SWEEPING THINGS UNDER THE CARPET Fundamental issues not addressed at UMNO Baru General Assembly

ETHNIC QUOTAS IN MALAYSIA ... 24

Coming out of the Ivory Tower.. . 8; Letters... 12; The Seeds of Destruction ... 17; Bridge-building between Christian and Muslim ... 19; Serving the Rakyat or the Ruling Party ... 29; Clean up or get Cleaned out...31; Ke Arab Kecemerlangan Akademik ... 33; Seminar Report: The Human Being ... 34; Current Comment...37. SWEEPING THINGS • UNDER THE CARPET Fundamental issues not addressed at UMNO Baru General Assembly

he UMNO Baru general assem­ The Umno Baru General to the old UMNO. The connection bly held on 17 - 19 Novem­ Assembly was a wonderful had to be made. The public had to T ber at the Putra World Trade media blitz where for almost believe that the old lJMNO and Centre (PWTC) was another in a every issue, an ''us versus UMNO Bam were really one and series of carefully orchestrated them" approach was adopted, the same. media events. The main objective of says ANIL NEITO. Hence, it was not surprising that the exerc1se seemed to be the bol­ invitations were extended to former stering of the image of both the UMNO presidents like Tunku party president (who is also the Abdul Ral1man and Tun Hussein Prime Minister) and the party in the suddenly transformed into a gigan· Onn to attend the general assembly. mn-up to the general elections. tic news event with saturation Whatever their motives in accepting With the media blitz on the SEA coverage in the mass media which the invitation - the Tunku had Gan1es and CHOGM over, attention . must have affected the sensibilities earlier been officially accepted as a was drantatically shifted to the of the ordinary Malaysian. member of Semangat 46 - 1t was ruling party's general assembly in a With one eye on the general apparent that their presence was bid to boost morale and support for elections, no effort was spared in exploited to the hilt in a concerted the party What would have been trying to convince (subtly) the bid to lend legitimacy to UMNO just another ordinary event in any general public that UMNO Baru is Baru's claim to assuming the mantle other parliamentary democracy was the logical and legitimate successor vacated by the old UMNO.

UMNO Baru general assembly: Bolstering the inlage of party and president in a run up to the general elections.

2 seeking unity, it would seem that this was the wrong time to drag out this matter. One analyst said he had the impression that Encik Ghafar seemed more concerned over his own position should the unity talks prove successfuL

2. $100 Million PWTC Furniture Scandal. The sudden interest shown in ex­ travagant spending on luxury furni­ ture at the PWTC was obviously directed at Tengku Razalejgh. Such lavish spending should rightly be condemned no matter who the culprit is. However, the selective manner in which the assembly criticised extravagant spending again raises questions about its sincerity in seeking unity. Tengku Razaleigh was chairman Laughter, innuendoes-and jokes upstaged serious issues facing the nation. of the UMNO Building Committee in 1984 and 1985 when the furni­ The actual proceedings of the Tengku Razaleigb's supporters. ture was acquired. However, no res­ assembly will be remembered not Having learnt his bitter lesson at ponsibility was attached to the rest so much for the matters which were the Johor Bam by-election last year of the committee which is believed raised but rather for the skilful when the Barisan candidate was to have included among others manner in which more fundamental soundJy trounced by Datuk Shahrir, Datuk Harun ldris, Encik Ghafar and pressing issues were carefully Dr Mahathir has always been care­ Baba, Haji Mustapha Jabar, Tan Sri ~wept under the plush carpets of ful to adopt a highly conciliatory Hajjah Aishah Chain, Datuk Senu thePWTC. approach in facing subsequent Abdul Rahman and Syed Nasir We will, first, take a look at the crucial by-elections. This approach Ismail. How is it that $100 million assembly's proceedings and then has paid dividends with the Barisan managed to slip out of the party's contrast it with the vital issues winning all but one of the polls. coffers without the full knowledge which were not addressed at the The continuation of this con­ assembly. ciliatory image was apparent at the assembly where he milked the cow MALAY UNITY of Malay unity dry, with his mind probably firmly fixed on the general 'Malay unity' has always been elections. seen by certain politicians as an Even if the desire for Malay idealistic goal to be bandied about unity were genuine, certain issues as if it were the solution to all our which were brought up at the woes. In adopting this approach assembly must have left the Se­ communal, rather than national, mangat 46 leadersllip with doubts unity is stressed. over the sincerity of those in However, even if complete UMNO Baru. Millay unity were achieved, some of the basic problems afflicting our 1. Attack on UMNO Dissidents. society, like ethnic and religious Encik Ghafar Bab~ the UMNO polari1.ation, are certain to remain. Baru deputy president launched a Why then, this sudden interest in scathing attack on the UMNO dissi­ Malay unity? dents who took the dispute on the The answer is obvious. Dr party's 1987 presid~ntial elections Mahathir is fully aware that the to court. This resulted in the party Mahathir on what makes a 'good' Barisan will not be able to retain its being. declared i11egal and the dissi­ newspaper: "Some of them are cherished two thirds majority in dents were to blame, he said. If really good, actually wanting to f"de Parliament without the support of UMNO Baru were really sincere in reports that will please us ... "

3 Some of the urgent national issues that were not addressed at the assembly:

RIGHT- Graduation!: But employment prospects remain bleak.

BOTTOM - Homele~!: The wealth gap between eUtes and ordinary folks is widening alarmingly. A place to call home: Foreign investment in local propertiei has pushed prices beyond the reach of the ordinary Malaysian.

and approval of the party president or the supreme council? Something must be seriously wrong somewhere. Only an independent inquiry can clear the air and pinpoint who was really to blame.

3. $1 Million UtuStJnMelayu Shares. Then. there was the accusation by a Melaka delegate that Tunku Abdul Rahman was holding shares worth Sl milhon 10 the Utusan Melayu Group belongmg to UMNO. A Johor delegate urged the Tunku to retum these shares and all other UMNO assets which he was holding which the delegate was later report· ed as saying "must be wonh about $10 million." The Tunku later clarified that the share certificate had been sent by Utusan Melayu to the PM's prl· vate secretary. He added that he had written to the PM's secretary on Oct 22, 1989 requesting for the certificate but the latter. '·has not - the courtesy even to reply my letter." The vitaJ question to be raised here is - why did Utusan Melayu send the share certificate to the PM's secretary if the share certifi· cate were really in the Tunku's name? If the shares were really meant for the old UMNO, then the certificate should have been sent to the Official Assignee. · One also cannot help but wonder why the PM or his private secretary chose to remain silent, allowing the Tunku - who was supposed to be the honoured guest and the 'media­ tor' in the proposed unity talks - to be the target for such baseless criticism. 4 LAUGHTER, INNUENDOES SEA Games and CHOGM lauded: No questions on the wisdom of multi­ AND JIBES. million dollar spending. The proceedings of the assembly were frequently punctuated by much mirth and laughter, with all kinds of 'lawak jenaka', 'pan tuns' and innuendoes whlch had the female delegates blushing (no mean feat, that). This light-hearted atti­ tude was regrettable as there were many serious and urgent issues which could have done with some debate. Datuk Seri Sanusi Junid emerged the king of the comics although he had some stiff competition from the SEA Games and CHOGM. the likes of the Jerlun-Langkawi Delegate after delegate heaped delegate, Encik Ismail Yaakob who praises on the PM with some going criticized the government over the way overboard. A Pahang delegate issue of 200 taxi permits to Saujana spoke of a "glorious era". Encik Car Hire Sdn Bhd. Indeed, one Ghafar said Dr Mahathir could also person wt10 certainly had a most be called "Bapa Malaysia" (a title about." unhappy time at the assembly was reserved for the Tunku). Another Pahang delegate described the PM Well, we all know which are the the Public Enterprises Minister, 'good' newspapers! Datuk Napsiah Omar who was as a true mujahid (Muslim freedom severely criticised and roundly fighter) and even compared Dr. jeered when she tried to clarify her Mahathir with the Prophet Muham­ THE ECONOMY role in the whole affair. mad when she llk.ened the PM's As mentioned earlier there were It soon became clear that she meeting with the Tunku to the many pressmg issues that were not was trying to pass the buck to her Prophet's meeting witl1 Abu Sufftan addressed at the three-day assembly "boss'' (the PM) and the other who.had humiliated him. - issues that were potentially more agencies operating within the ambit Amidst all this lavish praise and damaging and embarrassing than of her Ministry. Again, the whole honour, the cynic would be for­ the trifle seried a 1 the assembly. matter deserves a thorough investi­ given for suspecting that there was The economy should have come gation to clear the air. more to it than met the eye. With under close scrutiny as there were Other Ministers who were the elections fast approaching, dele­ several critical issues affecting the target of pot-shots and jibes were gates would have been anxious to nation's well-being. Encik Anwar Ibrahim (over U1e impress the party leadership in the SPM Bahasa paper leak) and Datuk hope that they would be selected as 1. Graduate Unemployment. Megat Junid (over the prison water­ the party's candidates in due course. The national unemployment rate bed scandal). One cannot rule out is around 8 per cent. This is high by the possibility that the issues were ATIACK ON THE PRESS any standards. Graduate unemploy­ brought up primarily to embarrass ment is believed to be even higher. certain leaders who are jostling for The Press also came in for some In the past, the public sector acted positions of power in the keen flak when a Senator from the as a ready sponge to absorb gra­ UMNO Baru succession race. Federal Territory suggested that duates churned out by local univer­ These issues were also 'safe' issues newspaper editors who published sities resultirlg in it becoming one which,merely highlighted defects in falsehoods should be rounded up of the most bloated public services the administrative machinery. They under the ISA, amidst loud applause in the world. did not touch on fundamental poll· from the delegates present. However, with the subsequent cies but merely served to divert It was left to none other than freeze irl public sector recruitment, attention from the real issues of the the PM to explain his government's an ever increasing flood ofgraduates day. 'tolerance' towards newspapers. In is flowing into the ranks of the un­ the process, he unwittingly provid­ employed. With foreign investors LAVISH PRAISE FOR THE ed his defmition of 'good' news­ more interested in cheap unskilled PM papers when he said, "some of labour, the problem of graduate un­ them (the newspaper~) are really employment is not likely to recede. lf Dr Mahathir wanted confu­ good, actually wanting to file In a sense tllis existence of a mation of his position as leader, he reports that will please us, but," he large section of dissatisfied, educat­ certainly got it. The government added. "sometimes some of them ed middle class Malays has aggra· was lauded for its role in hosting flle reports which we are not happy vated the present split in the Malay

5 body politic. Inflation is gradually rearing 1ts Vincent Tan, a close friend of the This did not mean that non­ ugly head and should be checked Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin, graduates do not face serious 1mmed1ately. The whole issue of got a number of these licences? employment problems. In many privati7.ation shoud have been sectors, workers also have to con· debated at length as it involves con­ tend with low pay, exploitative siderable amounts of public funds SCANDALS worldng conditions and long hours, and assets. rn the past, privati7.a­ but apparently. this was not of tion has resulted m public assets Several scandals l1ad occurred in much interest to the delegates. being handed over to the private recent monll1s which were still in friends of public figures. the minds of those present.Amongst 2. Widespread Poverty. them was the SS billion (give or GAMBLING take a billion) arms deal with There is still a large number of Britain. The Observer newspaper Malaysians living below the poverty In his now famous apology for had alleged tl1at ldckbacks had been line (whatever definition of 'pover­ allowing gambling and other vices promised to UMNO in return for se­ ty' is used). This. as well as. the wi· to flourish in this country, Dr curing !he deal. No attempt was dening gap in wealth between the Mahatlur, who admitted he was made to probe furthl!r into this. elites and the ordinary folks should dying to be called an "ulamak", Neither was there any attempt have been highlighted. provided a lengthy explanation of to find out more about the further No significant debate on the the goverrunent's stand. sum of S I billion in pubhc funds economic poHcy for the 1990's He said the government was not injected by Petronas to rescue Bank was carried out. agreeable to calls for a ban on Burnlputra yet once again. The Instead, the assembly merely gambling and drinking, and the irn· fund:; were required to cushion the accepted UMNO Youth's resolu­ position of stricter Islamic laws. A blow of an additional provision for tions on the economy. better way of convincing non­ bad debts. Some attempt should Muslims, of the virtues of Islam, he have been made to find out who 3. Increasing Foreign Investment In said, was not by banning these the borrowers weJe and why they Local Property Market. activities but by being exemplary in had not reprud their loans. ln recent months, foreign m­ all fields. Muslims, he added, should With this fresh injection of funds, vestment in local properties, presu­ treat these practices as a test of it is possible that the errant mably for speculative purposes, has their faith. Whilst one must borrowers will be let off scot free. had the effect of artificially increas­ commend Dr. Mahathir for his call Then again, the silence is hardly ing property prices. Together with a for moderation and tolerance in our surprising - UMNO is betieved to booming construction industry multi-ethnic and plural society, a have been one of the maJor borrow­ and a bullish property market, it is detailed explanation on the criteria ers having used the funds to con­ the developers who are getting rich. and procedure for awarding gambl­ struct the party's headquarters - The ordinary Malaysian is slowly ing licences would have been in­ the PWTC. beginning to realize that her dream teresting. Another scandal which was com­ Of late, there has been a prolife­ of owning her own house will pletely ignored was the S30 million ration of gambling activities and remain just that- a dream. highway scandal where the PWD is other games of chance in the coun­ While still on the subject of land, alleged to have overprud a contrac­ try e.g. Sabah Sweep Stakes and Big some attempt should also have oeen tor a sum of $30 million. Maybe, Sweep besides the usual Social Wel­ made by the delegates to probe this is what they call "highway fare lotteries, Empat Ekor, and further on the fantastic land recla­ robbery". Sports Toto games. Turf Club gam­ mation project along the West bling is also entering a new phase Coast of Peninsula Malaysia. It with direct TV links with foreign would be interesting to know which DEMOCRATIC INSTITU- turf clubs. (whose?) company is going to get TIONS AND HUMAN The speech by the self-proclaim­ the contract. RIGHTS. ed 'ulamak' was severely criticised .by certain Jslamtc circles in the lt would seem that the streng­ 4. Other Economic Problems. COUntry Wllich accused him of en­ thening of democratic institutions Other problems which were con­ COuraging the growth of vice activi­ and the upholding of human rights veniently ignored included the high ties. are ideas alien to UMNO Baru, foreign debt, officially quoted at In short, it must be said that Dr judging by the lack of debate on S24 billion but believed to be very Mahath1r's apology for gambling this subject. much higher as a result of the seemed more a guise to divert atten­ This is ironic especially since our government's indiscriminate in­ tion from the question of who were PM was supposed to have been volvement m heavy industrial pro­ the real beneficiaries of the decision appointed to chair a committee jects in the early eighties. Debt to award gan1bling licences. for committed to strengthening demo­ service now account for 28 per cent example, is it a mere coincidence cratic institutions in Common­ of budgeted operating expenditure. that the companies controlled by wealth member countries.

