living. I prefer the US over Europe any time of the year.
The Europeans are proud of their ancestry, culture and heritage. By right, the white Europeans are the indigenous people of Europe. Take a moment to think about that concept—the white people are effectively the “Bumiputras of Europe”. They get sovereignty (and privilege) over that piece of land they call Europe on account of their skin color. European-Americans in the US can’t make the same claim.
Of course, I am sure a combative DAP-type Chinese would argue that original Europeans were actually proto-indo-europeans who migrated from Central Asia, which would invalidate their claim of ‘bumi’ status in Europe. Next, they would claim that Central Asia is part of ‘Han’ china (through Mongolian ties) and therefore the present day Chinese could lay claim to Europe!
Joking aside, the concept of ‘Han’ Chinese is considered ‘fluid’. Our host is ‘Han’ and I am ‘Bumi’. Though both terms are considered fluid, could one consider the two terms similar or diametrically opposed to one another? If you think of ‘Han’, you’d think of someone who looks like Helen, but if you think of ‘Bumi’ what do you think I should look like? Dark or light skinned? With round eyes or slant eyes? In my opinion, Bumi is truly the most ‘fluid’ race.
European is a race.The Europeans are still very ‘white’. This is still the worldwide consensus. Let’s be honest about it — what is your first thought if I ask you to picture a French or Italian lady? I am sure you’d think of a fair skinned lady wearing stylish clothing, heavy perfume and having hairy arm pits.
We live in a world of snap judgments and stereotypes. Aunti bersih instantly thought ill of the malay reporter. Similarly, if you see Zidane and had no previous knowledge of him, would you think he is a frenchman or of north african descent? He’s a non-practicing muslim, by the way.
Many right wing (indigenous) french want the muslims and jews out of France. Some of their methods to further their cause are really crafty. One involved staging protests in Halal restaurants while wearing pig masks. Contrast that with our protesters who don yellow shirts or those who shout and make youtube videos of fights in KFC!
In another case, french right wingers organised a charity soup kitchen where they would serve only pork soup. That way, poor jewish and muslim families couldn’t benefit from the free food.
See:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soupe_identitaire
C’est en français. Tu ne peux pas en parler?
As for ze Germans, one word — Nazis.
OB, thanks for the nice written post.
Actually i think from a macroview of history, categorise of race, ethnic, state, nation and nation state is all fluid. Chinese identify themselves through civilisation and culture, and the western concept of nation state and race/ethnic propel them to become more perceptive toward the divide, I think this apply to Malay as well. It is now common for Chinese (China) to call themselves Han as a way to make a distinction between them and the minority, I guess this is political construct. However to most Chinese diasporas like Helen and me, I don’t think we have a full grasp of the concept of Han and I will find it rather weird (not sure about Helen tho) if people label me as Han.
Form your knowledge, do you think Europe assimilation policy is by force or it is a natural assimilation like what happen in US through a shared America values?
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唐人 then? Like I asked earlier, M’sian Chinese or Chinese M’sian or simply Chinese? — Helen
In some parts of the US, they differentiate between race and ethnicity. Race is something you can’t really choose. It’s something people / society assigns to you. Ethnicity is the culmination of cultural beliefs and customs that you follow. This explains the difference between “Latino” and “Hispanic”.
According to the US way of differentiating race and ethnicity, Bumi would probably fall under ‘ethnicity’ because it is quite apparent that Bumis come in a variety of shades and shapes. ‘Han’ chinese would probably fall under ‘race.’
So who’s practicing racial politics now?? The bumi or the han?
M’sian Chinese or Chinese M’sian — one is obviously a racial definition, the other a narrower definition of nationality.
helen, a short one. may i know since when u start to realise the term ‘han’ is relevant to u (not thru hk movie series), another term that is more appropriate is actually huaxia.
as far as i know, ‘han’ become common during sun revulution against qing dynasty when his ideology is racial (at least in the earlier moment), but ccp base on the understanding of marxism choose multi-race and multi-culture, and label the ‘han’ as majority while the rest is minority. unless we have something to do with china ideology conflict, otherwise i think huaren is a much proper term for chinese malaysian.
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LOL. Huaren is so MCA-ish & the party is dead in the water. What are the DAP Anglophiles & Christian evangelists? — Helen
ob, u r a funny guy. i find ur writting relate to ur observation in many part of the world is always a fascinating read, but not the rest, must be due to split personality. :)
y u ask the obvious? malaysian fiiiiiirst la.
