Untouchable newspaper

ARCHIVES 2009

By admin-s On Jun 7, 2009

Non-Malays shouldn’t worry about Utusan’s ranting

By Amde Sidik, KADAYAN JOURNAL

Thus Utusan’s so-called ‘jihad’ today must be seen in the light of what’s happening in Malaysia’s political landscape particularly after the last general election. Former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quite oblivious to the ramifications of his blind liberal policies.

Read the article written by Saad Hashim (Malaysiakini), his response to Zaid Ibrahim

As an observer, I’m trying to make sense of the argument put forward by Saad Hashim in his response to the article written by Zaid Ibrahim.

The issue is, Zaid was accusing that Utusan Malaysia of being extreme and stoking racial flames in particular with his reference to an article titled Melayu Dikhianati (Malay Betrayed) by Awang Selamat, Sunday Edition.

Saad agreed with the Utusan. He is of the opinion that Zaid is Malay in a different class living in different world.

First, I must make it clear I can’t be a hundred percent neutral to any side. Second, I didn’t take all the points for discussion but limit to a few. But to tell my readers I’m for democracy and trying to be as democratic as democratic can be. I’m for mindsets change and no looking back, and I believe in the usefulness of rule of law.

Let ask this question, do people think -a multiracial Malaysians in general feel threaten, hurt, uneasy, uncomfortable and or even frighten when they read the article?

In as far as Zaid argument is concerned the answer is yes. But Saad viewed it otherwise.

Saad argument is, nobody should feel threatened; it’s all right for Utusan to make such remark, because not all the three are driving BMWs.

According to Saad because of disparity among the groups, Malay are poor, he cites an example, by looking at Malays spending power at posh shopping malls in Mid Valley and the Pavilions.

Malays are homeless when the Chinese and the Indians can walk into so many political parties and never feel uncomfortable.

The fact, public is aware that Utusan is the mouthpiece of the main political party that has ruled the nation for last 51 years. That makes Utusan a special and untouchable newspaper.

The big question is why did Utusan behave like an opposition political party’s medium and wants to arouse people’s sentiment.

Many people are of the opinion that Utusan should have been matured enough by now, and therefore they must have certain degree of responsibility instead of behaving like a spoil child.

Time has changed; much younger generation may not be interested to hear political gimmick like using race and religion to fish them.

Many think urban people don’t share the view; Utusan is not catching up with the new idea. When Saad said non-Malay shouldn’t worry about Utusan ranting, what assurance has he got that it doesn’t create sentiment? What about if other newspapers respond to it or behaving the same?

Was it because of non-Malay don’t read it? If ranting doesn’t mean anything, why doing it? Is this not typical of time wasting?