6 mum coverage in the news bulletin. About three quarters of the news was devoted to news on the pro· ceedings. In addition, there were 'live' telecasts and special 'round­ ups' every day. Another example is the presence of government ministers. In Parlia­ ment, they are hardly to be seen. However, for the UMNO Baru general assembly even cabinet ministers from other component parties turned up in full force. ln a way, this treatment of Par­ liament is symptomatic of the subtle changes that have taken place in the corridors of power. It is no longer Parliament that is supreme. The real powerbrokers now are the Cabinet and UMNO Parliament proceedings "incorporated" in the news bulletins while Baru. UMNO Baru general assembly received maximum air coverage. BREAKING DOWN OUR 'BERLIN' WALLS. the problem of pollution still exists Some of the issues which could on a wide scale in this country. It is clear that UMNO Baru dele­ have been highlighted are the indis· Meanwhile our rainforests are being gates continue to view the world criminate use and the continued depleted despite pious assurances from an ethnic perspective. For existence of the ISA and the other that we have a proper reafforesta­ almost every issue, an "us versus emergency promulgations in the tion programme. Nobody question· them" approach is adopted. No absence of a communist threat, the ed the environmental impact of the effort is made to bridge the widen­ lost independence of the judiciary, planned coastal reclamation project. ing gap with the other communi· the lack of public accountability by What is going to be the impact on ties in the country. Even within the party, there is a statutory bodies, the effectiveness fishing? Will tourists come to spend sense that the party leadershlp is and the independence of the ACA their time on reclaimed swamps? and the Elections Commission not in touch with the real needs of (especially in relation to inaccurate UMNO BARU OVER­ the party faithful - that of a decent education, better living con­ electoral rolls) and the continued SHADOWS PARLIAMENT curbs on the freedom of the press ditions and more favourable em­ and of assembly. One could go on The proceedings of the party's ployment prospects. These are also and on. general assembly has been allowed basic problems facing Malaysian to overshadow the usual sessions at society as a whole although ad­ WASTEFUL SPENDING Parliament. mittedly the problem may be more A simple exercise would be to acute within the Malay community. The spending of hundreds of compare the treatment given by However, what is amazing is that millions of ringgit for the hosting RTM and TV3 to both parliaments· UMNO Baru and other parties ope­ of CHOGM was also ignored. With ry and the UMNO Baru general rating along similar communal lines sections of our population still assembly proceedings. cannot visualize a world beyond the living in deplorable conditions (e.g. In the past, there used to be a self imposed walls of their respec­ the plantation workers and those separate half hour daily report in tive communities. from the interior regions of Sara­ both Bahasa Malaysia and English The challenge to Malay society wak) one would also have expected over RTM. This was subsequently in particular and Malaysian society delegates to question the leadership discountinued - news on parlia· as a whole, besides economic on the wisdom of spending further tary proceedings were then 'incor­ growth and development, is to millions on the SEA Games and on porated' in the news bulletins as, break down the Berlin walls con­ gigantic flags, flagpoles and according to Mohamad Rahmat, structed in our minds and work kecupats! the Minister of Tnfom1ation, "more together to overcome the funda· people watch the news." However, mental problems afllicting our POLLUTION AND THE before long, very little was heard on society - hot by glossing over ENVIRONMENT the going·ons in Parliamen l. differences but by accentuating our Even after signing the Langkawi In contrast, the UMNO Baru common aspirations in forming a Declaration on the Environment, general assembly received maxi- free, fair and just society. e

7 FREEDOM

COMING OUT OF THE IVORY TOWER The Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education

uring the past two decades, The 68th General Assembly tragic effects in Third World a tendency has loomed up of Higher Education countries. The most alarming is the 0 in the sphere of higher Institutions which met in prolonged closures of univemtles education to undermine, restrict Lima, Peru in September, which greatly harm the career or suppress academic freedom and development of both teachers and 198~ adopted the Lima students. university autonomy. This Declaration on Academic tendency has had a direct relation The original idea of a Declara­ to a contracting system of higher Freedom and the Autonomy tion emerged out of a discussion on education justified most often in of Higher Institutions of the academic solidarity and co­ terms of economic austerity and/or Higher Education. LAKSIRI operation programme held in political expediency. An un­ FERNANDO outlines the Nantes in 1984 as part of a World sympathetic public image has been context and origins of the University Service (WUS) Inter­ created of universities in many Declaration. national workshop on 'Aid and countries in an atmosphere of a Development in Oisis: What Role widespread growth in educated for Education?' WUS cannot claim unemployment. The most alarming Under these circumstances, the to have found the }mal tTUth' on has been the increasing violations of issue of tenure and other safeguards the matter. However, through human rights of teachers, students, to pursue academic functions have extensive consultations, both researchers and educational writers, become of central importance. within and outside the organization, irrespective of socio-political Academic freedom in its we have attempted to clarify many systems throughout the globe. The traditional sense, or university matters in terms of this Declara­ most vulnerable sector on the autono~ny however defmed, have tion. We hope this Declaration, in whole has been higher education. never been a part of official policies this year of the 40th Anniversary of ln the First World , the dominant in the Socialist countries. However, the Universal Declaration of Human thinking is that academic freedom the student protests last year in Rights, could help to pave the way is only curtailed elsewhere. This China, demanding more freedom, for more understanding, more assertion has now been challenged. highlight certain new emerging discussion and more action towards Brian Martin documents a number trends. Undoubtedly the new defending academic freedom and of recent case histories of academic policies of glasnost and perestroika autonomy of institutions of higher suppression which occurred in in the Soviet Union will have their education. Australia and Western countries; positive effects on higher educa­ suppression, according to him, tion. AUTONOMY: NO IVORY involves the blocking of funds, the The tendencies to curtail TOWER denial of promotion or publication, academic freedom/autonomy and The Declaration coDSiders outright harassment, the subtle to promote privatization where academic freedom as mainly appli­ undermining of reputation or, in its public education was the norm in cable to individual members of the most extreme form, dismissal. higher education have had many academic community. Autonomy is

8 the institutional form of academic Service, meeting in Ltma from 6 to society such as social equality, freedom and a necessary pre­ 10 September 1988 , the year of the peace, equal development of aU condition to guarantee the proper 40th anruversary of the Universal nations and the protection of the fulfllment of the functions which Declaration of Human Rights, environment; the higher educational institutions are entrusted with. As the Declara­ BEARING in mind the extensive (c) every State should guarantee the tion spells out, autonomy means set of international standards in right to education without discri­ the independence of institutions of the field of human rights which the mination of any kind as to race, higher education from the state and United Nations and other universal colour, sex, language, religion, all other foroes of society, to make and regional organizations have political or other opinion, national decisions regarding its internal established, in particular the or social origin, economic condi­ government, finance, administra­ Universal Covenant on Economics tion, birth or other status; every tion, and to establish its policies Social and Cultural Rights, th~ State should make available on of education, research, extension International Covenant on Civil and adequate proportion of its national work and other related activities. Political Rights, and the Unesco income to ensure in practice the WUS would not consider that Convention against Discrimination full realization of the right to education. higher educational institutions in Education, should be exempt from positive CONVINCED that universities and (d) education shall be an instrument suggestions and/or constructive academic communities have an of positive social change; as such, it criticisms by society. However, it obligation to pursue the fulfJ.!ment shall be relevant to the social, recognizes the need to safeguard of economic, social, cultural, civil economic, political and cultural these institutions from undue and political rights of the people, situation of any given country, pressures from the state and vested contribute to the transformation of EMPHASIZING the importance of interests of business groups. There the status quo towards the full the right to education for the are clearly acceptable responsibili­ attainment of all rights and free­ enjoyment of all other human ties that the institutions of higher doms, and be subject to permanent rights and the development of education should pursue. These evaluation. human persons and peoples, have been spelled out clearly in the Declaration to avoid any 'ivory CONSIDERING that t.Re right to education can only be fully enjoyed PROCLAIMS this Declaration. tower' conception of autonomy. in an atmosphere of academic In defming and setting forth freedom and autonomy of institu­ DEFINffiONS academic freedom and autonomy tions of higher education, the Declaration has consciously I. For the purpose of this Declara­ tried to avoid any conditioning of RECOGNIZING the essential vul- tion this freedom, although it states that nerability of the academic (a) 'academic freedom' means the 'the exercise of academic freedom community to political and freedom of members of the and autonomy is subject ro limita­ economic pressures, academic community, individually tions as established in the Declara­ AFFIRMING the following or collectively, ·in the pursuit, tion~ The primary premise is that it principles pertaining to education: development and transmission of knowledge, through research, is the exercise of rights which (a)every human being has the right study, discussion, documentation, entails certain limitations rather to education; than the rights of freedom them­ production, creation, teaching, selves. (b) education shall .be directed to lecturing and writing; the fuiJ development of the human WUS has resisted the temptation (b) 'academic community' covers all personality and the sense of its to proclaim the Declaration as those persons teaching, studying, dignity, and shall strengthen the International. The Lima Declara­ researching and working at an respect for human rights, funda­ tion allows the international institution of higher education; community and organizations to mental freedoms and peace; (c) 'autonomy' means the indepen­ move in the direction of proclaim­ education shall enable all persons to dence of institutions of higher ing an International Declaration on participate effectively in the construction of a free and egali- education from the State and all Academic Freedom and Autonomy tarian society, and promote other forces of society, to make of Institutions of Higher Education understanding, tolerance and decisions regarding its internal through a process of discussion and friendship among all nations and all government, fmance, administra­ consultation at a higher level, racial, ethnic or religious groups; tion, and to establish its policies taklng the present Declaration as a education shall promote mutual of education, research, extension starting point. understanding, respect and equality work and other related activities; PREAMBLE between men and women; educa­ (d) 'institutions ofhighereducation' tion shall be a means to understand comprise universities, other centres The Sixty-Eighth General and contribute to the achievement of post-secondary education and Assembly of the World University of the major goals of contemporary centres of research and culture

9 associated with them. nity shall be dismissed without a community have the right to fair hearing before a democratically freedom of association with others, 2. The above-mentioned defmi­ elected body of the academic including the right to form and join tions do not imply that the exercise community. trade unions for the protection of their interests. The unions of all of academic freedom and auto­ 6. All members of the academic nomy is not subject to limitation as community with research functions sectors of the academic communi­ established in the present Declara­ have the right to carry out research ties should participate in the tion. work without any interference, formulation of their respective subject to the universal principles professional standards. ACADEMIC FREEDOM and methods of scientific enquiry. 13. The exercise of the rights 3. Academic freedom is an They also have the right to provided above carries with it essential pre-condition for those communicate the conclusions of special duties and responsibilities educational, research, administra­ their research freely to others and and may be subject to certain tive and service functions with to publish them without censor­ restrictions necessary for the which universities and other institu­ ship. protection of the rights of others. tions of higher education are 7. All members of tlle academic Teaching and research shall be entrusted. All members of the community with teaching functions conducted in full accordance with academic community have the right professional standards and shall have the right to t~ach without any to fulftl their functions without interference, subject to the accept· respond to contemporary problems discrimination of any kind and ed principles, standards and facing society. without fear of interference or methods of teaching. repression from the State or any AUTONOMY OF other source. 8. All members of the academic INSTITUTIONS OF IDGHER community shall enjoy the freedom EDUCATION 4. States are under an obligation to maintain contact with their to respect and to ensure to counterparts in any part of the 14. All institutions of higher members of the academic commu­ world as well as the freedom to education shall pursue the fulfil­ nity, those civil, political, economic, pursue tlle development of their ment of economic, social, cultural, social and cultural rights recognized educational capacities. civil and political rights of the in the United Nations Covenants on people and shall strive to prevent Human Rights. Every member of 9. All students of higher educa­ the misuse of science and technology the academic community shall tion shall enjoy freedom of study, to the detriment of those rights. including the right to choose the enjoy, in particular, freedom of 15. All institutions of higher thought, conscience, religion, field of study from available courses and the right to receive education shall address themselves expression, assembly and associa­ official recognition of the to the contemporary problems tion as well as the right to liberty facing society. To this end, the and secmity of person and liberty knowledge and experience acquired. curricula of these institutions. as of movement. Institutions of higher education should aim Lo :-;ati~;fy U•e proft:s­ well as their activities, shall respond 5. Access to the academic siona] needs and aspirations of the to the needs of society at large. community shall be equal for students. States should provide Institutions of higher education members of society without any adequate resources for students in should be critical of conditions of hindrance. On the basis of ability, need to pursue their studies. political repression and violations every person has the right, without of human rights within their own discrimination of any kind, to l 0. All institutions of higher education shall guarantee the parti­ society. . become part of the academic 16. All institutions of higher community, as student, teacher, cipation of students in their governing bodies. All States and education shall provide solidanty to researcher, worker or administrator. otlter such institutions and indivi­ Temporary measures aimed at institutions of higher education shall respect the right of students, dual members of their academic accelerating de facto equality of communities when they are subject disadvantaged members of the individually or collectively, to express opinions on any national to persecution. Such solidarity may academic community shall be and international question. be moral or material, and should considered as non-discriminatory, include refuge and employment or provided that tltese measures are 11. States should take all appro­ education for victims of persecu­ priate measures to plan, organize discontinued when the objectives of tion. equality of opportunity and and implement a higher education treatment have been achieved. All system without fees for all 17. All institutions of higher States and institutions of higher secondary education graduates and education should strive to prevent education shall guarantee a system other people who might prove their scientific and technological depen­ of stable and secure employment ability to study effectively at that dence and to promote equal for teachers and researchers. No level. partnership of all academic communities of the world in the member of the academic commu- l2. All members of the academic

10 to interfere with the autonomy of institutions of higher education as well as to pr'event interferences by other forces of society. 19. The autonomy of institutions '' of higJ1er education shall be States are under exercised by democratic means of self-government, wlrich includes the active participation of an members an obligation not of the respective academic commu­ nities. All members of the academic to interfere commwlity shall have the right and opporturlity, without discrimina­ with the autonomy ·tion of any kind, to take part in the conduct of academic and adminis­ trative aiiairs. All governing bodies of institutions of institutions of higher education shall be freely elected and shall of higher education... comprise members of the different sectors of the academic community. The autonomy should encompass decisions regarding administration and determination of policies of '' education, research, extension pursuit and use of knowledge. academic freedom and the work, allocation of resources and They should encourage interna­ compliance with the responsibilities other related activities. e tional academic co.operation which men lioned in the foregoing articles transcends regional, political and demand a high degree of autonomy Extracted from the other barriers. of institutions of higher education. Higher Education Policy, 18. 1he proper enjoyment of States are under an obligation not 1989:2 {1).

THE WORJ.D OF BOOKS The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man Nothing else that he builds ever lasts Monuments fall, nations perish , civilisations grow old and die out. And after an era of darkness new races build others, But in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again . And yet live on still young still as fresh as the day they were written Still. telling man's heart of the hearts of.men centuries dead. -CLARENCE DAY

11 been usurped by UMNO Bacu. Judging by the extensive media coverage of the UMNO Baru Assembly, the General LETTERS Elections will be held anytime now - for this is We wilcome letters from readan. letters can ~ either in English 9r ~hasa where au the media hype is leading us to. M11layslil. Jtlese letten l1'laY- ~ ei:(ited fw purposes qf space and clarity. The !tiews rney not be those of the Aliran Monthly. P$eudonyms are accepted but FinaJJy, I would like to assure your all letten should inClude die writei"~ name and 'fddress. Letters shouJd: reader, En. lrnran Haji Ismall, AlOJ: Setar preferably' be typewritten wltb dou~ll!';spacing; It hand-written they should (Letters, AM Vol. 9:8) that I am not a be l!l9ible. Semangat' 46 supporter or an ardent fan lehersshould be addressed to the Editor, Aliran Monthly, P.O. Box 1049, of Tengku Razaleigh. There are certain 10930 Penang, Malavsla. fundamental democratic principles that transcend partisan interests.

