Saturday, September 04, 2010

The Malays - Issue 2

There has been a lot of hoohaa about me and my opinions on the Malays. Yeah, i'm Malay. So that makes me part of the community too. I've been receiving a lot of feedbacks, negative ones mostly (obviously) and a few positive ones. I'm glad as many as there are who opposed me (usually the ones who terasa), there are as many who agrees with me (not necessarily my friends. i have strangers messaging me too).

This is great, and I really hope the message will spread around. Better from me, a part of the community, than someone from the outside right? When a Chinese or an Indian were to say that the Malays are a lost cause, useless, lazy etc, you will that they are racist and they are discriminating. But have you ever taught what led them to think of us this way?

Someone messaged me a long message on fb etc. So i shall cut and paste my reply to her, and this will be my reply to all:

I'm not stupid enough to think of doing something without being able to bear the repercussions.

There are reasons why I do things that I do, which might not make sense to you. But in reality, it is working just perfectly. As how I wanted it.

I do not actually look down on odd-job labourers. It was a comment made to counter what someone said that "we malays are simple people. tak payah kerja tinggi2. as long as there's food on the table, it's okay. janji halal." which is true. but then, dont complain about the marginalisation of the malays when they sit down at kedai kopi, since that's what they have chosen for themselves.

when i was your age, i had idealistic views as you. I have friends who are educated and their thinking is "why bother? we just mind our business. they, theirs. at the end of the day, we are going to be ones helping them anyway, by donating. so just stay away from them." hence, the categorisation occured. my answer to them was, "don't look down... they are humans too."

but over time, hanging out with them and having them as friends, observing them, made me see the difference. when i say SEEK KNOWLEDGE, it is NOT in paper qualifications. It is in knowledge, and in Islam knowledge is encouraged, be it in whatever form. A person who is knowledgeable is valued higher in Islam than a devout.

My dad was from ITE, then VI. he is a supervisor technician with SATS and have his own business. My grandad has 12 kids and couldnt afford to provide much for his kids. My dad provided for himself ever since. My dad said, "we live in the present, and we have to adjust to the present as long as it's not out of Islam". Success is in your mind. My dad went on to take skills certificates to upgrade himself. And im proud of him. From a low techncian bringing in 400 a month, to someone who can afford to live comfortably (not rich).

What i want to say here is that, the problem that I'm trying to point out is that we should not be complacent (asalkan ada food on table ok pe - that kind of mindset). we meaning the malays. we should continually strive to better ourselves, if we want to survive in Singapore, and in the world.

And why did I post such degrading posts? If i posted nice2, encouraging, motivational quotes, will it have been quoted? will you be here bothering to even send me a message? Food for thought.

It is working the way I planned it to be. Sometimes, to make change happen, you need to stir the bowl. If you get what I mean. =)

Posted by L|v|nGdEaD b|tCh at 2:48:00 PM