Ong: Our ancestors contributed vastly GENTING HIGHLANDS: It is the contributions and hard work of the older generation that have enabled the Chinese community to live in a stable and harmonious environment in Malaysia, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. He said it would have not been possible for Malaysian Chinese to play important roles in different fields in the country without the efforts of their ancestors. Compared to Chinese in other countries, he said, Malaysian Chinese was an extraordinary lot as their forefathers stood together with leaders from other communities to fight for the country’s independence. “Our community can actively participate in the mainstream of the country’s development as their roles and rights in politics, economy, culture and education are protected by the Federal Constitution. “We also enjoy the freedom of religion and this is the main reason the people could live in harmony in a multiracial society,” Ong said when addressing the Fourth World Zhuang and Yan Clans Convention here yesterday. Therefore, he said, it was important to maintain the unity among members of an organisation to continue its role in fighting for mutual benefits.

The MCA leader is losing all credibility and lacks substance in his speeches. As highlighted above, the fact remains that minority groups have limited roles and rights in politics, economy and education. The recent UMNO general assembly has clearly underlined the state of minority groups in Malaysia.

According to UMNO deputy chairperson as quoted by Malaysiakini,

"He said the founding of Umno in 1946 coincided with an agreement by the main three races whereby citizenship would be granted to the minority groups in return for their acceptance of Malay special priveleges. "

“Fifty-eight years ago we had an agreement with the other races, in which we permitted them to ‘menumpang’ (temporarily reside) on this land. In the Federal Constitution, our rights as a race have been enshrined.

“Let no one from the other races ever question the rights of Malays on this land. Don’t question the religion because this is my right on this land"

It has been clearly drawn that non Malays are only granted citizenships because we have accepted that Malays should have special priviledges. These special priviledges should never be questioned as this has been agreed upon by individuals 58 years ago. It is not open for debate.

It is this mentality among Malays that have resulted in the fact that more blatant racist policies are being implemented without fear. Why can't an issue discussed 58 years ago be openly debated? Times change and certain policies may then be obsolete. This reminds me of the water issue with Singapore. Why is Malaysia now demanding for a higher price for water when they have agreed on a price many years ago? It should be non negotiable as an agreement had already been signed?

But one thing for sure, after the UMNO General Assembly, I personally feel less patriotic being a Malaysian. How can I when I am obviously a second class citizen in a country I was born in? How can the burden of our forefathers who immigrated here be passed on to future generations? We are still being treated as "immigrants with citizenship". This is the pain of reality.