HJDUP DEMOKRASJ Butterworth "SURVIVAL IS MORE know what they are talking about. They IMPORTANT THAN are BLINDLY telling each other to BLJNDLY obey _and be loyal to the DEMOCRACY " UMNO top leaders. And the public is being indirectly informed that unless the hameless! Shamelesslit is indeed Malays in the UMNO are holding the a crying shame that a supposed­ 'political trump card' then we should not s ly wise man like Perlis UMNO expect any proper democracy in our Chief Dr. Abdul Hamid Pawanteh could country. I. proudly tell UMNO Youth members & Tell me, Joyal Malaysians, how can the public that: "Malay survival is more we cont.inue to let foolish a.nd power­ .important to the party than upholding crazy people like these to run our multi· s~ . the principles of democracy." (NST 28/ racial and mulli-religiouscountry without 10/89) them causing further haem to our unity, Far more unbelievable than this is harmony a.nd democracy? A~ the fact that so many UMNO leaders and memben accept and uphold zealously THE WATCHMAN ABOLISH THE ISA! this 'thought'. Indeed these people do.n't Malaysia s a loyal citizen of Malaysia, I would like to caJJ on my fellow A Malaysians to wor:k for the abolition of the lSA. . head of democracy Our inconside.rate and co:nupted Survtva1 a Youth delegates Colder· leaders are very fond of e.'\ploiting the withstand any challenges e here he said Umno ISA in the .name of ensuring national KANGAR. Fri. - Perll~ would they be ready_to con~ ~~uld co~tinue to cham· security. lf the ISA is the only way to Umno chief Dr Abdul Ha centrate on upholding de pion the rights of Malays. ensure our nation's security, then l think mid Pawa.nteh today re- mooracy. . we Malaysians do not need that kind of minded umno Youth men;a- Dr Abdul Haml_d sa1d He took to task former security which threatens the freedom of bers tha.l Male.y survival Is members should g.ve full Umno members who re­ our people. more i:mportant to the su ort to party p~· lea~ers, fused to join the party be· Any action u.nder the ISA is an act of ly than upholding the prm- es~~cially party pre:t~~~l cause of changes following ciples of democracy. Datuk ..Seri Dr Ma a tr the formation of the new violence and brutality which goes against the Mohamed. Umno. the basic principles of human rights. He said only when Opening the Arau Umno Our courts are there to try those who Malays are strong and can l1ave broken the law. However, they have been ignored by some inconsiderate people claiming to be leaders. 1 have some advice for the poor judges of the Malaysian courts: please resign from your respectable profession and find a job elsewhere. Your contribution RTM AND TV3 SLAVES OF All this while, Parliament is in session towards tbe law js no longer needed and UMNOBARU and we do not get a single word of the your job will be well taken care of by proceedings there! Previously, RTM used the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. to have a special programme "Parliament Our leaders should stop deceiving would like to protest over the way Report... Later, this was canceUed and others by referring to Malaysia as a RTM and TV3 are being manipulated parliamentary reports were incorporated democratic country. The international I to serve the interests of'UMNO Baru. into the various news bulletins. Now, community should be notif"Jed that Now that the UMNO General Assembly even this has been squeezed out by news Malaysia is under

12 DUBIOUS ARGUMENTS IN and aspirations of Sabahans. * People dissatisfied with the spiritual It is the legitimate role of the DAP, beliefs and philosophies of a certain ABDUL KARIM'S ARTICLE as oppositio.n party, to highlight the religion. They never attempt to weaknesses and failures of the PBS evaluate and study other spiritual bdul Rahim Karim, correctly government. It is the government's !'Ole traditions and systems of thought, blames the West for the deterio­ to address these issues and place them in but simply proclaim themselves 'free­ A ration in their relations with their proper perspective. thinkers' assuming that all spiritual China (A.M. Vol. 9 No.9). One of the primary functions of a values, beliefs and philosophies are of However, he makes some dubious government is to protect the rights of the same characte.r. arguments along the way. every citizen. If an injustice has been • People devoured by pride in their committed, the pioblem has to be intellectual and materialistic achieve­ I. Is human rights a relative concept, .resolved. The PBS administration must ments. They feel that it is beneath especially in Third World countries? not allow itself to be dragged into them to accept traditional values and This argument, long favoured by motive-questioning, butlying and low­ beliefs. corrupt, self-serving elites, rarely level «mud-slinging" with the opposition * The materialist who has little or no holds up under close examination. because the focus will then be lost. The time for religion but nevertheless For example, Soviet propaganda real issues will not be addressed and, as a does not want to be stigrnatised a.s boasted ;n the seventies and early result, the people will suffer! being religious. By branding himself eighties of providing "economic With the coming by-election in as a 'free-thinker' he feels that he can rights" rather than bourgeois "human Ranau, another level of politicking has appear progressive and intetlectually rights". Today the Soviets t11emselves emerged. Spurred by Datuk· Mark dignified. admit these claims were hollow. Koding's decision to joirl the newly * Intellectuals captivated by man's 2. Was the May Fourth Movement of formed Peoples Justice Party or AKAR, secular achievements in the field of 1919 really "anti-Western"? newspaper head l~es these days seem to science and technology. They see in Not in terms of ideas. The partici­ highlight the confrontation between the progressive evolution of science pants used Western concepts of AKARand the ruling .PBS. greater realities to come. Only this "nationalism" (including Wilson's "14 Key members of the PBS have offer­ category of individuals is worthy of Points") to denounce Western impe­ ed to resig11 in order to meet the challenge the term 'free-thinker'. rialism. Even the doctrine of Marxist· from AKAR leaders head on. l.s it not Leninism, Jater taken up by the May the paramount duty of these leaders to It must be remembered that thinking Fourth protestors, is a Western attend to the problems of the people .in cannot take place within a 'void'. We ideology. Sabah, fast, before engaging in pointless must have some knowledge of the great 3. Was arch-imperialist George Bush confrontation with the opposition? intellectual and spiritual traditions of the orchestrating the counter-revolution Indeed, it is within the I'ights of the past before we can wea.ve our own in Tiananmen Square? opposition to expose weaknesses and intellectual fantasies. On the contrary, George Bush has voice discontent towards the policies or Today, we have the paradox of •free­ tried desperately to maintain good actions taken by the ruling party. thinkers' who don't think. II seems that relations with China. It was a coali­ We Sabahans are not going to be any Tom, Dick and Harry can become a tion of left-wing "Democrats" witJ1 fooled by this new brand of politics. We 'free-thinker'. The only pre;equisite is extreme right-wing "Republicans" in will judge for ourselves when the time to renounce faith in all religions, the U.S. Congress who stirred tlle fren­ comes to exercise our rights as voters. proclaim oneself as a 'free-thinker' and zy of opposition to Deng Xiaoping. In the meantime, let's focus on the keep quiet. real issues at hand and resolve ,them for I urge the so-<:alled 'free-thinkers' ip the betterment of Sabah and its people. our midst to stop perpetuating an HUGO S. CUNNINGHAM intellectual hypocrisy under the guise of 'free-tllinking'. Honesty is a better virtue Boston, USA WAHAB OSMAN U1an the myth of 'free-thinking'. Sundakan P. RASAHUGAN Jpoh

STOP TillS UNNECESSARY POLITICKING FREE-THINKERS ARE NO-THINKERS! ecent weeks have seen new RICH PLANTATIONS Vs levels of "politicking" in Sabah. growing number of educated POOR ESTATE WORKERS We have witnessed accusations R people witll vague ideas about and counter accusations between the their own spiritual traditions r uling PBS and opposition parties withiJ:l A n our country, the agricultural plan­ have begun labeUing themselves as 'free­ and outside t he State. tations have already become very ricl1 thinkers'. The present state of political I but the hardworking workers in the A 'free-thinker' is one who constant­ confusion was exacerbated by the arrival estate are still very poor. Why? ly ponders on the realities of life. But a of DAP leaders, Mr. Lim Kit Siang and We have 18 oil palm plantations and good number of our 'free-thinkers' are his son, Mr. Lim Guan Eng on a five day another 26 rubber plantation-based just plain dreamers, submerged in the tour of Sabah. As expected, many issues companies, 500 (estimated) unlisted passions and fanfare of the world. were highlighted by the DAP leaders companies and srnallholdings. They are whkh, understandably, angered the PBS Who are these free-thinkers? They already very rich because of the consis­ ranlc-and-file. Among these were atlega­ can be categorised as fo~ows: tent good commodity prices and the tions that corruption within the PBS was * People with very little knowledge of high productivity of both management " the highest in Malaysia"; the govern­ their own religious traditions. They and thousands of workers. Everyone has ment's failure to curb "the continued have never attempted to understand been amply rewarded including State presence of illegal immigrants~ and "a their own 1eligions in depth but have governments and the Federal govern­ general let-down" in fulfilling the needs arrived at wrong conclusio.ns. ment. But, do you thinlc that tlle

13 Our government leaders are extensive­ workers are properly remunerated and investigate negligent officers and replace ly promoting the use of Bahasa Malay­ taken good care on them with those who have a high sense The answer is certainly no. There are of responsibility, dedication and sia. However, they deny a peoples' many reasons, namely: discipline. organization the right to publish a In line with the government's con­ Bahasa magazine. 1) Many are suffering from malnutrition cept of lslamisation, its personnel should On 19 October 1989 at the Dewan brought about by poverty. be inculcated with moral values. They Rakyat, En. GJtabar Baba tabled a new 2) Poor inf:rastructUJe. These areas are should be imbued with patriotism and bill to amend the National Language Act still "ulu" and the transport system is morality. The government aJJocates 1967 which was eventually passed. He highly unsatisfactory. excessive attention to the materialistic vociferously UJged lawyers and judges to 3) Poor educational facilities and oppor­ aspects of life while it gives scant atten­ be firm and committed in promoting tunities. tion to the spirituaJ aspect. So far, its Bahasa Malaysia. This has created the 4) Little recteational facilities for concept of Islamisation has been super­ imp1ession that the government is children. ficial. serious in promoting the Natiol\31 5) Uncaring attitude on the part of tlte The Ministry of Home Affairs must Language but then, why was AM refused management who are mainly profit­ not hesitate to take action against the a permit for a Bahasa magazine? I am oriented and reluctant to make Prisons Department for failing to quite sure the Bahasa AM magazine allocations for development. exercise its duty. A responsible govern­ would be a translation of the English 6) The 'divide and rule' policy adopted ment will undertake remedial measures edition. Is tlte government afraid that over illiterate workers. to restore public confidence. ruraJ people and the younger generation, 7) Poor water supply and horrible who together form the majority, will get sanitary conditions. FA/ZA N BIN MOHDARSHAD to know the truth and have access to 8) A common perception that planta­ Buttenvonh nationaJ .issues e.g. scandaJs, abuse of tion workers are stupid and dirty, power, laws which curb the people's and as such, do not deserve better freedom (ISA, OSA, Police Act, Printing working conditions. Presses and Publications Act, etc) and 9) Labour and manpower departments injustices? which ue not as action oriented as Your recent survey indicates tltat one would expect. very few people below the age of 25 read THERE IS FREEDOM IN Who is responsible for this state of your magazine. This again is due to fhe affairs? The plantation companies and MALAYSIA! language problem as they are educated in smallholdings who directly benefit from the National Language and find it difficult to read 31\d understand English. the system. The system should bear the t is 1eaJly far-fetched for Aliran to brunt of the responsibility while the I hope Atiran will persist in its efforts continue claiming that there is n? to obtain a permit to publish AM in the State and FcderaJ governments, and the ·ueedom in this country. ActoaJJy, if unions too, should aJso take some of the I National Language. 1 may ask, what is the real definition bL .. ne. of 'freedom'. Can Abran or anybody else N. MAH£NDRAN name a single nation in this world which MN. RAJAN Port Klang practises the complete freedom that Kuala Lumpur Aliran ltas in mind? . If there is no freedom in this coun· try, you, my dear readers, would not be reading this periodicaJ! No one would have heard of Rocket. llarakah, Watan, Mingguan Kot~ etc. in which one can condemn the government without any NECC:GOVERNMENT PRISONS DEPARTMENT action being taken against him. No one SHOULD BE SINCERE SHOULD BE REVAMPED would have heard about or read columns written by Sabery Cheek, Yahaya lsm.ail, alaysians Iead on 4 November Subky Latiff, Tunku Abdul R~hman , he recent series of prison escapes 1989 that the DAP had puUed Sulaiman PaJestin, etc. Is ttns not M shouJd be seriously reviewed by out of the NECC. freedom? T the government. The Prison Incidentally, this letter will prove This decision by the DAP may be justified. The use of BaJtasa Malaysia was Department urgently needs a thorough whether there is any freedom of speech revamp. Negligent prison officers have made compulsory. The NEP is not a in the Aliran Monthly! besmiJ:ched the image of the Prisons contest to judge who can speak the Department. AFAG NationaJ Language fluently. Whatever It must be remembered that the Tanjong has happened to the relevant Articles in Police appreltended the criminals, the the Malaysian Constitution? In case court passed the sentence and later on, some of you have forgotten, one of the these criminaJs were placed under the articles prescribes totaJ "Freedom of ptison officers' close surveillance. Expression". Today no Malaysian is Instead of surveillance, these prison against BaJtasa Malaysia, 1 am sure. More officers 1tave been linked to the escapes. tltan ever, BaJtasa Malaysia, is spoken in It is a betrayaJ of trust. lf they are found DOUBLE STANDARDS IN many non-Malay homes as a first language guilty of conniving with these criminals, PROMOTING BAHASA especially by the younget generation. The members of the NECC should have they should be sacked. MALAYSIA In spite of the modernisation of been given tlte option of using Bahasa prisons, security is still lacking. Even if Malaysia or English. It is ridiculous for a the government seeks the advice of fter over 32 years of. Indepen­ few UMNO leaders to demand the use of experts to install sophisticated devices, dence, Ali.ran still has to struggle Bahasa only in the NECC. These leaders tlley are doomed to failure because the A to obtain a permit to publish should grow up. reaJ culprits are the prison pe1sonnel tl1e Aliran Monthly (AM) in the National Another reason cited by Mr. Lim IGt themselves. The government sltould first Language. Siang to justify the pull-()Ut was that key

14 UMNO ministers were not actively shortage of licensed factory buses. involved. Malaysians would suspect that b) Small-scale factories, which aze now the government is not sincere in seeking providing transpon service to their a national consensus. In fact, top-Bazisan workers as part of their agreed terms National and Opposition leaders, as well of service, prefer smaller transport as representatives from the general vehicles like vans rather than big public should work closely together to factory buses. , · help formulate a better policy for all c) As more people are being .recruited Malaysians, regazdless of race ot religion. f10m small, .remote areas, it Js more logical to use vans rather than big "KARUPPAN" buses to pick up the smaller number lahar Bohru of workers. d) Factory bus operators who have been contracted to convey workers from several places, but who have been unable to comply with their contracts by themselves, have sub