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God save us. — Helen
Compare this in Indonesia, where the Chinese speak fluent indon amongst themselves even when while studying here in Malaysia.
Overheard a bunch of them conversing in LRT-its amazing and an eye opener, in a nice kind of way.
HY, expand your horizons, and you will realize that nothing is ever black or white. I will always maintain a healthy dose of skepticism, even towards Helen.
As much as I like to pour hate on DAP, I feel there is a need to have a competent opposition in Malaysia. DAP was supposed to fill that void, but I believe that the true nature of the majority of chinese chauvinists and evangelists has completely sidetracked our path towards a meaningful democracy. I saw it coming from miles away, because I think I have a good understanding of the way Malaysian Chinese think (you and Helen included).
Just to let you know, sometimes I feel all the commenters here are not much better than the DAP supporters (no offence ok!). They want to show hatred towards DAP, but don’t try to walk in their shoes.
Liberal academics in the US have studied the conservative frame of mind. They realize that conservative evangelists in the US understand human nature better than other political groups, including the liberals. The conservatives understand the need to use the right vernacular. They use the right words — ‘good’ vs evil, right vs wrong.
DAP and PAS are using the same mechanics, and are damn good at appealing to basic human emotions. Racism is a basic human emotion and I think it is one of the most primal instincts we have. A study was made that shows toddlers as young as 3 can recognize and discriminate based on skin color. I have a few mix-raced nephews and nieces who have shown their tendency to favor those with similar skin color as theirs (usually evincing favorable behaviour toward lighter skin).
Modern rational thought is supposed to take us away from the primal human emotions. Instead, DAP and their followers opted not to learn the lessons from the western world. They just adopted the West’s religion, Christianity, and love for the anglosphere in the false belief that they can ascend to a higher racial stratum.
Obviously the anglos are far from perfect.
I am now in a company where a vast majority of the top managers are Scottish. My own boss is English, and I can sense the hidden tension between him and upper management.
Scotsmen claim they speak english, but it certainly sounds different. I can understand it and I like it better than the english accent. Sottish english sounds less pretentious. I find it funny when they pronounce ‘note’ as ‘no’ . I can imagine if a scotsman were to say ‘I know the note says no’, it would come out as ‘I no the no says no’.
You know that quite a few people in Scotland want to break away from the UK? It may be tabled as a referendum soon, if not already. I don’t know exact details.
If language is such a good tool for bringing people together, then why haven’t Scotland and England been able to dissolve their borders and completely assimilate among themselves? It has been hundreds of years.
I know the answer is very complicated, but it is just food for thought. There are so many people on this blog (helen too) who pontificate about what is best for Malaysia. The truth is there is no single panacea.
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Your comment: “There are so many people on this blog (helen too) who pontificate about what is best for Malaysia.”
Helen says: It’s the other way around. I see a hostile takeover of the DAP and the (opposition) national narrative by the Anglophile evangelists proclaiming they’re good & right while their opponents are evil & wrong. My concern is that this is disastrous for Chinese in M’sia.
Dear OB, thanks.
“A study was made that shows toddlers as young as 3 can recognize and discriminate based on skin color.”
I guess the correct statement is “can recognize the different”, not “discriminate”. I don’t think toddler would decide they’re not going to play with another toddler of a different skin colour. Those who demonstrate such traits have their parents to thank, and the parents most probably were one grow up in a surrounding like Malaysia.
I know very little of British, if I am not wrong, England and Scotland are entirely two different states (nation), but I agree language is not the only tool that bind people together, there is more. For instance, most of you regardless of race that work under the same company share the similar objective to maximize profit and at the same time, achieve own individual goal.
Since you often write about your skepticism toward our host, I like to add that I don’t truly understand Helen and some of the commentator here, especially their reason and logic are paradoxical incline, Helen wrote “My concern is that this is disastrous for Chinese in M’sia.”, if that is the case, who would gain in the racial context since the statement is about Chinese?
I am still trying to read more to understand the so called anglophile, because this is the only blog (or shall include that Shuzheng) that put forward a dichotomy contention of Anglophile+Christian versus the others. I can agree Lim father and son worship everything west, but I am not too sure do they represent the whole DAP. That is why I asked AI what his view on Singapore and do the anglophile have the number (my understand of anglophile with AI is slightly different anyway).
