The Malays’ path to democracy
Zaid Ibrahim
If you listen carefully to the statements by Perkasa and UMNO, you’ll realise they are very similar. For example, Perkasa is framing Sisters In Islam’s legal challenge of the Selangor fatwa as an attack on unity and harmony; indeed, as a direct challenge to Islam. This is a highly provocative and threatening response. If Malays were properly taught in school about the meaning of democracy and the concept of rule of law, not many would follow Perkasa. They would understand that it is only normal for anyone to go to court to seek a legal remedy when laws are not followed, and that this does not mean they are threatening harmony or engaging in civil strife.
When a group of 25 eminent Malays wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister recently urging him to show leadership and guide this country properly along the path laid out in the Constitution, Perkasa’s response was to launch a personal attack. What have these eminent persons done for the Malays, they demanded. If they had been properly educated, they would have shown more respect for these 25 Malays, all of whom served the country their entire working lives. The least Perkasa can do is acknowledge their contributions, even as they disagree with their views.
The country will produce more Perkasa-like Malays for as long as UMNO remains in power. Unlike during my time, the Malays they produce now cannot think straight. They certainly lack the ability to think for themselves. In the party’s early years, Malays were told they needed a mental revolution. UMNO even produced a book Revolusi Mental, urging the Malays to be rational and mentally strong so they could realise their full human potential. It was an inspiring, thought-provoking and peaceful message. But the UMNO under Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is full of insecurities and anger, and always seems to be inciting Malays to do stupid things. Perkasa is the product of this new false ideology they are spreading.