15 OPEN YOUR EYES!

ou have printed the whole truth about what is happening in Y Malaysia, what the Barisan is doing, and what our PM and his suppor­ ters are doing. The MCA and the MIC seem to be 'kow-towing' to the PM. Jt's up to the people now to OPEN their eyes and stop behaving like buffaloes witlt strings through their noses being led by their MASTER. It is up to tltem to vote for more Opposition MPs and deny the Badsan a two-third majority in Parliament, so that the Opposition will be able to keep a check on the government. Another thing I would like to bring up is that many poor people had placed deposits and bought shales in Nesa Cooperative and Maika % I Holdings. ntey have not received their Mahathir and Samy Vellu have one thing in common: they both run a dividends for years. Many have become .party for their supporters only. poorer as a result of investing in these organisations. btstead of attending to these problems, Samy Vellu and Subra· Subramaniam's strongholds. He declared Samy Venu does not deserve to lead the maniam are accusing each other and 280 branches - which were aligned to MlC because of his anogant style of going fOI each other's throats amidst all Datuk Subra defunct on the tlimsy leadership. He thinks tltat the MlC and that talk about caste. grounds that they were unregistered. Samy Vellu are one and the same, and Why don't they have a 'free-for-aJJ' at This resulted in 60,000 Indians losing everybody has to sing praises for him the Selangor Padang? Ever since Samy their membership. He also suspended Mr. and support all his policies. All dissidents Vellu started growing hair on his head, Pandlthan and many of the ewe will be expelled just because they do not Waniu MlC seems to be flocking around members aligned to Datuk Subramaniam. support his policies. him and throwing their full support. Then Jte went on to tarnish Datuk It seems that the MJC has now be­ Subramaniam's image in the mass media. come just like UMNO Baru -one man's DISGUSTED Datuk Subramaniam was also removed party where only one man's supporters Prai from many important posts in the MJC. can become members. During the campaign, DatuJc Seri , From the presidential election, we Samy VeUu used his daily the Tamil can see that Barisan leaders are only Nesan, and other mass media including interested in gaining power and to RTM and TV3 to his advantage. He also achieve it they are willing to destroy aJJeged that Datuk Subramaniam and anyone who stands in their way. Datuk Pat11manaban had conspired with MIC HAS BECOME LIKE Tengku Razaleigh and Datuk Musa THIRU UMNOBARU Hitam to topple Dr. Maltathir in 1987. fpoh This allegation was oruy meant to tarnish Datuk Subramaniam's image in the eyes he recent MlC PresidentiaJ_I~~ec­ of the Prime Minister and other UMNO tions saw one of the dutiest Baru leaders with the hope that Dr. T campaigns conducted by the Mahatltir would eventually drop Datuk incumbent, Datuk Seri Sillny Vellu and Subramaniam and Datuk Pathm.anaban the challenger Datuk S. Subramaniarn. from the Barisan line-up in the forth­ GREENPEACE ADDRESS The winnet, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, coming General Elections. This would used the dirtiest tactics in the book to pave the way for Samy Vellu's right refer to the letter published in the ensme victory. hand men like D.P. Vijandran and Datuk Letters section from Leslie Lao (Vol. 9 History shows that Datuk Seri Samy Nijhar to be brought into the cabinet. No. 10). Since Aliran was not able to Many of those who voted in the presi­ I Vellu and Datuk Sub.ramaniam never had provide the address for Greenpeace, a good relationship. dential election knew that Samy VelJu below is the address of the United States In the 1987 vice presidential elec· would be able to find out whether they Headquarters where Ms. Leslie Lau may tions, three of Datuk Sub.ramaniam's had voted for him. In a way, they were obtain more information: candidates defeated the three "Datuks" coerced to vote for Datuk Sed Samy put up by Datuk Sed Samy Vellu. Vellu. There was also buying of votes in Greenpeace This seemed to anger Datuk Sed exchange for money and land titles. J 436 U Street, NW Samy VeUu. On top of that, one of his As far as the public was concerned, Washington, DC 20009 United States of America. VJce Presidents, Mr. Pandithan had the whole election was a fraud. If the become very popular and was gaining a election was supposed to be a secret I hope Ms. Lau will be able to find lot of support. Datuk Seri Samy VeUu ballot, then ail members should have what she is looking for, knew that it would only be a matter of come to Kuala Lumpur to vote in one Keep it up, Aliran. time before Datuk Subramaniarn place. Only after all votes ·had been cast chaJJenged him and brought him down, should they bave been counted, unlike TONG VENG-LY with strong support from Datuk Pathma· this election where, Datuk Seri Samy Pennsylvania, USA naban and Pandithan. The MICPresident VeUu was garlanded and celebrations had then began his plot to weaken Datuk begun by 4 p.m. even before results had fA/iran is grateful to Mr. Tong for Subra by identifying most of Datuk been officially announced. Datuk Seri providing us the above address: Editor]

16 TECHNOLOGY

THE SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION DANGEROUS BIOTECHNOLOGY

eaders of most Third World ability <.'Teates a potential for new biotechnologies will dissolve the countries are gripped by a ecological holocausts created in the distinction between "war" and L "vision" of development as laboratory. "development." Development itself high-technology modernization. In Nicaragua new strains of the will become more warlike and This 21st century "vision" is dengue virus have caused numerous violent, though quietly. And it will likely to expose Third Wodd deaths. These strains are not not be limited to Nicaragua or people to almost total subservience endemic to Nicaragua, and they Lebanon. National autonomy and to global corporate interests. The spread at a time when the normal people's autonomy will be crux of the new vision is the "new environmental conditions did not increasingly violated the world over technologies" which these interests exist for a dengue virus. The by corporations using the new monopolize. introduction of the virus could well biotechnologies. The microelectronics revolution be part of North America's "low­ As regulations on the release of and the related information and intensity conflict" concept of war genetically engineered organisms communication technologies have - which does not involve massive become strict in the industrialized already made their presence felt deployment of U.S. troops. North, experiments and tests with - in banks, in politics, in the Low-intensity conflict is partly a modified organisms will be airlines. These advances offer response to the anti-interventionist increasingly carried out in the little to the large masses of people, demands of the peace movement. South, behind the backs of the but fortunately they do not directly Whlle it looks benign, it is worse region's governments and people. In threaten their survival. The poor do than conventional war. Colonel Argentina, for example, the not gain, but they do not lose much Waghelstein of the U.S. Army Philadelphia-based Western Institute by the growth of new information Seventh Special Force has called it tested a rabies vaccine in 1986 in technologies- although they will, "total war at the grassroots"- and Azul , in collaboration with the Pan of course, lose much in the long run it is total in space and time. American Health Organization, as the mass media homogenize Biotechnologies will be crucial to without notifying the people and lifestyles and cultures. this quiet war. And the threat of the government of that country. It is a second group of new technologies, namely biotechnologies, which are far more important from the perspective of the poor, because they threaten their very resource base. They pose a threat that is in many ways more insidious than the nuclear one. This is because engineered life forms are largely invisible and their impact on human, plant and animal life completely unknown. Nuclear plants and nuclear explosions can be seen and heard. Micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses are invisible and the effects of their release irreversible. While nuclear radiation cannot multiply, living organisms manufactured in laboratories can. Spraying vegetables with pesticides : The ultimate winners are the This invisibility and reproductive agrochemical multinationals.

17 The Third World is rapidly becoming a laboratory and its people the guinea pigs in a new experiment. And in this experiment with unknown hazards, the 21st century syndrome becomes a major facilitator. Some months ago, Gyntech, an North American biotechnology firm, got a patent for making cocoa butter from vegetable oil. Countries like Ghana which depend largely on cocoa exports are now threatened with economic collapse. First, these countries were colonized through plantation economies, and now they are being visited by the new promise of processing industries. Unilever has cloned oil palms. This threatens to displace a quarter Rice-harvest: By the 21st century, world agriculture will be controlled million smallholders in Southeast by finns dealing with agrochemicaJs and seeds. Asia who depend on oil palm cultivation and will not have access communities have conserved and element of access, disguising the to chemical inputs and management developed over centuries. NaturalJy robbery of land and genetic that the b1otechnologically pest-resistant and drought-resistant resources. Ultimately, biotechnology produced oil palms demand. species of trees and crops are is an efficient means for A large number of frrms in the considered part of "primitive multinational corporations to U.S. are now using a new cultures" by biotechnology convert genetic resources to which technology to produce a natural engineers, whose work increases people have access into commodities vanilla flavour. This threatens the uniformity and threatens to create for sale. Corporate leaders expect survival of approximately 700,000 new ecological vulnerabilities. that by the 21st century only five small farmers of Madagascar who Most of the changes introduced frrms will be dealing with produce three-quarters of the by biotechnology are useless and agrochemicals and seeds, controlling world's vanilla beans, accounting hazardous. Nitrogen conservation world agriculture. for US$ 52 million in annual export in soils bas always been achieved by As corporations tum resources earnings for the island nation. intercropping cereals with legumes. into sources of profit, people have In India, large corporations like At the systems level, it is not much less access to sources of sustenance. Wimco and Tatas are making bids of an improvement to remove the Pepsi is breeding tomatoes in for what they call "wastelands"­ legumes and turn their field into a India for processing into export in reality village commons- for geneticalJy engineered foods (its efforts made easier by biotechnology use. Biotechnology monoculture of nitrogen-fiXing concessions recently awarded by is the new political weapon that maize. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi). But will colonize genetic resources- Biotechnology has transformed this does not solve the hunger a common heritage that pest control: Crops are bred for problem of the country's pesticide resistance so that greater marginalized communities. On the quantities of such toxics can be other hand, by taking land and used. The real winners in this game genetic resources from the poor, are the multinationals which the new biotechnologies in manufacture agrochemicals and agriculture wij aggravate the engineered seeds. Biotechnology hunger problem. thus becomes a new opportunity In sum, the new technologies for the corporate sector at a time of pose an altogether different shrinking opportunities because of prospect for the mass of the people the failu re of the Green Revolution. than for big business. The 21st It also poses a threat to the century for the poor will thus be environment and human health very different from the 21st century because it allows for increased use for the rich. • of pesticides and herbicides. The mystification surrounding SOURCE: THIRD WORLD Biotechnology has ventured to these new technologies masks the NO 18 FEB 1989 clone the oil palm threaterung to displace a quarter million small­ holden in Southeast Asia. 18 ETHNIC RELATIONS Bridge building between Christian and Muslim

DR. JAMAL BADAWI examines the major theological differences between Christianity and Islam. He aJso points out important areas of belief that are shared by both communities. He believes that constructive Muslim-Christian dialogue is a bridge to understanding.

U grace is due to Allah, Creator and communities should not learn about each other through Sustainer of the universe, and I bear witness sources that arc unsympathetic, critical, or even hostile: that there is no god but Allah and that they should rather try to formulate an honest idea as Muhammad is His servant, messenger and the to how the other faith is seen in its own authentic seal of all the prophets and messengers in scriptures and as practiced by those who are truly history. May Allah's peace and blessing be upon them committed to it. This need is even more significant in aU. the case of the Muslim-Christian dialogue. The average I'd like first to express my thanks and appreciation Christian has heard of or has read about Islam mostly to those who arranged this seminar, and I do hope that through writers who have had colonial or missionary we leave it with a better understanding of each other motives, which might have given a certain slant to their and with more positive attitudes. interpretation of Islam to the western mind. While I With nearly one billion followers each, Islam and admit that my own practice of Islam is far from perfect, Christianity are major religions that influence the I at least speak from the vantage point of someone thinking and values of over 40 percent of the world who wants to think of himself as a committed, population. While there are theological differences, practicing Muslim. some of which might be significant, there are Now I'd like to share with you five basic areas, nonetheless other important areas of belief that are consideration of which is imperative in any Christian­ shared by both communities: belief m Allah, or God; Muslim understanding: the meaning of the term '1slam "; belief in revelation, in prophets, in the Holy Books of the meaning of the term "Allah"; the nature of the Allah; in the life hereafter and in a divinely inspired human; the relationship between the human and Allah; moral code organizing and regulating human life during the question of accountability, and fmally, some our earthly journey to eternity. conclusions pertaining to bridgebuilding between Muslims and Christians. MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE For the Muslim, constructive dialogue is not only MEANING OF " ISLAM" permitted, it is commendable. In the Qur'an we read, Taking the term "Islam," it IS important to emphasize "Say, '0 people of the book' (a term which particularly that it is not derived from the name of any particular refers to Jews and Christians) 'come to common tenns person, race, or locality. A Muslim considers the term as between us and you: that we worship none but used by some writers, "Mohammedanism," to be an Allah; that we associate no partners with Him (in His offensive violation of the very spirit of Islamic teaching. powers and divine attributes); that we erect not from The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is not among ourselves lords and patrons other than Allah.' worshipped, nor is he regarded as either the founder of lf then they turn back say you 'Bear witness that we are Islam or the author of its Holy Book, the Qu~ran. The MusUms.' (Bowing) to the will of God." (al-i-lmran; term "Islam" is given in more than one place in the 3:64) Qur'an itself. It is derived from the word that means The methodology of that dialogue is also explained "peace" or "submission." Indeed, the proper meaning in the Qur'an; "Invite (all) to the way of your Lord of "Islam" is the attainment of peace, both inner and with wisdom and beautiful exhortation, and argue with outer peace, by submission of oneself to the will of them in ways that are best." (al-Nahl; 16:125) A Allah. And when we say submit, we are talking about prerequisite for any constructive dialogue is that both conscious, loving and trusting submission to the will

