DECEMBER 12 — These past few days has seen a change. There must be something in the air. Malays in Malaysia , are normally passive. Their laid back attitude is quite well known. The Malays are hospitable. They dont like confrontation. They strive to be polite and more often than not advise each other to let it be and live and let live. But I see the days of live and let live are not what we have to do anymore. Our lives have changed much. We need to confront certain things. And speak out for ourselves. If we dont, others will presume to speak out for us. They are so not used to confrontation that being direct is seen as an umbrage in the Malay culture. Yes we Malays are a quiet lot. Except for me of course. I am about as direct and as outspoken as they come. Two days ago a group of 25 prominent Malay leaders, yes I call them leaders, in Malaysia spoke out against what they see as the country steering in a direction that is no longer tenable. If allowed to persist, this will damage the country (if not already.) They spoke out. Twenty-five courageous Malay leaders, spoke out. And now many many more Malays are speaking out. Many more should I hope. And I must now do the same. I must support them, and perhaps by default, encourage others to speak out too We dont want Malaysia to be steered into a direction that will destroy the very fabric of the unity that is the people of Malaysia. Some extreme groups have been speaking out, claiming they are there to save us, Malays. Drowning everyone out. So it is time we Malays, individually speak up about what it is we need. And you know what, this Malay says, she doesnt need saving. What this Malay needs is to be “Unsaved.” This to her, means, to experience and learn about life as others do to uplift herself amongst her peers .. to be able to make mistakes but learn through them, to learn perseverance with challenges, to learn independence for herself, to learn about working hard so that she is grateful and proud of everything she has done and achieved by herself, so she may have self respect and that she may pass those values on to her own children and that they may have self respect too amongst their peers. What she needs is to see leadership to steer Malaysia towards success and every ingredient that it takes to ensure that Malaysia and her people succeeds as they are deserving of this. What this Malay needs is to see courageous leaders who speak up so that this Malay (and every other Malay in Malaysia ) will be courageous. - See more at: themalaymailonline/what-you-think/article/it-is-time-to-speak-up-for-ourselves-shila-abu-hashim#sthash.eEJ78JxG.dpuf
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:33:39 +0000
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