Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister has recently said he was Malay first and that "How can I say I’m Malaysian first and Malay second? All the Malays will shun me and say that it is not proper."
Instantaneously, it reminded me of an election campaign speech delivered by the late Loh Jee Mee.
Approximately 20 years ago, Malaysian held her 8th general election. As in previous general elections and the elections to come, the 1990 general election fell short from being free, fair and clean. The Barisan Nasional (BN) has always fond of “May 13th riot” and playing the racial card during elections and my late father was not spared from it, especially being a DAP candidate.
It was mentioned during the 1990 general election, that he was neither Indian nor Chinese—his late father an Indian and late mother a Chinese. In his campaign speech later that evening, he made it clear that he may not be a true Indian or a true Chinese, but he was a true Malaysian. He was Malaysian first, Chinese or Indian second. The 1990 general election was probably my first lesson on Malaysian Malaysia.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
13th Year Anniversary of the late Loh Jee Mee
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