19 of Allah, the acceptance of His grace and the following idea that God is in everything. All forms of God· of His path. In that sense the Muslim regards the term incarnate philosophies are excluded by Islam's Islam, not as an innovation that came in the 7th monotheism, as is blind obedience to dictators, to Century, Christian era, with the advent of the Prophet clergy, or to one's own whims and desires. These all are Muhammad, but as the basic mission of all the prophets regarded as forms of "associating" others with Allah throughout history. That universal mission was finally (shirk), whether by believing that such creatures of culminated and perfected in the last of these prophets, Allah possess divinity or by believing that they share Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. the Divine Attributes of Allah. It should be added that, to the Muslim, monotheism ISLAMIC MONOTHEISM is not simply a dogma. Islam's pure, pristine and strict The next essential concept that needs to be clarified monotheism is much more than a thought or a belief; is the term "AUah." What does it mean? It shouJd be it is something that deeply influences the Muslim's emphasized first that the tenn 'Allah •• has no whole outlook on life. connotation at all of a tribal god, an Arabian or even a Muslim god. The term ''Allah" in Arabic simply NATURE OF THE HUMAN means the One and Only True, Universal God of all. We have talked about Allah. What about you and me? To think that Allah is different from God, with a Who is the human being? Who are you and I? And why capital 'G', is no more valid than saying the French are we here on earth? The Qur'an teaches that we Christians worship a different god because they call humans are created of three components. We are created him "Dieu". from clay, representing the material or carnal element. What are the basic attributes of Allah? The Qur'an We are endowed with intellect that is Allah-given to be mentions the "most beautiful names" (or attributes) used, not to be put on the shelf. Reason may be of Allah. Instead of enumerating them all, let's examine insufficient but it is not the antithesis of faith, either. a few. Some attributes emphasize the transcendence And thirdly, we are endowed with the spirit of Allah, of Allah. The Qur'an repeatedly makes it clear that which was breathed into us (al-Sajdah; 32:7, al-Baqarah: .A1.l8h is beyond our limited perception. There is nothing 2:31, al-Hijr; 15:29). The Muslim does not see human whatever comparable unto Him.'' (al-Shura; 42:11) existence here on earth as punishment for eating from "No vision can grasp Him, but ffis pasp is over aU the forbidden tree. That event is regarded as an vision." (al·An'am; 6: 103) A Muslim never thinks of experiential lesson for Adam and Eve before they came God as having any particular image, whether physical, to earth. The Qur'an teaches that even before the human, material or otherwise. Such attributes as "The creation of the first human it was Allah's plan to Perfectly-Knowing," "The Eternal," "The Omnipotent," establish human life and civilization on earth (al· "The Omnipraent," "The Just," and ''The Sovereign" Baqarah; 2:30). Thus, the Muslim does not view the also emphasize transcendence. But this does not mean human as all evil, nor as all good, but rather as in any way that for the Muslim Allah is a mere responsible. It is stated in several places in the Qur'an philosophical concept OI a deity far removed. Indeed, that Allah created the human to be His ..kbalifab ," alongside this emphasis on the transcendence of Allah, His trustee or vice-regent on earth. Humankind's basic the Qur'an also talks about Allah as "personal" God trust, our responsibility, is to worship Allah. Worship who is close, easily approachable, Loving, Forgiving for the Muslim is not only engaging in formal rituals, and Merciful. The very ftrst passage in the Qur'an, but it is any activity in accordance with the will of which is repeated dozens of times, is "In the name Allah for the benefit of oneself and of humanity at of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful ...." The large. Thus the Muslim views the earth, its resources Qur'an tells us that when Allah created the ftrst human and ecology as a gift from Allah to humans to harness "He breathed into him something of His spirit," and use in fulfillment of the trust for which we shall (al-Sajdah; 32:9) and that.Allah is closer to the human all be held responsible. That is why the Qur'an speaks than his juplar vein." In another beautiful and moving highly of learning. The first word revealed of the Qur'an passage we are told, "When my servants ask you (0 was, "Recite," or "read." As long as they were true to Muhammad) coocernina me, then sunly I am near to their faith and to Qur'anic injunctions about learning, theDJ. I listen to every 1Uppliant who caDs on Me. Let Muslims established a civilization that saw great advances them respond to My caD and obey My command that in science and in the humanities. Not only did they they may be led aright." preserve earlier scientific heritage but they also added For the Muslim, monotheism does not mean simply to it and paved the way for European renaissance. When the unity of God, because there can be different persons Muslims again become true to their faith such history in unity. Monotheism in Islam ls the absolute Oneness is bound to repeat itself. '3.Dd Uniqueness of Allah. which precludes the notion of persons sharing in Godhead. The opposite of ALLAH-HUMANKIND RELATIONSHIP monotheism in Islam is called in Arabic "shirk," association of others with Allah. This includes not only · We talked of Allah and of humankind. Now we polytheism, but also dualism (believing in one God must ask what is their basic relationship. The Qur'an for good or light and another for evil or darkness). teaches us that the human race is given an innate pure The concept ef "shirk" also includes pantheism, the nature called ..fitrah." Knowledge of Allah and innate

20 spirituality are inherent in human existence, but this (al Anbiya'; 21 :25) Further, the Qur'an insists on calling spirituality can betray us if it is not led in the right all those prophets Muslims, because a Muslim is one who direction. To depend on a merely human feeling of the submits to the will of Allah. Their followers are called guiding Spirit is dangerous. Many groups, even cults, Muslims as well. Thus it is an article of faith for a claim to be guided by the spirit or by God or by Muslim to believe in all these prophets. Indeed, Muslims revelation, yet these groups hold divergent, even are warned that anyone who accepts some prophets contradictory, beliefs. We find people behaving in and rejects others, in fact rejects them all. For a Muslim, contradictory ways who claim nonetheless that each is to believe in Moses while rejecting Jesus or Muhammad doing the will of God. "I feel," they say, "that the spirit is against the very teaching of Moses. And to believe guides and directs me." in Jesus but reject Moses or Muhammad is to violate A credible source of revelation is imperative. what Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad stood for. For Throughout history Allah has selected particular a Muslim to believe in Muhammad and reject either individuals to convey His message, to receive His Moses or Jesus is to violate his own Holy Book. ''Those revelation and to examplify it for mankind. For some who deny AUab and His apostles, and (those who) of these prophets, holy books or scriptures were giVen wish to separate Allah from His apostles, saying: 'We revealing Allah's commands and guidance. For most believe in some but reject others,' and (those who) of you the names of these prophets found in the Qur'an wish to take a course midway. They are in truth will sound familiar: Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, (equally)'unbelievers and We have prepared for Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, unbelievers a humiliating punishment." (al-Nisa '; 4: 150- Jesus, and, finally, the last prophet, ~uhammad, peace 151) Recognition of al1 prophets is an article offaith, be upon them all. These prophets carried the same not a mere social courtesy or diplomatic statement. basic message: "Not an apostle did We send before I do hope that with open minds, open hearts and further you without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that careful, honest study there may be more such mutual there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.,., recognition.

21 THE SPECIAL ROLE OF MUHAMMAD or punishment do not necessarily wait until the day ~"of Judgment, but start immediately after burial. The But why do Muslims in their testimony of faith say, Muslim believes in resurrection, accountability, and the "I bear witness that there is no god but AUah and that day of judgment. Muhammad is His messenger"? Does that mean that For a Muslim, to demand perfection in order to gain they in fact reject other prophets? Indeed, the special salvation is not practical. It is demanding the impossible role played by Muhammad as the seal and last of all the and is unjust. Islam teaches a person to be humble and prophets puts the Muslim in the positon whereby to learn that we cannot achieve salvation by our own honoring Muhammad implies honoring those who righteousness. The reconciliation of the "sinful" human came before him as well. Muslims are warned not to make fanatical or parochial distinctions between with Allah is contingent on three elements: the most important is the Grace, Mercy, and Generosity of Allah. prophets (al-Baqarah; 2:285). But the Qur'analso says that Allah has favored some prophets with more Then there are good deeds and correct belief. Correct significant gifts or roles than others (AJ-lsra '; 17: 55). belief and good deeds are prerequisites for God's Grace AU are brothers, although the only prophet with the and Forgiveness and for rising above our common universal mission to all humankind is Muhammad, shortcomings. How can sin be washed away? The Qur'an peace be upon him (al-Furqaan; 25:11). The Muslim gives the prescription: "If anyone does evil or wron~ believes not only that Muhammad is a brother to Jesus, his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah's forgiveness, Moses, Abraham and other prophets, but the Qur'an he will find Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." states in clear terms that the advent of Muhammad was (al-Nisa'; 4:110) Another moving passage reads, "Those foretold by previous prophets, including Moses and things that are good remove evil deeds." (Hud; 11: J 14) Jesus, peace by upon them (al-Araf; 7:157,al-Saff; Islam teaches repentance, stopping evil ways, feeling 61 :6). Even the Bible in its present form clearly foretells sorry for what one has done, and determining to follow the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (e.g. Genesis the path of Allah as much as humanly possible. The 21:13, 18, Deuteronomy 18:18 and 33:1-3, Isaiah Muslim does not believe in the necessity of the shedding 11 : I-4, 21:13-17, 42:1-13 and others). of blood, much less innocent blood, to wash away sins. For the Muslim, the Qur'an contains the words of He believes that Allah is not interested in blood or Allah directly and verbatim revealed to Prophet sacrifice, but in sincere repentance. The Qur'an puts it Muhammad, peace be upon him. Many confuse the clearly: "Bot My Mecy extends to all things." (al-A'raf; Qur'an with the "Hadith," or sayings, of the Prophet. 7:156) The Hadith is quite separate from the Qur'an. The later was dictated to Muhammad word for word through THE APP LIED ASPECT the Angel Gabriel and immediately memorized and put How about the application? Are we just talking down in writing. It is important to emphasize that the theology? Since the human is Allah's trustee, it would Qur'an was neither written nor composed by be inconsistent for a Muslim to separate the various Muhammad; peace be upon him. To hold such a view aspects of life, the spiritual and the material, state and would contradict what the Qur'an says of itself and of religion. We hear a lot about the "five piUars of Islam," Muhammad; that the prophet is not speaking on his b'!t they are often presented as the whole of Islam, own but only transmitting the revelation dictated to many times in a shallow way. They are not the whole him by the Angel Gabriel. To suggest that the Qur'an of Islam any more than one can claim to have a · borrowed from or copied from previous revelations, functional house composed exclusively of five concrete be it the Bible or otherwise, is, for a Muslim, an pillars. You also need the ceiling, walls, tables, windows accusation of "prophetic plagiarism," a contradiction and other things. As the mathematicians put it, it is in terms. The fact that there are similarities between the · necessary but not a sufficient condition. The five pillars Qur'an and previous scriptures is simply explained by of Islam (the testimony of faith, the five daily prayers, the fact that He Who spoke through those earlier fasting, charity, pilgrimage) are presented by most prophets is He Who revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad, writers as matters of formal ritual . Even the pillar that the one and only true God, Allah. However, the Qur'an is liable to appear ritualistic, daily prayers, is a purely is the last revealed Holy Book, which supersedes spiritual act involving much more than simply getting previous scriptures and the only one still available in up and down. It has social and political lessons to teach the exact words and language uttered by Prophet the Muslim. What may appear as separate compartments Muhammad. of life simply does not exist for the Muslim. A Muslim does not say, "This is business and this is moral." ACCOUNTABILITY AND SALVATION Moral, spiritual, economic, social and governmental We have talked about Allah, about the human and are inter-related, because everything, including Caesar, about the relationship between them. What about belongs to Allah and to Allah alone. accountability? How can we humans, from the Islamic perspective, overcome "sin ..? The Qur'an teaches that MUSLIM/NON-MUSLIM RELATIONS life is a test, that earthly life is temporary {al-Mulk; In conclusion and against this background, what is 67:2). The Muslim believes that there is reward and the implication for the Muslims in their attitudes toward punishment, that there is life hereafter and that reward non-Muslims? To start with, and we must be frank about

22 it, the Qur'an makes it incumbent on the Muslim to regard to those who fight you not for [your] Faith nor convey Allah's message in its fmal form, the Qur'an, drive you out of your homes, from dealing kincDy and to a11 humanity. We are not talking here about justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just. conversion. I do not like that word. Indeed, to turn to Allah onJy forbids you, with regard to those [others] Islam, the religion of all the prophets in its final form, who fight you for [your] Faith, and drive you out is not to turn one's back on the preceding prophets. It of your homes and support [others] in driving you out, is an augmentation, rather than a conversion, because from turning to them [for friendship and protection]. it does not involve changing one's basic spiritual nature. It is such as tum to them [in these circumstances], that In the Qur'an, pure human nature'is a "Muslim nature," do wrong." (al·Mumtahanah; 60:8-9) which knows its Lord and wishes to submit to Him. The In the world today all believers in Allah are facing Qur'an states, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." common dangers: atheism, materialism, secularism and (al-Baqarah; 2:256) My substitute for the term moral decay. We must work together. Allah says in the "conversion" is "reversion," in the sense of a return to Qur'an: " ... HAllah had so willeCi, He would have made the pure monotheism in which we were all created. you a single People, but His Plan is to test you in what Thus the Muslim is taught to be tolerant toward others. He has given you. So strive as in a race in all virtues. The l Indeed, the Qur'an not only prohibits compulsion in return of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you religion, but it prohibits aggression as well, although the truth of tlie matters in which you dispute." (a1- it allows defense: ''Fight in the cause of Allah those who Ma'idah; 5:51) fight you, but commit no aggression; for Allah loves I hope, feel, and trust that there is sufficient common not transgressors." (al-Baqarah; 2: 190) ground for Muslims and Christians to meet, understand ln addition, we find that within this broad rule of each other,join hands and move together in the Path of dealing with non-Muslims "the People of the Book" Truth, Peace, and Justice, the Path of Allah. is a special term accorded to Jews and Christians in the Thank you very much for youl: patience and may Qur'an. Why "People of the Book"? Because the Muslim peace be with you. • makes a clear distinction between a polytheist or an atheist and those who follow the prophets who origina11y received revelations from Allah. Even though The above is the text of a Muslim Christian Cooperation Seminar a Muslim might point out areas of theological difference, held at Warner Pacific College, Portland, Oregon in March 1982. we still believe in the divine origin of those revelations Or. Jamal Badewi, an Egyptian, is Professor of Management at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he lives in their "original" forms. with his wife and four dlildren. He is Imam of the Muslim How sl~ould a Muslim treat these "People of the Community of the Maritime Provinces and Chairman of the Book"? Says the Qur'an: "Allah forbids you not, with Islamic Information Foundation.

ALWAYS NON EXISTENT THAT WE MAY APPREHEND ITS INNER SECRET, ALWAYS EXISTENT, THAT WE MAY DISCERN ITS OUTER MANIFESTATIONS, THESE TWO ARE THE SAME; I ONLY AS THEY MANIFEST TIIEMSELVES THEY RECEIVE DIFFERENT NAMES.

- Lao Tzu

23 THE ECONOMY ETHNIC QUOTAS IN MALAYSIA Affirmative Action or Indigenous Right?

From a study of Malaysian o Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Pre· and the uses to which they can sident of the social movement, students abroad, ONG PUAY be put that matter" LIU offers some insight into T Aliran, the communal sitl!a­ Dr Chandra's article, "Quotas tion in Malaysia has worsened and the ethnic polarisation in the and Percentages - The Solution?" ethnic relations deteriorated over country. (Aliran Monthly, vol. 9, no. 4: the past decade, and this despite 7 - 11), clearly illustrated Horo­ the government's efforts to remedy witz's statement above. The ques­ the ethnic problem. To him, it is tion of economic deprivation is not precisely these efforts, in the form in Conflict. Briefly, the principle a primary consideration behind the of the NEP, that has increased behind Horowitz's thesis is that:­ demands for ethnic quotas. Rather, ethnic frictions instead of eliminat­ the moral basis of ethnic claims lies as Dr Chandra asserted, it involves a ing it, by emphasizing ethnic in group legitimacy within a territo­ notion of ethnic rights. Preferential membership. ry. To be legitimate is to be identi­ assistance and policies for indige­ In a recent issue of AM, Dr fied with the territory and this nous peoples is not seen merely as Chandra outlined the effects of means that one and one's group an affirmative action programme having ethnic quotas in government belong to the territory, have a formulated to improve the disad­ policies. The message i$ that quotas rightful place in the country and vantaged economic and educational based on ethnic membership is not are owners of the land. Henceforth, position of the Bumiputeras. the solution to educational and one's group should have the pre­ lndigeneity now seemed to be the economic inequalities between dominant (or equal) position in underlying rationale behind the ethnic groups. Rather, it is seen as a political authority and the adminis­ quota system and is being used as a tragedy and inimical to national tration of the country. If legitimacy platform to stake a priority clalm unity. is distributed unevenly among the to the country. These rights are I do not wish to go into detail various ethnic groups, then one seen as natural, inherent rights of about Dr Chan!fra's writings. group's claim to legitimacy (based the Bumiputeras, because they are Suffice here to say that the ques­ on indigeneity) provides a founda­ Bumiputeras. tion of legitimacy behind quotas tion for the recurrent psychological Are ethnic quotas and special revolves principally around two denial that another group owns an rights an affirmative action or indi­ issues:- equal share in the land. genous right? The communal con­ Ethnic conflict is thus basically a !) ethnic quotas as a form of affir­ sciousness and demands arising out manifestation of the struggle for mative action, to remedy educa­ of opposing perceptions between the group legitimacy. In the Malaysian tional, economic and political different ethnic communities re­ case, it is a struggle for recognition inequalities between ethnic garding the quota system has of Malay indigeneity (hence, special groups (because of past dis­ generated much fear and pessimism rights) vis-a-vis non-Malay- citizen­ crimination and the need for amongst them. What does the equality and unity); ship status (hence, equal rights). future hold for them and their This conflict is pervasive, for as future generations? ln a political 2) ethnic quotas as a symbol of a Horowits (ibid. 204) put it:- environment where discussions orr group's rights based on in­ preferential policies based on ethni­ digeneity. "it is not [so much} an objec­ tive question of who actually city are deemed sensitive and sub­ A detailed methodological came first, or who is acknow­ versive, much of these fears and analysis of the salience of claims to ledged to have come first, that resentment could not be expressed, group legitimacy in structuring govern the strength of claim to which could one day prove to be ethnic relations has been forwarded indigeneity. Rather, it is the explosive and detrimental to the by D.L. Horowitz mEthnic Groups political context of such claims country.