Hua Yong,
Of course lah “they [don’t] represent the whole DAP”. Neither did the Nazis represent the whole Germany or the Taliban the whole Afghanistan.
The danger is when the loud, abusive & aggressive but powerful & influential minority hijacks the silent majority and sets the tone & direction.
As to the ‘paradox’ of gaining, you’re assuming the equation that what’s good for DAP (seen as a Chinese party) is necessarily good for the Chinese community & vice versa, and that the DAP leadership has our long-term interests at heart.
You said: “Helen wrote ‘My concern is that this is disastrous for Chinese in M’sia’, if that is the case, who would gain in the racial context since the statement is about Chinese?”
Would what is disastrous for Chinese be disastrous for DAP?
Okay, let’s take the closure of Chinese schools. Would that be disastrous for Hasnah Yeop (meaning depriving her children)?
Has DAP gained?
Think of the millions in state allocation that the Subang Jaya Adun (as well as her fellow Pakatan Aduns in S’gor) has already received incl. the Selangorku grant – for which RM300 million has been set aside – that she’s eyeing.
She’s placed her koncu-koncu in the MPSJ. Isn’t that a gain?
Let’s assume a ‘disastrous’ outcome for the Chinese e.g. like S’wak and Perak where the opposition are Chinese & the ruling clique all Malay.
Does Hasnah lose from such a situation or from Chinese marginalization overall?
She’ll keep her seat for many terms to come & with it the S’gor allowances which are the highest in the country (also she’s been promoted to Selcat) as well as the perks & privileges that come with political office. Think Ronnie Liu. Think Eli Wong.
And how can we forget the publicity that she clearly craves? Remember that she’s doubled her Twitter exposure with the creation of the DAPSubangJaya account.
She’ll be promoted to Parliament. Higher profile, even more publicity & overseas.
Whatever happens (disastrously) to the Chinese voters as a whole, does Hasnah lose anything?
Whatever happens (disastrously) to the Chinese electorate in the rest of the country, does Kim Guan Eng lose?
He’ll still be CM in Penang for several terms to come. “He’ll still travel first class abroad” (I haven’t heard any denial of this particular rumour thus far. If there is an official denial, I’ll retract this statement.)
What Hua Yong implies to be the paradox is that DAP will lose if the Chinese ‘lose’ (lose meaning suffer negative consequences as a result of DAPsterism).
DAP politicians can still personally win (enjoy many gains) despite the Chinese community as a whole losing.
The second assumption presumes that Chinese remain pragmatic & astute, i.e. if a Chinese individual stands to lose from the political development, why should he give his vote to DAP?
This further presumes that the Chinese are making their evaluation with some rationality.
Below is an excerpt from the Tun Daim interview:
Do we see more rational behaviour or more emotional behaviour in the public domain among the Chinese voters?
nice piece of work as always, helen. kudos. after watching the video for the umpteenth time, i still can’t get over “kolapted! kolapted! “ge’au’o’dis’kantri! ge’au’o’dis’kantri!” though… cakap BM lagi baik la Nyonya (Bahasa Kurang) Bersih..
Hannah Yeoh a.k.a Hasnah Yeop is such a smart Anglophile. I don’t usually praise politicians from the Opposition. But Hannah/Hasnah, I have to praise her.
Remember not too long ago, when her child was born, she insisted on stating in the birth certificate that her child be known as “Anak Malaysia”. How insidious. Think in the context of France which I’ve just mentioned.
If every child born in Malaysia is stated as “Anak Malaysia”, regardless of skin color or racial origin, would those children be expected to assimilate totally into the dominant culture of the day/land (the Malays would certainly love it, the DAP Anglophiles would love it too, since their Malaysian First culture is based on those of the Anglo-Saxons) ?
I m always amazed, really, that the Chinese, particularly those educated at Chinese schools, they defend the Malaysian First “agenda” with such fervor without asking what Malaysian First really denotes.
The DAP and PKR Anglophiles know what Malaysian First means (because you see, they are Anglophiles after all !) but of course they are not going to tell that to the majority Chinese (read : those educated at Chinese schools, Buddhists, etc).
If the DAP and PKR Anglophiles tell the Chinese, or for that matter, the Indians, what they really have in mind (or what they really meant/intended) regarding Malaysian First, they are toast.
But of course, they are not going to tell anyone about this.
