I am anak Bangsa Malaysia.
So are you.
Yes?
How do you and I now help to make this a national reality?
I give you PELITAR
August 26, 2007 by Haris Ibrahim
I am anak Bangsa Malaysia.
So are you.
Yes?
How do you and I now help to make this a national reality?
I give you PELITAR
If I may put forth a suggestion for PELITAR.
The speeches of Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the founding father of Malaya and Malaysia should be republished in full, in this blog. One of a good reference for such landmark speeches is “Malaysia: The Road to Independence”, published by Pelanduk Publications (2nd printing 2007). It comprises all very significant Almarhum Tunku’s speeches on the subject matter.
Haris,
Actually I bookmarked one of Almarhum Tunku’s speech to be read at the “Bangsa Malaysia” do at Blog-house last night. Ch. 23 titled “A New Constitution” was Almarhum Tunku’s speech as the Chief Minister of pre-independence Malaya at the Federal Legislative Council, Kuala Lumpur on 10 July 1957.
However, I would have thought the audience would be bored, especially that late and spending almost 6 house in the warmth of the event. So I just presented Usman Awang’s poem on the same subject, “Tanah Air (Menjelang Kemerdekaan” only.
Big Dog, I will relay your suggestion to the working team that I hope will come together very, very soon.
Thank you for setting this up. It’s about time we are acknowledged as all Malaysians, whatever our heritage.
Shame I missed the first blog-house shindig!
Dear Haris,
even though I have been privileged to have been a party to some discussions with you about the idea, I must say that seeing PELITAR up and running is breath-taking.
As an A Level student in Singapore in 1987, forced there on an ASEAN scholarship by Malaysian policies that just did not seem to have a place for me in them, I wondered whether I would ever see the day that we would discuss equality in Malaysia in its true sense and not just as animals, and other animals, in the Orwellian sense (Animal Farm: all animals are equal, some are more equal than others).
Over the years, I have heard much from many about why things are bad, how they got bad, how they will remain bad etc. I too have been guilty of this, from time to time. And as we all collectively consigned ourselves to doom and gloom, that day of equality seemed further away, more than it had ever been.
In the last 10 years I have been more involved in the struggle for a universal rule of law and the cherished future that promises, learning from those around me in different ways. Learning from life.
In the last 5 years, much of that struggle has been a collaboration with you, and I cannot begin to describe how much I have learnt from you. Your knowledge and wisdom aside, your inexhaustible energy, capacity for compassion and your innovativeness have been sources of inspiration and strength. That day of reckoning seemed a little closer, a little more within reach.
When you set up and pursued the ideals underlying The People’s Parliament, I had to sit back and catch my breath. We were all exhausted by what Article 11 had gone through, what each of us had had to endure for committing the crime of loving our country and our fellow Malaysians. But there you were, in the thick of things, swinging away, eager to catch that wave that would take us to the next stage of things.
With PELITAR, you have me convinced that there are some powerful bomohs on your side. I would ask where you get the energy and drive from, but then I already know the answer to that, my friend. God, God’s love, your love.
It’s early days yet, but I know that PELITAR is the dawn of that day I wished for all those years ago. It is a breakthrough for having recognised what so many of us have failed to all these years. That we all beat with one heart, for one collective future.
And even if nothing comes of it, you have much to be proud of for PELITAR being the first concrete initiative whose ideals and and mechanism are very simply premised on the one truth of Bangsa Malaysia. It is a lesson in how we should all be conducting ourselves, not just for what it says but also for how it has come to be said.
You have my commitment and support.
Malik Imtiaz Sarwar
Dear Imtiaz,
I am truly blessed in that at every turn I have had to take in this journey we call life, I have found friendship and love. There have been just too many to mention all.
Your friendship, though, has been exceptional and for this, I thank God.
I am comforted that in this long struggle for justice and equality, anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia will surely have you on their side.
May God bless and protect this endeavour.
As a show of support, Pelitar has been added to the Malaysian Bloggers Directory and listed in the top ten referrer.
http://www.malaysian.net.my/index.htm?p=bloggers&w=12999
I fully support to publish all Tunku’s speeches and interviews, especially the one before he died a sad old man…
“To this day I find it very hard to believe that Razak, whom I had known for so many years, would agree to work against me in this way. Actually, he was in my house as I was preparing to return to Kedah and I overhead him speaking to Harun over the phone saying that he would be willing to approve the permit when I left. I really could not believe what I was hearing and preferred to think it was about some other permit. In any case, as the Deputy Prime Minister in my absence from KL, he would be the Acting PM and would override my objection. Accordingly, when I was in my home in Kedah, I heard over the radio that the permit had been approved…
…I have often wondered why God made me live long enough to have witnessed my beloved Malays and Chinese citizens killing each other.”
This way, Malaysian get an idea why they are in such a sorry state now.
Oh ya, I highly recommend all Malaysians to be informed of this part from tunku’s mouth before he died…
“…After meeting in large numbers at Harun’s official residence in Jalan Raja Muda near Kampong Bahru and hearing inflammatory speeches by Harun and other leaders, they prepared themselves by tying ribbon strips on their foreheads and set out to kill Chinese. The first hapless victims were two of them in a van opposite Harun’s house who were innocently watching the large gathering. Little did they know that they would be killed on the spot…”
If that was what Tunku said, I believe we owe Bangsa Malaysia an explanation as to what really transpired during 1969’s coup to remove Tunku from power and how some power greed politicians played up the racial card and moulded us into such a sorry state now.