24 In view of the seriousness of ethnic composition [2] will further of being away from nome, on the ethruc antagonism arising from the show that non-Malay, especially other hand, might provide the stu­ demands and counter-demands of Chinese students, predominate, dents with the opportunity to view rights and status, it is thus pertinent most of whom are also privately tlie home situation with an unbias­ that Malaysians be allowed to air (family) financed. ed perspective, or the reverse. their views and grievances so as to The large number of Malaysian pave the way for more constructive students seeking overseas study and SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR bridging of ethnic disagreements the prominence of non-Malays in BUMIPUTERAS and fears. the overseas student population are Special rights and privileges for What then does the layman, the not coincidental, as illustrated the Bumiputeras pose as a conten­ ordinary Malaysian , think about below:- tious and very sensitive issue in special rights and ethnic quotas? "Malaysia's policy ofMalayswni­ Malaysia, not only because it What about those Malaysians who zation has led to quotas being constitutes a 'criminal off~nce ' Lo have migrated elsewhere? Was the placed on university admissions discuss them publicly, but also quota system one of the reasons and civil service recruitment and because of the different implica­ behind the move? And what about promotion for the Malays; many tions they have for the respective Malaysian students who seek over­ NonMalays are naturally dispos­ parties concerned. Whatever their seas study? How do they view the ed to seek their fortunes or at rationale, special rights by their quota system in Malaysia? And has least their higher education else­ very name, mean the separation of the experience of being away from where. ... ethnic tensions... will society into blocs, and the confer­ the home country affected their lead to large numbers (of non­ ment of preferential treatment to a views? Malays) seeking overseas study.. " certain bloc. With the demographic This article will focus on the change in Malaysian society, the (Moock 1984: 245-255) views of Malaysian students study­ question of Malay special rights ceased to be " a matter of simple ad­ ing in Britain [1] regarding the " ... Malaysw has a./ways been a ministrative policy but became a quota system/special rights in their very important market (for home country. Do these views Britain) since vast numbers of its very live political issue. The old revolve around the claim of indi­ young people go overseas policy of preserving the special genous tights and} or affumative because of insufficient provi­ position of the Malays were now action or discrimination? sions for higher education at placed in direct conflict witll the There have been countless home.... the launching of the demands of the non-Malays and the remarks and sweeping statements British Education Week in Kuala need to make concessions to them" (Ratnam 1965: 104). made about Malaysian students Lumpur has attracted thousands studying overseas, especially those of young Malaysians, predomi­ questioning their identity, loyalty rumt amongst them were the PERCEPTION OF CIDNESE and commitment to their nation. Chinese" Of the Chinese sample 97 per Malaysian students studying abroad cent regarded special rights for the (The Guardian May 13 1986:13) bore the brunt of criticisms and Bumiputeras as the most important verbal attacks from government The Malaysian student who cause of ethnic tension in Malaysia. officials principally because they leaves the home country for study To them, having special rights based are believed to be exposed to a abroad not only takes with him his on ethnic origins runs contrary to variety of influences. For example, baggage of clothes and his mixed the spirit of democracy and equali­ it was claimed that non-Bumiputera feelings of apprehension and excite­ ty as professed by the Constitution. stuP.ents studying overseas posed as ment, but also his values, convic­ Most of them believed that special a threat to the country's stability. tions and knowledge. lf, in rights were there because the They were alleged to have a ten­ particular, policy stipulates that, Malays felt it was their inherent dency to oppose the home govern­ because of his ethnic background, right to have them. They felt that ment because they ·were misled he was to be given various prero­ designating one section of the while abroad (STAR 28 April gatives or denied access to certain population as Bumiputeras and 1987: 2). coveted public ,goods like admission another as non-Bumiputeras not to lOcal institutions of higher learn­ MALAYSIAN STUDENTS only set the former apart but also ing, his attitudes then would over and above the latter. The ABROAD undoubtedly be largely shaped by special rights were seen as a denial The proportion of Malaysian how he perceived (and how others of the non-Malays' rightful position students studying abroad ranks perceived) such policies to be and equal status in the country. amongst the highest of foreign affecting his opportunities and­ In addition, their perceived student popul;ttion studying at livelihood in the home country. abuse of the rights as a result of institutions of higher learning However, being in the home coun­ arbitrary implementation made around the world. In 1983 alone, try might not have enabled the them feel more alienated and anta­ there were about 58,000 Malaysian students to view the situation and gonistic. While disputing the Malays' students overseas. A survey of their policies objectively. The experience claim of indigeneity, these respon-

25 dents felt that if the government reduce tension and prevent a Malay­ was sincere in helping the poor, non-Malay confrontation. They especially the poor Malays, then, it '' therefore attributed the reason to should be more selective in its offer Socio~onomic status and non-Malays' lack of cooperation of economic aid to the economical­ indigenous rights, on the one and unwillingness to support the ly disadvantaged. They therefore band, and citizenship and rights and help the Malays. Special agreed with the principle of helping equality on the other - these rights for the Malays would not the poor, but they disagreed with two themes seem to be the have been a cause of tension had the association of poverty with basis substantiating the claims the non-Malays understood and ethnic membership. The following accepted the necessity of giving the comments illustrate the predomi­ and attacks of both the Malays and the Chinese. Malays some form of preferential nant views of the Chinese treatment to enable them to close respondents:- the economic inequalities and "... the Malay government, eventually to compete on equal calling one group 'sons of the tenns with the non-Malays. The soil~ .. in fact, telling others that foUowing are some of the com­ believed that ''"non- Malays . who they have no rights here, that ments representative of the Malays' understand special rights properly Malays have more right to be views:- are agitated not because of special here than non-Malays" rights but because of their abuse ·'Non-Malays must understand (male, 42 months in Britain) during implementation" (Chinese the need for special privileges... male, 24 months in Britain). Malays were deprived of oppor­ " ... non-Malays are second-class tlmities during the British rule... citizens... " PERCEPTION OF MALAY special privileges - major cause (male, more than 4 years in of tension because ofNon-Malay For the Malay sample, 67 per Britain) lack of understanding" cent regarded Malay special rights (female. more than four years in " ... the government always makes as a major cause of ethnjc tension Britain) it a point to point out that they in Malaysia. However, as opposed are THEM, the Bumiputeras, and to the Chinese sample, there was no " ... special privileges - 120t a we are US, the Outsiders ... we are clear denunciation of special rights. major cause because Malays need like the step-son while they are None explicitly stated that the help to better their economic the heir" (male, 6 months in existence of special rights for the position. .. sti/1 some communica­ Britain). Bumiputeras divided the society tion breakdown betwee11 ethnic A strong sense of alienation and into those more privileged and groups; each group must be being discriminated is depicted in those less privileged, or that the made to realise that the history their comments. This feeling is rights symbolised Malay superiority of Malaysia especially during the clearly illustrated by one respon­ over the non-Malays. Their percep­ British occupation is such that dent: "the , non-Malays have tion that special rights were a cause now, there must exist some acquired a feeling of being of tension was thus not based on privileges to assist in balancing unwanted, alienated and a sense of the fact that special rights caused the economic wealth of the not being made to belong and par· divisions within the Malaysian country... (female, 42 months in ticipate on an equal basis in society" society. Britain). (Chinese female, 8 months in Instead, they regarded special The Malay and Chinese respon­ Britain). rights as having a functional necessi­ dents' views regarding special rights While almost all Chinese respon· ty. Due to historical reasons, the as a major cause of tension were dents opposed Malay special rights Malay community was seen to have therefore in contrast with each ~r &e and called for complete been left out of the modem other. While the former based their equality amongst citizens, there economic sectors; consequently, arguments on economic inequalities were two Chinese respondents most of them are based in the tra- ' and non-Malays' lack of acceptance, whose comments did not indicate ditional, low-paid occupations. The the latter associated the rights with opposition to the rights, but to Malay respondents thus felt it per­ the Malays' clain1 of superiority. their implementation. Both did not tinent that economic imbalances be Only two Malay respondents gave believe that special rights were a remedied. Having had a bad start, comments that somewhat paralleled major cause of tension; rather, the these Malays felt the Malay that of the non-Malays'; however, problem arose as a result of the com~unity needed .some form of there was a difference in perspec­ unspecified extent to which they preferential assistance or a handicap tive. To them, special rights were a would be implemented. To them, system. major cause of tension, not because tension occurred not because Hence, the Malay respondents they were divisive nor because of Malays have special rights nor could not see why the special rights non-Malays' unacceptance. On the because of non-Malay unacceptance should cause tension when, in the contrary, special rights would not of the rights. They therefore ftrst place, they were there to have been contentious had the non-

26 Malays known their place and con­ submergence of their status and' the policy amongst the Malays as ceded to the fact that "special position in the country. Refusal to opposed to the Chinese. rights are an inherent right of the accept Malay indigeneity would Socio-economic status and indi­ Malays on the basis of their being mean the Malays had less rights to genous rights, on the one hand, and the indigenous people of the ownership, hence, less power to citizenship and equality on the country" (Malay male, 6 months in formulate policies at th~ exp~e of other - these two themes seem to Britain). the non-Malays. be the basis substantiating the To them then, special rights for Hence, we would agree with claims and attacks of both the the Malays were not a deprivation Horowitz that it is the power and Malays and the Chinese. And as of the non-Malays' rights. The latter authority behind the legitimacy and stated by Horowitz, it is not the had enjoyed the economic fruits for strength of such claims that caused beliefs, but the political context of a long time whereas the Malays had the parties concerned to hold on to such claims and the uses to which remained on the side line [" ... due their intransigent claims. The they can be put, that matter most. to the advantage they had over the compromise seems remote. Hence, because of the power Malays ...who being Muslims, found attached to the legitimacy behind it difficult to be within the educa­ DIFFERING PERCEPTIONS these claims and demands, plus the tion system - primarily run by The responses of the Chinese fear that this power would be missionaries ... " (Malay female, 18 and Malay samples clearly indicate abused if it was accorded to the months in Britain)] . The Malays, that, whether the quota system and others, it is thus not surprising to though indigenous, were seen to special rights based on race are seen see the Malays' and Chinese' anta­ have been left out of the scramble to be a policy of affirmative action, gonistic stances. for the economic cake: "we, the indigenous right or (negative) discri­ Both the Malay and Chinese Bumiputeras, have been neglected mination, depends on how the stu­ students' responses could be used long enough; we are only claiming dents, as members of their respec­ to substantiate the prevailing ~iew our rights" (Malay female, 30 tive ethnic groups, perceived the of the Malaysian public that ethnic months in Britain). policy to be affecting their {group) polarisation and tension in the From the comments illustrated position and opportunities in the country does exist and is becoming above, we can discern a distinctive country. The predominant percep~ worse. In a nutshell, we could say theme running through the stu­ tion amongst the Malay students that the problem of ethnic tension dents' perspectives of special rights regarding the policy of preferential in Malaysia revolves around a stale­ and ethnic tension in Malaysia. It treatment and assistance in their mate between the ''Malays' fear of concerns the problem of defmition favour revolves around the belief being robbed and left behind" and between Malay indigeneity and that they are economically and the "Chinese' .feaF of being discri­ non-Malay immigrant status and educationally disadvantaged and minated and subordinated". • their respective claims and the notion of indigenous rights. demands. The claim to be The Chinese sample's responses indigenous gave the Malays a much reflected their group's belief that stronger legitimacy in claiming they are being discriminated and Ms Ong is a Jectur.er in the Rural ownership and preferential rights. not treated as equal citizens. In line and Urban Studies Programme, Granting the Malays indigeneity with these beliefs, we see a more Faculty of Development Science, would mean, to the non-Malays, a than favourable attitude towards Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

1. This article is an abstract of my 2. In 1980, 39908 Malaysian 3. For the purposes of this article, thesis, "Malaysian students students studied abroad, out of only the views of the Malay and studying in Britain: Identity and which 60.5 per cent were Chinese, Chinese samples would be taken views regarding ethnic relations and 23 per cent Malays and 16 percent into account. The total number of preferential poLicies in their home Indians. In 1983, there were 35283 repondents was 121 (Malay sample country", M.Phil., Department of Malaysian students abroad and the = 52; Chinese sample = 69). All the Sociology, University of Bristol, ethnic breakdown remained roughzy respondents were university stu­ Bristol, England, September 1985 the same. These figures were the dents studying at one of the - February 1987. reverse of student composition in following five universities in Britain: institutions of higher learning in Universities of East Anglia, Su"ey, Malaysia. In 1980, out ofa total of Cardiff, Reading and Oxford. 38125 students, 66. 7 per cent were Malays, 26 per cent Chinese and 6 per cent Indians.

27 BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT ______~ ETHNlCITY Editors identity Kumar David conflict crisis Santasilan Kadirgamar

Today we are facing a situation where ethnic and com­ munal violence is claiming more victims than ever before. The problem. endemic to many Asian countries, bas now touched areas where people have lived in relative harmony despite their racial, ethnic and cultural differences. But we still know little about the processes which convert the differences into conflict and even less about possible solutions. 'Ethnicity Itkntity, Conflict and Crisis' is a major effort by concerned and involved Asian scholars to grapple with this process. Using a combination of theoretical reflections and case studies from Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India - the book works towards a unified framework which details the role of the State and elite classes in .keeping alive and exacerbating processes which would keep the popular classes divided, suspicious of each other and sub­ jugated. Basing itself on the simultaneous processes of resistance and struggle, the different authors examine the possibilities of a just and peaceful world- the core values which brought them together on this project. This transnational thinking and shar­ ing may help reduce the divide between the social activist and the 'academic', thereby indicating ways out of the morass that we ftnd ourselves in. The ongoing project, of which this book is but a first outcome, is dedicated to this end.