Now you see, that is why I said Hannah Yeoh and her ilk are very smart, or rather, very insidious. Oh my I really have to praise her and her ilk. woohoo !
AI, Interesting, but dont you think in the long term, this is the course forward? Is this something bad? I dont have a stand yet, just asking.
Is this the course forward ? Well, I m not going to say it is the course forward. As I have mentioned, the Malays would love it, the Anglophiles would love it too.
The key phrase I mentioned, if you “really” read my posting, is “to assimilate totally into the dominant culture of the day/land”. Now, if someone could deduce what that phrase implies, then you will know what Malaysia, or rather what the people of Malaysia will become in the future. So, which or what culture will be dominant in the future ?
Of course, if you read what i posted, the “Malays would love it” speculates that the Malay culture will be dominant.
But I also wrote “the Anglophiles would love it too, since their Malaysian First culture is based on those of the Anglo-Saxons”.
Now it depends on how successful both sides are in promoting their “culture” i.e the Malays with their native supremacy and the Anglophiles with their Malaysian First. Now if you could answer that question, you don’t even need me to tell you what the answer is. After all, in the social sciences, answers are deductive and subjective.
Is this something bad ?
That depends on the respective communities in Malaysia. If “abandoning” you native culture/heritage is bad, resulting in the lost of ancient wisdom (I believe each culture, through it’s language, after all, a language is a way a “culture” looks at the world, in short, a worldview, presents accumulated wisdom through the ages), then all I can say is, the lost of traditional culture in order for the country to achieve uniformity a la Francais is truly a bad outcome.
I would like to offer a phrase to readers here. “Civilizations do not clash. Only barbarians clash with one another”.
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Thank you for this. — Helen
good food for thought.
due to the dominance of western power in both economy and culture, i suspect a large number of chinese including the chinese educated might buy the malaysian first rhetoric. i think there are malays that idolise anglophile as well, do you think the number is great enough to push for the same ideal (i am not talking about political parties, we limit to only values)? another question, do you perceive singapore as anglophile?
my question on bad is pertaining to our nation, not community, your reply seem to suggest that you prefer multiculturalism, can you enlighten me further on this?
FYI my uncle is a Swiss citizen,meaning my mom’s little brother, he married a Swiss German and only got his citizenship after passing strictest language tests in German and French and work for Swiss companies for almost 20 years..after which he joined the 4 millio Swiss citizens…he is completely naturalized that I never think him as Malay..even his Malay have that that German pidgin quality…Islam..forget about it….once my grandma passes away..i dun expect to come back for Raya..and the bewilderment I see in my Malay-German cousins as they watch my grandma in her frail and small Malay body warpped in resplendid Batik and colorful tudung…
He is the manifestation of European assimilation..total integration without pity..the non Malays are lucky to have the the Ketuanan(Hospitality rather supremacy) of the Malays.
Then again, without the Federal Constitution providing the definition of “Malay”, the Malay would not exist, would it ? After all, the Federal Constitution states clearly who/what a Malay is. If the Chinese, Indians or other racial minorities were to state that the Malay exists only because of the law (after all, the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land), then the Malay is himself a political construct.
The words used to define someone as x, y, z, such as race, ethnicity, are misleading. The closes denominator, the one thing that could define someone as x, y, z, (that is, close enough, but not the real thing) is the culture one practices, the culture one passes to his children, his descendants.
Thus the Chinese individual is only a Han, if by virtue of his cultural education, either through school or his family, (read : school = Confucian, family = knowing the rites).
The same thing can be said of the Indian person, and likewise, the same thing can also be said of the Malay person and everyone else here in Malaysia.
Now if a Malay, Chinese or Indian for that matter, was educated throughout his growing up years at Anglo schools, and his elders (the family) likewise was also educated at Anglo schools, and his family did not provide the necessary cultural education at home (not knowing the rites), and does the opposite (his elders taught him the virtues of the Anglo-Saxons), then that person, is an Anglophile, not Malay, not Chinese and not Indian.
Race politics is a political strategy used most, if not all the time to mislead the masses into thinking that we are heading into some kind of “final battle”. More often than not, race politics is used to “hide” the real identity of the players involved in political intrigues. A deception so to speak. (identity read : they say they are Malay, they say they are Chinese, they say they are Indian. But are they what they say they are ?)