Gone were the days where Malays, Chinese, Indians and others can live and mingle together as a truly Bangsa Malaysia.
journey of a thousand miles, starts from the first step.
hope this will be the 1st step to the right path the country
should be heading.
Hi koolgeek,
I agree that Malaysians must know the truth, the country’s history as it happened. However, my desire now, after Saturday 25th August 2007, is that we ourselves create history. Let’s move on.
I think Tunku would want us to do that. He’d want our wounds to heal. He’d want us to let go of the past because we can’t change what took place but we can make sure it never happens again. He’d want us to take his legacy and run with it.
Let’s not even be disturbed when politicians contradict themselves or make external postures that are insincere in order to win votes. . Let us ourselves be consistent, steadfast, determined, focussed on the way ahead and most of all united and supportive of one another.
best wishes,
farida
I have always regarded myself as a Bangsa Malaysian , only my official documents tell me that I am a Bangsa Melayu because of that Constitutional definition.
I embrace you my brothers and sisters Malaysian.
Dear Haris
you have my support in this noble endeavour of yours and may god gives you the strength all the way.
god bless you.
My salute to your vision and effort, bro.
God bless you.
[ ghostline ] checking in. we have some talented and concerned young Malaysians down here in Singapore; let’s see if we can’t get some back to help reclaim the country.
Thanks for the sharing. Indeed it is sad. No wonder we were asked never to question what happened in 13th May.
“Hard things are put in our way,not to stop us,but to call out our courage and strength” Anon.
Terima Kasih…Bangsa Malaysia!!
I’m deeply touched by all your patriotism and loyalty to this great nation of ours. As long as we keep our strong faith in each other, our future generations will have a brighter future.
When is the next gathering in Penang? I would like to join in if you don’t mind having a 60 year old man showing his support as Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
Look out for the posting on the Penang initiative
Way to go!
Anak anak Bangsa Malaysia from Penang!
here is the call, the fasting month has given the organising committee to regroup and recharge. lets not forget that you are the most important element of Pelitar, not us as the organising comm. you must participate and reclaim this country to restore our future!
c U on 27th!
This post appealed for Penang Bloggers to help organise this Pelitar Gathering on 27Oct. You Penangites woould be better on the logistics. Give us your feedback….quick, please.
Dear Haris,
Pls allow me to share how you’ve been an inspiration and helped me cross the Rubicon.
In my first piece of writing in People’s Parliament “Friends because”, I mentioned you have my trust. I wrote that if I were ever to get into ‘trouble’, I’ve told my family you’re the first person they should contact. I’m placing on you this personal burden; on top of the load you’re shouldering for so many other M’sians.
So here, I’m publicly noting my appreciation, my great thanks for all that you’re doing and as I’ve said before: You have my support.
In my PP second essay on Idealism, I said you fortified me by your readiness to face the consequences. Before you, I’d never met anyone so determined to lock eyeballs with the unknown – or let’s call it Bolehland’s version of Siberia and whatever that vastness may portend.
If I had to choose 3 words to describe M’sian-Chinese, they would be “Pragmatism”, “Indifference” and “Fearfulness” – nope, not the Siberia-trekking types generally.
I can’t promise that there is nothing to fear b’cos in truth I don’t know how much of this Chinese fear of the authorities is grounded on reality. However, in my opinion, it’s much exaggerated. I also believe the Chinese pragmatism and indifference (I won’t presume to speak for other races) are the foundations upon which this self-serving fear is built.
People like Haris and Imtiaz have been an inspiration in firmly tipping me over into “that” side of the fence. Altho’ I’ve been writing in mKini 4 years, it’s a tentative journey with rest stops; Pelita(s) such as these two civil rights activists are the lamps lighting the way… Kim Quek has also been kind in encouraging me.
Their stance, which I see as “we’re prepared, do your worst but we’re drawing the line in the sand” is infectious. Coming around to this certitude gives a definite form to nebulous fears. Granting the worst case scenario, that still can be no worse than living in the Chinese Shadowlands of fear whether unfounded or not.
If you’ll read Imtiaz’s post above, I’d like to endorse two descriptions: Haris’ deep spirituality and the gusto with which he sets about doing things, as if he’s powered by a self-generating dynamo.
But even whilst we draw our strength from Haris, pls pls pls learn to rely on ourselves. Don’t just expect to eat Freedom fish served up; learn how cast the fishing line too b’cos gems like Haris are a rarity among the Boleh polity. You don’t know when or where you’ll find the next one.
Keep safe, keep strong Haris Ibrahim and may your household always be blessed.
Helen
Dear Helen,
My prayers go out to you and your family too.
Here’s hoping I never get a call from any of them, night or day!
God bless.
Helen, a provokingly fresh thread. Agree with your take on the Chinese. Self, self, and self. Not evil, but selfish. Whilst we take care of the food on the table, there are other issues along the way in this food on the table process. Incongruous, sometimes, but real. Everybody is kwai or kui. Thats why I go overboard on this Bangsa Malaysia bit. Cheers Helen, chin up! Will buzz you before we touch Penang. Lucia, of Mental Jog may need help with logistics on 3Nov. do. Her cp: 012-4301604. She needs all the help.See ya.