The Sunday Star’s On The Beat,
Yes, the Chinese were immigrants but so were most other Malaysians, including many Umno leaders and former prime ministers whose ancestry can be traced to India, Pakistan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, China and even Turkey.
A certain former mentri besar is a second-generation Malaysian: his parents came from Indonesia, but he made it to be the leader of a state. That’s good because Malaysia is a land of opportunity.
Many Umno politicians, especially from Penang, have ancestors from India but there is no reason to question that. They are surely not pendatang and it shouldn’t be an issue at all.
If we have to dwell on immigration, we should be celebrating it, not making it a reminder for patronage. Malaysia is a land of diversity, and that’s an asset.
As we celebrate the country’s 51st anniversary, let us remind the likes of Ahmad Ismail that this country is built on the blood, sweat and tears of all communities, not just one race.
One Comment
I like your approach. We should be celebrating our diversity, not harp on its negative connotations.
How can one be a Muslim and then hey presto, he’s no longer a pendatang?
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