Fairness is a sign of strength not weakness

In recent weeks, the only reassuring statements for non-Malay Malaysians were from the Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He persistently called for moderation before, during and after the recent Umno General Assembly.

Unfortunately his appeals appeared to have fallen on deaf ears as throughout the assembly, speaker after speaker delivered fiery and emotional attacks on other races. This has caused a lot of anxiety, fear and alarm among us, who all these years have contributed so much to the development of the nation which we have come to regard as our permanent home.

What is happening to our major partner in Barisan Nasional? As the prime minister says, Umno, and the Malays, as the dominant members of the ruling coalition, must always be fair and just to all Malaysians. The minority non-Malays have no one else to turn to if their dominant partner turns against them. Whether we like it or not we are Malaysians and are here to stay during bad and good times. This is a fact which must be accepted by all.

A large part of their criticisms are due to failure of dialogue and communication among the races. There is a dire need for dialogue not only to solve problems but also to merely understand and appreciate our differences.

Unfortunately there are forces that are bent on opposing such dialogue because of wrong perceptions that have created suspicion and even hatred in their minds.

There have been accusations that we are questioning the special position of the Malays and Islam. In fact the majority of us have come to accept this as a fact of life. We are merely asking for are our rights as enshrined in the constitution. Is it wrong and a crime to demand our rights as citizens?

As the prime minister points out, everybody wants fairness which is a strength and Umno being the dominant partner in the BN must use this strength to discharge its responsibilities in a fair, trustworthy and responsible manner. Umno must be responsible not only to the Malays but also to other races who have accepted its leadership.

God has bestowed us with a beautiful country, full of resources and devoid of natural disasters like earthquakes, drought, floods, forest fires, volcanoes, typhoons and hurricanes.
He has also bestowed us with diverse cultures and faiths so as to allow us to develop the virtue of tolerance for others.

Let us appreciate and share these divine gifts fairly among us so as to live life to the fullest as one united nation and not fight each other in His name.

Dr Chris Anthony
Butterworth
The Sun,24 Nov 2006