Project Malaysia - The Politics of Race

I came across this browing Rocky's Bru blog.

Prominent human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz and friends has just launched Project Malaysia - An Experiment in Naton Building; and its first theme is the Politics of Race.

Please read this. It is engaging, inspiring and instil hope for a better future. I quote some parts.

Race, its implications and its consequences permeate through our lives, and shape them, in a way that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

the proverbial system has become so inherently incapable that it undermines our continued ability to compete in an increasingly challenging world even as it has led to a fracturing of Malaysian society.

Proponents of race-based politics argue a continued need for racially delineated political power sharing on two main grounds rooted in history. Firstly, pointing to the Merdeka negotiations

Secondly, against the backdrop of the race riots of May 1969, they contend that any other approach would necessarily result in the marginalizing of the Malays, not just economically but also culturally, especially in the matter of religion. This, they assert, would have the invariable consequence of civil unrest and, were such unrest serious enough, political instability.

These arguments are however inherently flawed

The nurturing of the belief has resulted in an undermining of the Malay community itself through an erosion of confidence and self-esteem, a process aided by the way in which the need for affirmative action has been dealt with.

Is it too late to approach things differently now?

Prior to March 8th this year, this seemed a remote possibility. The politics of race seemed to have been too entrenched and 'Bangsa Malaysia' was a cry in the wilderness.

If you have the time, please read the full version here.