The Concept of One Malaysia...

Initially I believed the concept was a smart one because Malaysia is practically the only nation where it's citizens segregate themselves according you race. Maybe I am not making myself clear here, let me try to paint a picture for you. Like when you walk into a Bar you don't hear a foreigner say "oh hey, I am actually Italian mixed Greek" you hear them say - "I am American". An american born Chinese will never and I mean NEVER call himself Chinese but instead refer himself as an American!

Same applies to the Australians and New Zealanders (actually they are known as Kiwis). All caucasians in the down under are not originally from there!! They are probably of English or European descent and no they do not term themselves according to their origin! Just like us Malaysians, most of us are not the "Orang Asli" whom are the ACTUAL original race here.

With Malaysians its a little awkward maybe its due to the fact that we are only 52years old. No I am not equating our respective ages, I am referring to the age of Malaysia since independence. So maybe to some, for a country, 52 is still a young age so the people's concept is not nurtured enough to accept the fact that they are Malaysian.. just Malaysian. full stop. Each of us go around claiming we are either Malays, Chinese or Indian and the few rare breads would go around naming all their intertwined races. Com'on guys, isn't it a bit too much of a mouth full to say "I am Chinese mixed Indian" or "French + Indian + British + Dutch + Indonesian" or even to say the sort of made easy term as "Chindian" or "Pan-asian" or "Eurasian" for that matter is a little too confusing especially for our foreign brothers who are not accustom to the made-for-ease referrals. Even my spell check is pointing out that I correct the term "Chindian"!

I think we should all either stop asking each other "hey, what are you?" and just accept the fact that we are all Malaysian. Honestly, I get the "hey, Claudia if you don't mind me asking, what are you?" helluva allot! Sometimes if I am in the mood of being cheeky I'd just say "Can't you tell I'm a girl?" coz not only do I find the question unnecessary, its a little offensive as well!! Oh, not to mention racist! Bottom line: I think our Prime Minister's "One Malaysia" idea is hell of a great one!

I can see where he is coming from in the initiation of this "One Malaysia" campaign coz in the past in fact in the presence as well, I have heard too many racist remarks where one fellow Malaysian passed to another. Unfortunately, it cannot be helped because most multi-racial countries face this problem but being multi-racial myself, it affects me because I feel like a casted out minority whereby I cannot join any   race-bashing gangs. DISCLAIMER: Dont get me wrong its not like I want to bash another race, I think I am lucky that I dont belong to any race-bashing clans but this racial segregation affects me because I HEAR IT LEFT RIGHT AND CENTRE!!!

Just last month, I was sitting with a colleague in Brickfields and he made a remark by saying "Why are there so many Indians here?!" like its a crime for too many Indians to gather at one place!!! Maybe it was my facial expressions that gave it away but he reached out with a comforting remark - the infamous "Oh, no offence!" and I casually replied "non taken". Whereas it dawned on me that no matter how educated one can be, or how cultured one is, or how long they have lived abroad, when they come home to Malaysia, they cannot accept us as one.

You see, if you were a "One Malaysia" sort of person you will feel awkward in a place like Pudu Raya because you will feel like the foreigner in your own home with the amount of Indonesians, Burmese and Bangladeshis perpetually roaming around the area.. not in Brickfields where fellow home citizens reside!

Then there is the "Claudia, why are you dating an Indian?" like its another crime!! Lets face it people, if you dig far enough you probably have inherited some Indian genes in you too!

Ah and the famous, "don't marry a muslim because you have to convert if you are non-muslim". Forget the fact that the dude might be the most compatible, most caring, most compassionate, most perfect individual but if the religion does not click, you cannot unite. That's a man-made-mockery of your own nationality! It should not matter what religion says, point is, we should respect every individual's decision! Afterall, its not like you are committing murder or propagandizing a war!

The Bahai religion is a smart one, it promotes inter marriages for racial harmony. Which is our future people!! One day, the world will reach peace when all races are so mixed you cannot segregate one from another!

Now, the current torching of churches and the smashing of cars inhabiting christian symbols is another mockery. Its just plain insulting and a misuse of the power of majority, i think! You should refer to our PM's concern in the Star Online: "PM and Other Leaders Condemn Arson Attacks". He says that we should not point fingers and YES I believe he is right. The fault is within all of ourselves! We have been promoting racial discrimination even before we realized the meaning of the word. I believe that its time we change and stop making it so difficult for our country to achieve this "One Malaysia" goal.

Its the start of the new year people, and there is always time to make amends and start afresh. Why do we discriminate amongst ourselves? Our politicians are trying their best to achieve something good here so why make it hard for them?

Its time we take a new stance in things and start REALLY calling ourselves Malaysian.

To a One and Better Malaysia, cts xxx