|
(Sin Chew Daily) Change, seems to be an irresistible trend in the world, particularly after Barack Obama was elected the first African-American President of the United States.
2008 is about to become part of the history. But when we look back, we cannot help but ask: Have we changed? Or, are we ready to meet more changes? The 8 March general elections has demonstrated the people's common voice in which the change in the way Malays voted happened to be one of the main factors that brought about the political tsunami. However, we must admit that only a minority Malays have changed, after all. While the majority still refuses to give up Malay privileges and the protection policy. Perhaps, it is disappointing and sad to say so, but it is a fact. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is resigning soon, told reporters during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that he was to able to change the Malay thinking. But as an onlooker, we are more inclined towards former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's view. Dr M believed that he could not change Malay thinking and attitude. In any case, we are looking forward to the change from Malays. If Malays do not participate in the changing of Malaysia, it would only be a false dream. The mentality and attitude of any racial group arise from their cultural values. In fact, more and more contemporary scholars believe that cultural values influence the political, economic and social development of ethnic groups. Cultural factors, therefore, are used to explain the different racial political, economic and social behaviours. However, cultural values have long been neglected by Malaysian government and they have been considered a taboo in the country. The interrelationships of cultural value and economic achievements among different races are considered sensitive issues. In the world trend of change, the government must clearly understand that it is impossible to change the fate of an ethnic group by merely rigidly imposing the protective economic policies through political will. It can only bring real changes to Malays only by accompanied by changes in cultural values and attitudes. (By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
|