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28 ELECTION SERVING THE RAKYAT OR THE RULING PARTY?

Partai Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia he Election Commission is (PSRM) presented a memo­ system of public representation the only body endowed with and affect public confidence in randum to the Election T powers to conduct elections the impartiality of our election." to the Dewan Rakyat and the State Commission on Oct 26, 1989 It is with a view to restoring con· Assemblies. To enable it to fulfil urging for refonn to certain fidence in this electoral process that this role without fear or favour of trends and events that we now present this memorandum anyone. especially the ruling party, threaten the democratic rights to you on the major areas of con­ the Commission is guaranteed an in· of Malaysians. cern. dependent status under Part Vill of the Federal Constitution (Articles AREAS OF CONCERN 113and 114). grave anxiety on the part of some The Commission's duty is not sections of the citi7.enr-Y. Indeed 1. Use ofgovernment only to ensure that the elections are even an Election Judge, in declaring machinery. conductec iri accordance with the the Tanjung Puteri J ohorc State The government must be distin­ various Acts and Regulations but election held on Aug. 4, 1986 to be guished from the political party also to actively ensure that any void, said that the elections were running it. Over most if not all of impediment to the holding of free not conducted substantially in the past elections, government and fair elections IS removed. accordance with election Jaws. Any departments and government ser­ lL lS in this context that we grave disquiet over the holding of vants have been freely deployed by express our concern because over elections will, as the Election Judge the ruling party in partisan cam· the last several years, the manner opined: paigning. The most recent example and spirit in which elections have " ... strike at the very foundation was in the Tambatan by-election of been conducted have given rise to of our free and clemocratic July 1989, where at some Barisan Nasional rallies, the public address system was provided by the Minis· try of Information. The Election Commission does nothing to pre­ vent or discourage this practice.

2. Offer of public funds to voters. This is done regularly and with impunity. For example, shortly before polling day in the Tanjung Puteri by-election, the Menteri Besar of Johor, in addressing the residents of the Constituency: * made a promise to commence construction of a $2 million mosque at Kampung Melayu Majidee; *also promised to upgrade the status of the Surau Kampung Datuk Haji Othman Saat to that In the Tambatan by-election, the public address system was provided of a mosque~ by the Ministry of Information: Misusing government machinery. *also promised to commence con·

29 struction of extensions for a religious school at Kampong Melayu for $700,000. (See Utusan Malaysia 12.2.1988).

3. Use ofpublic office for partisan political purposes. In the aforesaid example, the Menteri Besar at the same function which he attended in his capacity as Chief Minister, spoke of the government's further efforts to ful­ fil the "hasrat Tradisi Membela Rakyat". This slogan is in fact the election slogan of the Barisan Nasional not of the State Govern­ Waiting in line to cast their votes: Pencilled electoral numbers on ment. voting slip counterfoils viola~e the secrecy principle. During campaigning in the same by-election, the Prime Minister addressed the voters in support of electoral numbers on voting 3. No speeches may be made by tbe BN candidate at a public rally. slip counterfoil. members of ruling party at pu­ But to get around the ban against This is done regularly. There is blic function after nomination public rallies, it was announced that no basis for it as it violates the se-' day. he was there to declare open the crecy principle which is vital in any 4. The mass media shall not report Bukit Cagar flats. These flats had election. To date, no satisfactory anything against a candidate or been then in existence for more explanation has been given for this his political party without giving than a decade! The opposition practice. him the right of reply which party's subsequent attempt to hold reply shall be given equal pro­ a gathering at the same place was 8. Political party members in­ minence. Equal reporting space disrupted by the police. volved as election officers. and time for all contestiJlg poli­ tical parties should be allowed. ln the Tanjung Puteri election petition, testimony in Court show­ 5. Agents of candidates should be 4. Use of the mass media allowed to oversee the actual including government controll­ ed that the election officer of the counting centre, who later took the distribution of voting slips to ed radio & TV. postal voters l!s well as the The unequal access to the media ballot boxes on a diversionary route, was then an UMN O member and receipt and preparation for des­ prevents a free and fair presentation patch of the postal ballots after of alternative viewpoints to allow previously an office bearer of UMNO. voting and the despatch of the an educated choice by the electo­ voting boxes in respect of posta.i rate. voting. Candidates should be This is incompatible with a func­ REGISTRATION OF furnished with the names and tioning democracy. VOTERS & VERIFICATION address of postal voters. EXERCISE 6. No mark of any kind should be 5. Casting of postal ballots. made on the counterfoil of any At the present time, this is done In the last Johor Bam by­ ballot paper. on several specific occasions. A elections, our request to oversee the 7. No member of any political potential voter who wishes to regis­ actual polling by postal voters was party may be appointed as an ter at any other time is not allowed refused. election officer. to do so. 8. The Election Commission should 6. Missing voters on electoral be the authority for receiving list. PROPOSALS any complaints relating to elec­ In a letter to you dated March 7, We propose that the following tion, during an election, as well 1988, our solicitors complained specific guidelines and regulations as initiating any piOsecution that the names on a sample list of be enacted: under the election laws and for 21 voters were missing for the Tan­ 1. No gove.rn:ment machinery may monitoring and regulating all jung Puteri by-election of March 5, be used by any political party matters pertaining to the holding 1988. All of them had voted in the directly or indir~ctly to further of free and fair elections. previous election. Until now, you its campaign. 9. Unregistered voters may register have yet to respond to this letter. 2. No offer of public funds may be themselves at any time at tlte made by any party at any time office of the Electi,on Commis­ 7. Writing in pencil of voters ' after nomination day. sion nearest to their residence. •

30 LABOUR CLEAN UP OR GET CLEANED OUT

The labour movement may n recent months the local Press lose all credibility if present However, exposure of swindle has carried stories of corruption, malpractices go on unchecked and ballot rigging by a few union I swindle, misappropriation of says union activist leaders and exaggerated stories of funds and rigging of election by a K. GEORGE in calling for challenges to the only existing few trade union leaders. Some days greater accountability among national centre of labour - the ago, the Star published a full-page MTUC - would have serious reper· report on the near collapse of unionists. cussions. First and foremost, the NUPW's economic ventures involv· credibility of the labour movement ing hundreds of thousands of active member of DAP and had will undergo serious set-backs. ringgit collected from poor estate worked closely with his past Secondly, the workers will lose workers. president Datuk Ooi Ean Kwong confidence in trade unions; and When the ex-general secretary of who was elected to the Penang thirdly, which 1 thlnk is worse, NUNW, Hmg Ching Yoke announc­ Legislative Assembly on a DAP there is a real possibility that the ed his intention to form an ticket and then crossed over to unethical practices will spread to umbrella organisation as a rival to Gerakan. other unions. MTUC, it was head-line news in our While the press was able to find It is here that the labour move· mass media. Subsequently, K. out how much some of the union ment has a vital role to play. MTUC Sanmugam of NUBE joined hands leaders were receiving as salary and which is presently the only national with Hing and dec1ded to establish perks from their respective unions, centre of labour, and CUEPACS, a the Malaysian Labour Organisation they (the Press) conveniently left well established federation of trade (MLO). It was given special treat· out Sanmugam, whose monthly unions, should take appropriate ment by both the print and income, it is alleged, amounts to steps to uphold the credibility and electronic media. nearly $10,000/· including kick· integrity of the labour movement. The malpractices by the few backs from a group insurance They must have a set of rules to union leaders and the MLO affair scheme. deal with swindle, malpractices and have receh·ed investigative joumali· I am not trying to impute the ballot rigging by the leaders of their sm and stories regarding these press with ulterior motive. Having affiliates. events continue to appear in the been subjected to legal and physical They must have the moral press frequently. constraints, the newspapers in this courage to expose the dishonest On the contrary, when Hing was country prefer to play safe by not and the corrupt in the unions what· ditched out of his general secretary­ reporting on high level scandals and ever their positions. They should ship by his union, there was no corruption. So in their search for not shy away with the excuse that investigation by the press into the juicy news, the trade unions have it is interference in the internal real causes for this prominent recently become the victims. But affairs of individual unions. It is in leader's expulsion. That was not all. then, why the discrimination? That fact a worthy service to the While the press went on publishing poses a serious question of motives. affiliates and their members. If the statements by Hing and Sanmugam Whatever may be the motive, l labour movement is committed to accusing the MTUC of involvement must emphasise the fact that the struggle for a just and fair society, in partisan politics (which in fact vast majority of the leaders of then the primary requirement is has no basis at all), the press deli· about 420 trade uruons in the that its own house must be clean berately refused to investigate and country are essentially clean and and above reproach. publish their political background. honest. They discharge their duties It is relevant to recall the advice Hing has been an active member of and responsibilities with a sense of given by Dr Chandra Muzaffar the MCA and a close associate of its dedication. They make considerable when he addressed the General deputy president Lee Kim Sai. As sacrifice for the cause of labour in Council members of the MTUC in for Sanmugam, he was once an their humble way. May. He said if trade unions failed

31 to practise accountability, then General Council of the MTUC. A's, Following the advice by Dr they would have no right to had been anticipated, along with his Chandra, the MTUC has decided to demand accountability of public expulsion, his union disaffiliated draw up a Code of Ethics to be funds from the Government. He from the MTUC. His offence: he followed by union leaders. Under advised them to set up a committee collaborated with employers to the Code of Ethics the General of reputable persons with the task dismiss a few members who Council will be vested with the of making recommendations. just as questioned his activities in the authority of appomtmg a the Bar Council did in order to deal union. That general slcretary committee consisting of ex-trade with increasing incidence of fraud finally disappeared into thin air and unionists to investigate incidences and malpractices in the legal the union returned to the fold of of malpractices by union leaders profession. theMTUC. and to make necessary recommenda­ In support of my suggestion, I In the 1970s a top official of the tions. 1 hope that the MTUC will would like to relate some past MTUC volunteered to resign rather take positive steps to implement events that have relevance. In the than face a no-confidence motion. the above decision and that 1960s, a powerful general secretary CUEPACS too is on record to have CUEPACS will follow suit, lest of one of the largest unions in the taken steps in dealing with dis­ posterity will blame them for lack country was removed from the honesty and indiscipline in the past. of moral courage. •

32 PENDIDIKAN KEARAH KECEMERLANGAN AKADEMIK

enyedari hakikat bahawa katkan selaras dengan pertambahan kemajuan dan masa depan bilangan pelajar; M negara bergantung kepada RESOLUSI PERSIDANGAN wujudnya sebuah masyarakat AKADEMJK KEBANGSAAN 7. Pertumbuhan kolej-kolej swasta akademik yang berwibawa, ber­ DI UNIVERSITI SAINS yang mempunyai program berkem­ pengetahuan, bertanggungjawab, di­ MALAYSIA, bar dengan institusi pengajian tinggi honnati dan komited kepada 13-14HB OKTOBER 1989 luar negeri hendaklah diawasi demi kesejahteraan negara; menentukan keselarasannya dengan Mengingati bahawa kecemerlan­ falsafah pendidikan negara; an golongan akademik merupakan 8. Karni menggesa agar sekim per­ umbi asas kepada usaha mencapai khldmatan kakitangan akadernik di­ matlamat-matlamat unggul di atas; 1. Akta Universiti dan Kolej pertingkat dan diselaraskan untuk Mengiktiraf hakikat bahawa Universiti 1971 (Pindaan 1975, menjarnin supaya tenaga ilmuan dukungan institusi-institusi pengaji­ 1979) hendaklah ditarik balik. yang cefnerlang terus memberikan an tinggi sebagai gedung ilmu 2. Sebelum digubal sesuatu peratu­ khidrnat, serta untuk menarik pengetahuan, gedung penyelidikan ran yang menyentuh hal-ehwal tenaga pengajar yang beipotensi dan gedung pengembangan ilmu universiti dan institusi pengajian untuk berkhidmat di institusi amatlah penting; pengajian tinggi; tinggi, mestilah diadakan rundingan Menyedari peri pentingnya dengan wakil·wakil kesatuan/ 9. Kami mendesak agar perpusta­ peranan golongan akademik sebagai persatuan kakitangan akademik; kaan di institusi-institusi pengajian pcmiklr dan tenaga penggerak tinggi dibuka untuk kegunaan dalam pembinaan bangasa Malaysia 3. Kan1i sekali lagi menyatakan sokongan pcnuh terhadap Piagam semua ahli akademik tanpa dikena­ yang progresif; kan cagaran; Maka dengan ini Persidangan Universiti 1978, dan mendesak Akademik Kebangsaan yang disertai supaya pihak berkuasa institusi l 0. Karni menggesa kerajaan supaya oleh anggota-anggota akademik, pengajian tinggi menerima dan meningkatkan peluang dan kemuda­ baik secara individu mahupun yang melaksanakan prinsip-prinsipnya; han bagi semua kakitangan mewakili kesatuan/persatuan kaki­ 4. Kami menuntut supaya prinsip akademik di institusi pengajian tangan akademik institusi pengajian autonomi dan kebebasan akadernik tinggi untuk membolehkan mereka tinggi yang terdiri daripada: di institusi pengajian tinggi di­ menghadiri persidangan akademik sanjung dan diamalkan sepenuhnya; dan bercuti sabatikal ke institusi Institut Teknologi Mara pengajian tinggi antarabangsa bagi Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 5. Kami menuntut supaya pedanti­ mempertingkatkan prestasi dan Universiti Malaya kan ke jawatan·jawatan utama di kecemerlangan akademik; Universiti Pertanian Malaysia institusi pengajian tinggi diasaskan I J. Kami merasa amat perihatin ter­ Universiti Sains Malaysia kepada em-em kecemerlangan hadap tindakan kerajaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia akademik, dan proses perlantikan menggunakan Akta Keselamatan Universiti Utara Malaysia, harus dibuat dengan melibatkan para ahli akademik sepenuhnya; Dalam Negeri dengan sewenang­ setelah bersidang selama dua hari, wenangnya ke atas kakitangan iaitu pada 13 dan 14hb Oktober, 6. Karni mendesak supaya kerajaan akademik dan para pelajar. Karni J 989 di Universiti Sains Malaysia, menambah peruntukan kepada menggesa kerajaan supaya meng­ mengajukan resolusi- resol usi institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi gunakan saluran mahkamah agar berikut: supaya kemudahan fisikal dan prinsip keadilan dan kedaulatan bilangan tenaga pengajar diperting- undang-tmdang terpelihara. e