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Some of those supporting the restoration of PPSMI assert that English is their mother tongue. — Helen
There was no census to ascertain the exact number of Malaysian Anglophiles in the past, and I personally don’t think we’re going to have one now or in the near future. But we could have one, if the relevant authority is willing to conduct a census, time and cost permitting.
As for the number of Anglophiles in Malaysia, it is highly speculative, and subjective. But we could try, with a few criteria.
First, do you speak English at home with family members ? Do you mix only with those you are familiar with (familiar as in : speak English, discuss the same issues etc) ? And most crucially, do you know the cultural heritage of your forefathers (Anglophiles will tell you that they know none) ?
Answer those three question and we could get a clearer picture of the number of Anglophile Malaysians.
As for my own personal estimate, I would say Anglophiles tend to be found in wealthy, urban areas of Malaysia. They could number not less than 15% of the total population of Malaysia. But of course this is my own estimate, not the real figure.
As to your question of pushing for the same ideal (or values, as you said), you don’t actually need that large a number to achieve the “ideal” (ideal, or rather values, Anglophile ideal, values if that is what you meant). Look at the US. the Jews constitute not more than 2% of the total population yet they frame the national discourse of the nation, from economics, politics, to culture.
You need people that can formulate strategy to achieve the goals you set out. And of course, if your people could “infiltrate” the vital organs of the state i.e the political establishment, the chambers of commerce, the cultural entities etc, then you’re almost there, in terms of achieving your “ideal”.
Is Singapore an Anglophile State ? Yes, and no. The elite is Anglophile, the masses are largely Nativistic.
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Ahmad,
“infiltrate”: The Star has been successfully infiltrated! As for Kim Guan Eng’s “ideals” & “values”, he’s already stated his Anglophilia in 2 key speeches, read https://helenang.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/eh-guan-eng-belum-ajar-dong-jiao-zong-lagi-ke
Thanks & salam, Helen
On European criticism that multiculturalism has failed. On the contrary, multiculturalism has not failed, multiculturalism never took place in Europe, so how could Europeans say that multiculturalism has failed ?
Immigrants coming to Europe after 1945 (as workers to help in the reconstruction of Europe after the war) were not expected to stay there for an extended period. Those immigrants were guest workers. Europeans expected them to leave after the reconstruction of Europe. So no efforts were made to “promote” multiculturalism to these immigrants or among the European populace. But because most of these immigrants had nothing to return to (the conditions in their native lands were not encouraging) they decided to stay on. The Europeans merely “tolerated” the presence of these immigrants, just as long as they “subscribe” to the values of the dominant culture of the day/land, which is European.
How could you say something failed when it never happened in the first place ? It is what we call, in Orwellian terms, Newspeak. You never did anything, and when something happens, you say “its their fault !”.
Assimilation worked well in the past, because travel between distances was not possible for most people, and it took a lot of time. So new arrivals (immigrants) could be “coerced” into accepting the dominant culture of the day/land.
In the age of globalization, assimilation is recipe for national disaster simple because, the dominant group of a particular nation (most of the time, cultural minorities i.e Chinese, Jews), once they realized that their position is imperiled, could just simple switch to other lands to secure their position (in our age of high finance, money moves digitally). When that happens, most of the time, the original host nations simply ceased to function, or come to a near virtual standstill.
So is multiculturalism preferable ? I would say multiculturalism plus a bit of confluence of cultures is my answer to your question. And if you have more questions, I will answer them tomorrow.
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Again, thanks for articulating my thoughts! I had in mind the same: age of globalization wrt both Chinese capital/position here but digital access to greater China culture. — Helen
Helen put it aptly : ‘thanks for articulating my thoughts!’ . Hope to read more from you. Thanks AI.
It seems to me that with some M’sian Chinese youngsters, their cultural souls are today half in HK/Taiwan & lately a quarter in Korea. It’s the wonder of the Net, file sharing & mp3 (what number now?) downloads & other tech gizmos the teenagers are so savvy at.
DAP’s M’sian Fi1111irst is fascism. They are like Mao Zedong’s Red Guards fanning across the countryside & beating recalcitrants into compliance and also attempting to beat the Chineseness (c.f. communist ‘Cultural’ Revolution) out of everyone.
