Unfair treatment.
I try not to quote Mkini too much but this story done by colleague carried a startling quote from Charles Santiago (of water privatisation and recently DAP membership fame):
Santiago also claimed that there was a clear difference between the way the Indian community is treated and the way ‘election goodies’ are dangled in front of the Chinese community to induce them to maintain their support for the BN government.
“Consider the recent election goodies given to the Chinese community: the building of nine new Chinese schools, the transfer of Chinese schools to urban areas, and a RM10 million allocation by the Education Ministry.
“After 30,000 Indians went to the streets to demand equality and protest marginalisation, what concrete steps did the PM do address the issues? He gave them a holiday,” said Santiago.
According to Santiago, there are indications that this unfair treatment was due to the belief held by the BN leadership - especially its leading member Umno - that Chinese support can be maintained while Indian votes have already been ‘lost’ to the opposition.
It seems, therefore, that MIC had been ditched and this explains the lack of accountability on the part of the government as far as the Indian community is concerned.
“By all means give the allocations for Chinese education, but be fair to everybody”, said Santiago.
Doesn’t that hit so close to home? How much more race-based politics can you take? How many of us continue to close our eyes to problems suffered by other communities?
I can’t step out of my race-based mindset too. Technically an allocation is an allocation and it benefits the people. But when you begin comparing the demands of one community to what is being awarded to another - it stings, it really does. The Indian, Chinese, Malays and all other communities deserve better.
It starts with us.
p/s: Food reviews next! Getting a bit sien of politics :) Thanks to all who contributed in this week’s discussion, I REALLY appreciate it!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
“I can’t step out of my race-based mindset too. Technically an allocation is an allocation and it benefits the people. But when you begin comparing the demands of one community to what is being awarded to another - it stings, it really does. The Indian, Chinese, Malays and all other communities deserve better.”
I f I get your inference that Charles Santiago is not right by comparing the Chinese communities that are enjoying largesse in the education department and treated the Indians as apposing (political parties) as the way Mr. Santiago puts it according to some contexts, I personally think he’s quite outright by making such comparisons.
Was he trying to tell the BN led Government to ceased and desist any allocation to the Chinese community should the Indians are getting none?
He should go pointblank calling for financial allocations for the Indian community.
Not every Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other ethnic races support the dogma and practice of the BN regime.
“sien” =Hokkien for fed up? Can I assume you as a Hokkien Lang?Hehehe.
Oh yes, happy tikus year to you. Curry or Cheese?