EU outgoing ambassador is right

Excerpt from an article of an AP interview with the EU outgoing ambassador, published in International Herald Tribune Nov 14, 2007. (Read the whole article here.)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The European Union's outgoing ambassador has soundly criticized Malaysia, describing it as a virtual one-party state that discriminates against minorities and foreign investors by openly favoring the majority Malay Muslims.

Law Minister Nazri Aziz dismissed the accusations by Ambassador Thierry Rommel, who left his post Tuesday after 4 1/2 years, saying he is an outsider who does not understand the country. "I treat his opinion as uninformed and ignorant," said Nazri.

I do agree with the ambassador about the state of Malaysia's politics. I think for Nazri to accuse him of being uninformed and ignorant is preposterous. I've been in the States for 5 years now, and I know quite a bit about the way politics work here. As a foreign student, I consider myself rather familiar with the atmosphere and how this country is being run, even as an outsider. So if i were the ambassador to another country, deployed there for 4.5 years, calling me ignorant and uninformed about the way that country is being run when I've been stationed there these many years is absurd.

The truth is the truth. While the NEP has proven to be effective in the past, it shouldnt be applicable now if they M'sian govt wants to create a better society.

"Without the NEP, it will go back to square one. It will come back to a situation where Malays will be left behind again. This is a social contract for Malaysians to decide, not for foreigners to interfere," he told the AP on Tuesday.
- Nazri

Then I ask you, why do you think the Malays will be left behind? If they want to advance, what can stop them? As for the social contract for Malaysians to decide...are you kidding? I say if the govt wants Malaysians to decide, then start treating everyone like Malaysians. Instead, we have created a class system based on race and ethnicity.

If Malaysia wants to maintain racial harmony and achieve world recognition, it is not in the building of super infrastructure or the lording of one race over another. To become great, then show the world by providing a just system and equality of opportunity for all its citizens, whatever race they belong to.

It's time Malaysians stop seeing themselves through eyes of color...especially the govt.