Helen, my take is different. Now is the peak of the so called Anglophile because there were 50% Chinese that attend national school during the 70’ and 80’, and today many of them happen to be the leader and chief in almost every sector including political parties, but I suspect the prime is over with the change of balance in global power that slowly move to the East. The soaring enroll into VS and change of Singaporean sentiment toward the Communist China is to me a good gauge.
My view is that in the short term, you are probably right but in the medium and long term, the battlefield is between the inclusive and religious Malay. The non Malay can only stand aside and grumble, if in any case our vote numbers still large enough as counted, we might pick a relative inclusive one, provided they are capable and not the excessive corrupted one like what we are having now.
PS / did you watch China series ‘步步心惊’ and ‘甄嬛传’? Many friends of mine that do not bother anything China (perceive as not trendy) now become a fan of China made series.
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I’m more of a reader (print-inclined) than a viewer (broadcast) & have short attention span for the latter media. Actually I agree with both your prognosis (Para 1 & 2) above. Only I would add the DAPsters are Christian Taliban. Hence they would be closer to the more fundamentalist Muslims rather than the inclusive Malays. Remember, DAP attacks Umno (United MALAY Nat.Org.) all the time & they never stop attacking Muhyiddin’s Malayness. — Helen
AI, you have advocated this well but what is the end result that we all desire when we chose and pick our battle? Is it your own wisdom! Is it the strongest might weaken! Is it the wisest may err! What is if your indomitable will translates to be only whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. Are you individually ready for the battle like what we see in Helen’s attempt and if so then I salute you as the typical mumbo jumbo does not hold its ground for how humanity can progress for one another for the community beyond I know it best attitude but only when we can shift it beyond our our needs for what the community seeks in an apolitical sense.
sincerely, I don’t know what the heck you’re muttering about. For someone who’s in New York, you don’t sound like someone who has a proper command of the English language. Are you really a Malaysian in New York ? How could i respond to your writings if you can’t even express yourself properly and adequately in English ? Maybe you should get someone to do the writing for you, or write in Bahasa, our national language. Reading your writings, I need to buy some pills to relieve the dizziness. Oh my ! Pening betul ! A la Hai !
Power is not moving East as you mentioned. Power is “assimilating” the East.
The “power” you’re referring to is not “power” in the conventional sense. More aptly, “power” in this context refers to capital. Capital is moving East, and with it, whoever is “receiving” the capital, over time, will assimilate into it. Most of the capital moving East originated from the West and Japan.
If you observe carefully the trend of the Asia-Pacific region over the past 40, 50 years, you will notice that those with the most open financial markets are those with the highest numbers of foreign participation in their financial markets.
Singapore and Hong Kong are 2 prime examples. And capital, foreign capital, tend to constitute a significant proportion of the financial markets of such economies. The same can be said of Taiwan, South Korea and the other countries of South East Asia. Now with China and India also liberalizing their financial markets, albeit gradually, we can expect the same trend to repeat itself.
So in a sense, “power” is not moving East. “Power” is simply coming to the East to “assimilate” the East. The focus should be on who is holding the “power”, not where the “power” is located (location = I m referring to geography).
Vernacular education offers no protection from the influence of Anglophile culture.
A Chinese friend of mine said, and I quote “today, the most active and vocal supporters/advocates of DAP’s Malaysian First are Chinese educated Chinese. If you surf through the Chinese cyberspace, and if you could read what they’re writing about, you will realize that, the very same people calling for the defense of Chinese education and the preservation of traditional Chinese culture are also the same people who are calling for Malaysian First”.
I find it an irony that they could support something that is the antithesis to what they are trying to defend and preserve.
Malaysian First is definitely not about equality or fairness. Yet if you ask them what Malaysian First is, they will tell you that its about equality and fairness.
But what I do know is that the DAP has never given a proper explanation of what Malaysian First is, due to what I mentioned in my other postings to this blog.
As for the increase in enrollment in vernacular schools, particularly Chinese schools, most of the increase comes from the enrollment of children from Anglophile families. They send their children to Chinese schools not because they want their children to know Chinese culture, but specifically because they understand the value of learning Mandarin (commercial value that is).
Most of these children are still going to grow up as Anglophiles. But the greatest impact here is that, 20, 30 years down the road, when these Anglophile children grow up, they will be equipped with a powerful language that will allow them to propagate their Anglophile culture to a much wider audience.
I don’t think many people here notice this yet, but it sure is something we have to pay attention to.
