What is a Bangsa Malaysia?

The word “Bangsa Malaysia” (Malaysian Race) it seems, does not seem to have one proper meaning. If one “google” out the word “Bangsa Malaysia”, you can find multiple definitions:-

Pak Lah – “This means that all Malaysians must be mobilized to contribute together to nation building”

Abdul Ghani – “Definition of the people of Malaysia with the Malays as the main race”

Najib – “Bangsa Malaysia means we do not evaluate someone by his skin colour, race or religion”

Lee Kuan Yew – “Wrong and illogical for a particular racial group to think that they are more justified to be called Malaysians and that the others can become Malaysian only through their favor”

But probably the entry in the Wikipedia sums up what a Bangsa Malaysia all about:-

The Bangsa Malaysia policy was introduced by Mahathir Mohamad, then Prime Minister of Malaysia to create an inclusive national identity for all inhabitants of Malaysia, thus abandoning the National Culture Policy that asserted a Malay ethnic national identity. Mahathir Mohamad said it means “people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia (the Malay language) and accept the Constitution”

It has been some controversy on the word “Bangsa Malaysia” ever since Abdul Ghani started to equate it with the eroding of the special rights given to the Malays. If one is asking why only now Abdul Ghani raising such a racist statement, look what is coming up soon – UMNO General Assembly. This is the time for the various Malay politicians to make stupid, idiotic and highly racist statements all in the name of “Ketuanan Melayu”, “Champion for Malay Rights” and other outdated concepts to stay alive in politics.

So, Abdul Ghani needs to stir up the “settled dust” to be seen as another keris wielding Malay hero during the General Assembly. Making racist statement and entrusting the fear of the Malays works all the time. That seems to be the only way for Malaysian politicians to hold on to their office and staying in power. The need of a united and strong nation it seems comes in the last place.

So, what is a Bangsa Malaysia anyway?

If you ask me, Bangsa Malaysia refers to the citizens of Malaysia being treated in equal terms irregardless of sex, race, religion and political ideology. I concur with Najib on this but I disagree with Najib that the notion of Bangsa Malaysia should only be limited to the state of the mind. There is a big difference between thinking of an idea and executing an idea. We may think ourselves as Bangsa Malaysia but if we are treated as second class citizens, then the notion of Bangsa Malaysia is defeated. We do not want to be look like fools for not practicing what we preach to others.

Bangsa Malaysia has nothing to do with race, religion or beliefs. I can be hardcore Malay, Chinese or Indian and practicing Islam or Buddhism or Hinduism on a micro level but on a macro level, I am still a Bangsa Malaysia granted with equal rights and benefits. Bangsa Malaysia means equal treatment irregardless of the fact that you are a 4^th generation Malaysian Indian or 2^nd generation of an Indonesian immigrant.

Bangsa Malaysia means working together for the benefit of the nation without any influence of individual interest, religion or race. For those still clinging on to the outdated ideas and arguments, please get real – the more divided we are as a nation, the easier for the other countries to roll and kick us on all aspect – Singapore already started to do so. The sooner we adapt the “Bangsa Malaysia” ideology, the better our nation will be.

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