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Wow! Tabik, sincerely. You’re good medicine for
the DAP apologistHua Yong. — HelenI withdraw the label ‘DAP apologist’. Sorry, that was my momentary pique due to annoyance.
There’s still hope in DAP & Malaysians need a strong opposition regardless.
But more than that, DAP needs its own internal regime change first.
Ai, well narrated, but who makes the decision and why? Is it freedom, happiness, honesty, believe, reality or me, me & me in anticipation how it is going to be for me. Your truth and my truth clashes because it is about me and you without any relevance to humanity ie the community. Whose fault is it? Me or you or what it has to be when it serves me the best. You have clearly stated how antithesis ie meaning the hypocrisy that we ride on an individual basis relates to what actually transpires. What can we do about it besides bitching about it? You need solutions, and that can only happen if we recognize the truth on a collective basis as truth never damages a cause that is just and fair. The just and fairness can only evolve if th community is not shackled for one another for only what is material but rather what is humane.
buddy, I still don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. I need to get some pills to ease the dizziness. Pening betul ! A la hai ! Sorry for writing such stuff on your blog Helen. My apology. But I just don’t know what the heck the Malaysian in New York is talking about.
Helen,
I reply in this thread, and no worry, like Daim said, Chinese is emotional and of course this include you n me.
I think you misread what I am trying to tell wrt paradox, but I guess that is my mistake not able to convey the right message. What I meant was both you and the many commentators here take the same position against DAP but with a different motivation.
We take VS as case in point, you believe DAP could cause the closure of VS while many here take the stand that DAP support VS, is that not a paradox? Moreover I rarely make my point on lose and gain of the Chinese vis-à-vis DAP, you are. Could it be many of the commentators here misread you as well, or simply because the enemy of my enemy is my friend?
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LOL, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. I think that’s could be one reason I’m on so many Malay blogrolls. But also I’ll credit openness to discussion & trying to understand the other side’s POV. — Helen
It would be fun to meet you Ahmad Ibrahim, and your Chinese friend is spot on about the contradiction between DAP’s Malaysia Firsters and vernacular education (from primary to tertiary).
Until the Chinese in Malaysia realize that ICHS (independent chinese high schools) and mandarin-based institutions of higher learning is an ANOMALY, ABERRATION and ABNORMALITY, we will be stuck in an impasse.
That said, you cannot deny that the parents who sent their children to ICHSs have the right to the choice. It wasn’t the value of mandarin they were after AI, it is the value of the education which enables their children to join the world which matters most. And since they cannot afford international schools and expensive private schools which offer the IB (International Baccalaureate), ICHS is the next best thing.
AI, you said “For someone who’s in New York, you don’t sound like someone who has a proper command of the English language. Are you really a Malaysian in New York ? Your defect is not my problem. You know why, because you just put out the red flag on the basis because I am in New York I must have such fluency in English that you can’t comprehend. I see a red flag here. Sure AI, you can’t understand this because you are not in New York.
Buddy, I still have no clue what you’re talking about. I have to apologize again Helen, for writing such stuff on your blog. I know your blog is intended for discussion. My apology. Oh my i need to get more pills to relieve the dizziness. Malaysian in New York a la hai ! Pening betul ! Apa boleh buat ? Standard dia terlampau tinggi bagi Average Joe like me.
There won’t be a regime change at the DAP. The party is too steeped in Anglophile culture. After all, Anglophiles outside DAP won’t allow that to happen. No regime change.
The DAP is not the only Anglophile party in Malaysia. There’s Gerakan, whose origin is Anglophile, and still dominated by Anglophiles i.e Teng Chang Yeow.
The same with MCA, albeit through the back door (The Star).
PKR too is dominated by Anglophiles and those leaning toward Anglophile tendencies i.e Tian Chua and Elizabeth Wong.
UMNO, look at the children of the elites. Most are students of International Schools. Also Anglophile educated.
The DAP is not the only party we have to deal with. Anglophiles are all across the political spectrum.
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They also meet across the spectrum. Think Marina M, haha. — Helen
AI, I must thank you, I have just discovered a snitch in Helen’s blog. I am sure this is simple Enlgish not a masquerading commentor like you for your agenda.Thank you as you have revealed yourself for who you are.
Ai, you say, “buddy, I still don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. I need to get some pills to ease the dizziness. Pening betul ! A la hai ! Sorry for writing such stuff on your blog Helen. My apology. But I just don’t know what the heck the Malaysian in New York is talking about”.
Sobered down kah AI!!! from your ealrier post.
Helen, I can be wrong but this appears to be a snitch to do the merry go around about to achieve his/her agenda. Damn!!!, I curse myself for how easily being deceived when someone talks about humanity and be carried away. AI is is a proven example for his/her agenda.
Before I sign off for today, I will return tomorrow if there’s a new article for me to comment on, I would like to say that, if those DAP frauds and phoneys want to post something here, better for them to brush up their writing skills first. Just replying to them is wasting the space we have here for other people to post their comments. A la Hai ! Apa yang tak kena dengan dia orang ni ? Tulis pun tulis dengan tak betul. Buat orang pening kepala ! Bila pening kepala, kena beli ubat, to relieve the dizziness. Apa la ni ! A la hai !
AI, you say
Now look at your post at #57 with changes that you had made above. Friend, or a fellow Malaysian if it fits your agenda, i don’t write nor comment for how it serves me well but it is pertinent for issues that concerns fellow Malaysians.
Whether my presumptious Malaysian in New York English satisfies your quenching thirst is not my issue, but the message in it.
AI, you blew your own cover so stop pretending to be for somebody that you need to to fend and jaga buntuk diri.
Go get a backbone, then maybe you can be a Malaysian rather than a makeshift Malaysian that can only serve your own need. I am sure this is simple English, not an Oxford or New York based English that seems to confuse your agenda that can only serve you.
AI, your true color shows. who the F**k cares if you care if you sign in or you sign off. Do you think that you have made a dfference what Malaysian can be as you are time wasped whether it is Oxford English or New York English. Wow!!! I never knew that the language is so predominant to dicatate the mode at the expense of humanity for the Semua Tahu comunity like you. No wonder Malaysia will prosper with people like you.
So many people here. Helen, may I know who this Ahmad Ibrahim is ? He wrote so many things here.
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I dunno. You might know better. — Helen
My apoligizes to those who comment in this blog. I know that I have been overboard in chastising AI. I am sure we all try to find goodness within ourselves for one another but I think none of us will tolerate it if we are not truthful it for each other unless it serves us well for only what we need. After all, the mechanism has always been self serving not one that dwelves (American not English) how we seek for each other.Nothing wrong with that but be real in the approach as oppose to be hypocrital about it without a community concern.
AI, my own definition of ‘power’ shall include prowess in military, economy and cultural hegemony. Capital and job the first wave, technology and knowledge the second, and it is up to respective countries to learn, acquire and evolve to become a ‘power’ force. This is what takes place between Europe and America during the 19/20 century, and I believe the same transfer of power would repeat in countries like Indonesia, India, China and I did mentioned ‘slowly’ to signify that the West are well aware of what is happening.
The Asia dragon and tiger are relatively small in term of land and population, moreover many of them including Japan were under the “protection” of USA, I foresee it is now an entirely different gameplay.
My reply to OB did point out that my understanding of Anglophile is slightly dissimilar from yours. To me, regardless of education background, urbanize or ruralize, wealthy or poor, as long as they worship anything Western (a wider scope not limited to English and England) more than their own culture is to me an Anglophile. However my question is (a repeat), does subscribe to anglophile a bad thing if it meant democracy, human rights, judicious, justice and fairness? My concern is more on capitalism that have no restrict on greed and power.
On DAP Malaysian First, I see it as political rhetoric rather than an ideology, in fact not many from DAP repeat the same assertion, and we should know that no one (including DAP members) have a clue what the hell is MF.
My position in VS might be slightly different from many, to me, it is a matter of choice without the biasness exert by anyone. If VS is no more the best option because there is a better alternative, so be it.
Hua Yong, maybe I am dumb in digesting your equation, but where is humanity!!!.Don’t you think humanity when we can reconcile and acknowledge to be a satisfying elements that you have spelt out in such an elaborated sense can solve the problem if we are ready, able and willing to deal with it irrespective of our origin at least in Malaysia for a start.
“However my question is (a repeat), does subscribe to anglophile a bad thing if it meant democracy, human rights, judicious, justice and fairness? My concern is more on capitalism that have no restrict on greed and power.”
MiNY, do you think the above fit into your frame of humanity? Do you have a better articulation for me to refer (not sarcasm, i am serious)
HY, Yes it does because capitalism eventually erodes the humanity values amongst one another.