33 .--~EMINAR REPORT------___, The Hum.an Being

he seminar on the Human said, share a commo• body of uni­ Being held on the 4 - 5 versal principles and values, many of T November 1989, Kuala P AMILA FONSEKA reports which arc directly related to the Lumpur, was attended by some 200 field of science and technology. people, despite the heavy down­ on Aliran's highly successful Encik Gan Teik Chee said that we pour in the morning. The semin2r two-day seminar on ''The must grasp the transcendent nature started on time with a short and Human Being - From of the human being to be able to cordial welcoming speech given by Different Spiritual Traditions" understand the nature of revela­ Dr. Tan Chee Beng. Y.B. Tan Sri tions and religious traditions. Dr. Tan Chee Khoon, Chairman of - Editor Encik Joachim Ng, Cik Abidah the Al.iran Trust Board officially Amin, Encik K. Haridas and Dt. opened the semin2r. Tan Chee Beng spoke in session five The first three speakers in the on shared values and humanity. first aession were Encik Mohd. Anas modem values in society contradict Encik Joachlm Ng spoke of three Zubedy who spoke oC the human with the values emphasized in principles needed for a new world being in Islam. Encik Vijaya Sama­ Buddhism. A society where order of harmony. They are !)racial rawickrarna gave a witty 20 minute BuddJtist values are present is one equality, 2)cultural equality and speech on the human being in where cooperation will be en­ 3) spiritual equality. Buddhism and Bro. Anthony couraged over competition. Such a Dr. Tan Chee Beng spoke of Roaers shared his views on the society will oot encounge indivi­ 'Being human'. This mtails realizing human being in Christianity. All dualism and materialism. This will human dignity. Being human is not three speakers brought out the be possible only when the present to be defined by a particular reli­ underlying similarities between the power structure is decentralized gion or teaching. The human being three religions without each religion into an egalitarian one. is to be perceived as being one with lo~ its identity. The second day of the seminar, nature. The questions from the floor began with session four. Encik Shad In the discussion that followed, renected a clear understanding of Fuuqi spoke on spiritual traditions a member from the floor pointed the different religious beliefs. and the law. He pointed out that out that though the aemin2r was After the l 'A hour lu.nch break, laws were founded on values. We weD represented there was no repre· the seminar continued with session should realize that moral and spiri· sentative from Sarawak or Sabah to two. Here Encik R. Karthigesu tuaJ values have no lesser claim than speak for the naturalists. talked about the human being in economic, political and social Dr. Chandra Muzaffar spoke in Hinduism, Encik Harcharan Singh values for a place at the heart of the session six. He gave 111 overview of spoke on the human being in legal system. the theme of the seminar. The Sikhism and Professor Wu Teh-Yao Encik Tong Veng Wye presented human being, he said, mu.rt view spoke on the human being in the view that the crisis in the envi· himself as the vicegerent of God. Chinese traditions. The discussion ronment is a result of the denial of He is the bearer of eternal values that followed had Encik Harcharan spirituality by the human being and and must transform the world in Singh clarifying that Sikhi.sm was that the environmental crisis cannot such a way that latent Divine Unity not derived from another religion be fully reaolved outside the ques­ becomes manifest in the urtity of but had its own origins. tion of spirituality.This viewpoint humankind and the unity of man Session three had Encik was brought up in the discussion and nature. Abdurrahman Wahid, Encik: Pracha that followed and it was generally In closing the semin2r Dr. Hutamuwatra and Dr. Mina agreed that there was not enough Chandra Muzaffar thanked the Ramirez speaking on aids and emphasis on envirunmental issues public, for having spent the week­ obstacles to the realization of by spiritual organizations. end at the seminar. He also tha.nked humanity in Islam, Buddhism and DL Osman bin Baku spoke of spi­ the organizers and everyone who Christianity respectively. Encik ritual traditions and science and had helped to make the seminar a Pracha spoke clearly on how technology. These traditions, he success.

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35 ALIRAN PUBLICATIONS AND TAPES Books in English Speeches by AI iran President Dr Chandra Muzaffar • REFLECTIONS ON THE MALAYSIAN CONSTITUTION - $12.20 0 1. AN ISLAMIC STATE OR A SECULAR STATE? ($5.00 +postage 0.501 A compilation of papers pr-ted at a Conference on 0 " Reflections on the Mlllaysian Constitution: 30 Years After Th•s speech deals with various issues involved 10 the Mardeka." The topics addr•ed include the Historical Islamic State vs Secular State controversy. It suggests a Bedlground, tiM Role of the Monarchy, the Role of the nonoiectarian spiritual alternative which is in line with Judiciary, the Role of the Parliament, the Role of the Aliran's philosophy. Executive, State and Federal Relations, the Rule of Law, Fundamental libet"ties, the Ethnic Dimension and Islam in 2 . THE REAL THREAT ($5.00 +postage 0.50) 0 the Constitution. An analysis of how certain elements in Government are trv•ng to mampulate ethmc feelings in order to strengthen e FREEDOM IN FETTERS - $10.20 0 the~r political position. The sreaker argues that th•s •s the Comprehensive study of the stete of democracy in real threat to the nation's we ll~e i ng . Malaysia. Deals with all the rnajor laws and institutions relev1,. to 1n understlnding of democr1cy in Malaysia. It 3 . CHALLENGES FACING ASIA ($5.00 +postage 0.50) 0 examines 111 the rnajor trends and developments which haw The speech outlines the awesome challenges faced by influenced the practice of democracy in Malaysia . As•ans today ond suggests ways to deal witlol them. It • DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY - $3.20 0 ident1fies the crucial areas that have stood in the way of Collection of speeches made by leaders of various political progress and good government and IOSISts that unless Pllrties and public interest societies in connection with the effective transformation f~rst takes place in these areas, no Third Oil Iogue of Concern on Parliamentary Democracy. last1ng o r mean1ngful change can come about . • CORRUPTION - $4.20 0 4. OPPOSE OSA (THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT) An •sily r•dable, informative and analytical collection of ($5.00 +POStage 0.50) 0 papers on various aspects of this social sc_purge presented by In this analysis of the 1986 amendments to t he Off•cial Aliran officials and guest speakers at an Aliran seminar on Secrets Act, an attempt 1s made to spell out the conse­ Corruption. quences of that law for freedom and democracy. The public is shown ho w their right to know would be affected and e ISSUES OF THE MAHATHIR YEARS - $11 .00 0 how public accountability would lose its meaning . This book consists of press stetements articles and short speeches of Al iran officials The Important sUbJects dealt 5. DEVELOPMENT - FOR WHOM? with include human rights and democracy. f.nanc~al ($5.00 +postage 0.50) 0 scandals and the Official Secrets Act. The compilation A studied criticism of the authorit ies for the wasteful provides a useful mirror of a crit ical phase 10 Malaysian spending, for obsession with prestige projects and for h•storv. the resolution of which is not over. excluding the poorer segments of society from mainoitream • NATION ON TRIAL - $1 2.00 0 development. The talk deplores the increas1ng ly elltistic These last five years have been tumulto us ones for tllllllaysia trend 111 development as a betrayal of the people's dream of m many respects. In many spheres of national life, the a just societY . eourrtrv appears to be slipping. Th•s •s manifested in the weakening of democratic foundations and the rise of 6. WHO IS DESTROYING THE RUKUNEGARA? authoritarianism in government. corruption and financial ($7 .00 +postage 0.85) 0 sCindJb, lad! of accountabilit y and an absence of integrit y This tape contains two speeches on the Rukunegara among people at the helm of the nation's affairs, violation wh•ch anempt to show how and why the Government in of human rights, a declining economy and increasing particul ar had deviated fro m the principles and goals of the unemployment. In the midst of all this, Aliran continues to nation's charter. The speakers are Ali ran President Dr. 4 amand a saner pol • t i e~l and economic system. Chandra Muzaffar and Aliran Exect.tive Committee member, Gan Teik Chee. Books in Bahasa Malaysia e 5 PERSOALAN - $3.70 0 Apekah Asia Tenggara Selarnat? Mangape Terdapet lnd i e~te numb..- otdered in box neJCt to title. Kemiskinan Dalam Masyarakat Kita? Apakah Dia Ke· Name: Mr/Mrs/Ms ...... budayaan Nasional? Mengapa Adanya Kekurangan Rumah7 Mengape Wujudnya Polarises• Kaum? Dapetkan ja-pennya Addr-: , ...... dalam buku ini. • ISA DAN KESELAMATAN NEGARA - $520 0 B~Acu ini membicarakan undang·undang ISA. Ia memapar· I enclose money order/ postal ordet"/ cheque no ...... ken tentang katidakadilannya, tentang kazalimannya. Ia cuba membari gembaran tentang ape sebenarnya yang ...... dated ...... ·-······ for the sum of ...... berlaku peda bulan Oktober 1987 bill lebih 100 orang ···························•································································ d itarekaP di bawah ISA . PI-• include 50 cents for bank commission for outsta· e CABARAN-CABARAN SEMASA - $7.20 0 t ion cheques . Suatu kajian yang mendalam tentang cabaran

36 Two, is it true that the Minister herself and the former Head of Wanita UMNO, Tan Sri Aishah CURRENT COMMENT Ghani are indirectly linked to the company? Three, is it true that the Cabinet A record of Aliran's complete press statements made in the was aware of the issue of the 200 preceding month. licences to Saujana? Is it true that the Prime Minister has all along been aware of who are really behind Saujana? Four, and more important, is it true that a big portion of the huge profits that are being reaped by the company are actually meant for UMNO's forthcoming election campaign? ISA FOR COMMUNALISM? Five, is it because of this UMNO agitation in the bud. AD anti­ connection that Saujana is so communal agitation law could be confident of getting 500 more LIRAN welcomes the state· drawn up which would give· tbe licences? In this respect, is it just a ment by the Deputy Prime authorities the power to arrest any coincidence that the Saujana taxis A Minister that the govern­ person who may have indulged in are painted red and white - which ment is reviewing the Internal Secu­ communal agitation and to put him are in fact, the colours of Wanita rity Act (ISA). on trial. There should be a clear UMNO's official costume? The ISA should be abolished, unambiguous definition of 'com: These questions have come up especially since the rationale for its munal agitation' in such a piece of for three reasons. One, taxi drivers creation in the first instance - an legislation. and the Malaysian public in general, underground armed communist It is much better to formulate are shocked that 200 licences could threat - is no longer valid. Of such a law than to use the !SA to be given to a single company, course, even if the Communist control communalism. It will not especially when there are hundreds Party of Malaya (CPM) had not only be counter-productive but will and thousands of applications for surrendered, we would have con­ also lead to serious abuse of power. licences from individuals who are tinued to demand the abolition of genuinely interested in operating the !SA for one simple reason. It 1 Dec. 1989 Dr. Chandra Muzaffar taxis. Among these applicants are is wrong to detain a person without President unemployed youths and ex­ a proper trial. servicemen. The Deputy Prime Minister has Two, the terms and conditions also argued that though the com­ The above statement has not under which the taxis are leased out munist threat has receded, the ISA appeared in any daily. -Editor by the company are most unfair to is still necessary to curb communa· the drivers. After putting down a !ism. We do not subscribe to this deposit of 3,000 ringgit, each driver view. has to pay the company 45 ringgit a The communal problem in day. This leaves the driver with very Malaysia, or in any other multi· little money at the end of the day's cultuTal society for that matter, is Ia bout. linked to vested interests, public THE SAUJANA TAXI Three, attempts to obtain a policies, ethnic attitudes, religious forthright explanation on the emotions and so on. Merely by LICENCE SCANDAL Saujana scandal from the authori· detaining communal agitators under ties have been futile so far. It is the !SA, it will not be possible to number of crucial ques· alleged that the registry of com· overcome the communal problem. tions remain unanswered in panies has also been very uncoope­ It may even make it worse for it is A Malaysia's latest scandal - ative. The relevant mes -according quite likely that communal bitter­ the issue of 200 taxi licences to a to certain sources - are 'missing'. ness and communal hatred will private company called Saujana Car There is a story going around that grow among communal agitators if Hire Sdn. Bhd. the names of some of the directors they were detained arbitrarily. The Minister of Public Enter­ were changed as soon as the scandal To overcome the communal prises made a clumsy attempt to became public. problem, we must try to isolate the camouflage the issue at the recent ALIRAN calls upon the govern· vested interests that benefit from UMNO General Assembly. But she ment and, in particular the Public communalism. It is also important failed miserably. UMNO members Enterprises Minister, to act in a to be fair and just to all communi­ who had raised questions about more honest and responsible ties and to educate the public on Saujana were clearly annoyed with manner. Stop evading the real the dangers of communal thinking her. issues at hand. and communal action. ALIRAN is of the view that the If the Minister is not prepared to Of course, all this will take time. public has a right to a frank expla· tell the truth, then she should be However, it is better to formulate nation from the government. The prepared to resign. sound, sensible long-term measures following questions must be in order to fight the communal answered immediately: Executive Committee problem than to make heroes out One, is it true that Noritah 24 November 1989 ALIRAN of communal agitators by detaining Ahmad, one of the Directors of them under the JSA. Syarikat Saujana Car Hire Sdn Bhd At the same time, there should is the sister-in-law of the Minister of The above statement has not also be a law to nip communal Public Enterprises? appeared in any daily. -Editor

37 CPM SURRENDERS which has abl:lsed violence as a continued from back page means of achieving social change and is prepared to uphold the Con­ stitution and observe parliamentary powerfuJ political current. The practices, should not be allowed to Malays, fearing that they would be enter the political arena. In other overwhelmed in their own home­ parliamentary democracies, politi­ land by the Chinese and Indians, cal parties of aU ideological hues. were adopting very nationalistic are allowed to propagate the1r views stances. Among the Chinese and and to seek popular support. This is Indians, community-based organiza­ true of party politics in India, Sri tions were getting more and more Lanka and Japan, on the one hand, popular. It was a setting in which just as it is true of party politics in the CPM was bound to lose out. Britain, France and the United British suppression of the States, on the other. CPM and of its allies in the labour Of course, the CPM's past movement was also a factor. There record of violence and the suffering was a time in the late thirties when it had inflicted upon ordinary the CPM had quite a lot of support Malaysian facilities, makes its situa­ among Chinese workers. But the tion somewhat different. This is Colonial regime went all out to why it is important that the CPM destroy its support base. asks for forgiveness from the Malay­ The CPM also made some serious sian people for its acts of violence tactical blunders. Its 1948 decision of yesteryear. It must not only to mount a violent resolution to defend the underlying values and achieve its aim of an independent, Merdeka rendered the CPM struggle principles of the Constitution but sovereign republic was a huge futile. also demonstrate its sincere commit· mistake. The v'iolence perpetrated ment to the beliefs and goals of the by the CPM alienated the people. Rukunegara. from under the feet of the commu­ Its terror tactics from 1948 to The government, for its part, nists in yet another way. They about 1954 or so, turned the masses should cease its knee-jerk reaction against the party. provided some space for democratic to communism. It is possjble to articulation and action. It was not But more than its tactical blun­ adopt a mature, rationaJ altitude much but it was enough to con­ ders, it was the struggle for Merdeka, towards that ideology and yet vince the people that the group in through peaceful constitutional reject it totally. There is no need to changes which undermined the power was not a 'dictatorship', as trot out the conununist bogey alleged by the CPM. Parliamentary CPM. As we have observed, Indepen­ everytime there is a challenge to the dence was the major goal of the democracy, in other words, fettered national leadership. party;and yet there was an Indepen­ though it was, robbed the CPM of More crucial, now that the threat one of its most compelling argu­ dence movement led by the Alliance of militant communism is no longer ments: that it could establish a poli­ which was in the process of negotia­ there, the government must start re­ tical system which was superior to ting with the British for the transfe­ viewing all those laws and rules it what the Alliance, and the Barisan, rence of sovereign power to the made with the explicit purpose of had attempted to develop since Malayan people. Merdeka, in a 'protecting the nation' agains! the Merdeka. sense, rendered the CPM's struggle onslaught of the CPM. The lnternaJ futile. Security Act (lSA) is an outstanding WHAT NEXT? Mter Merdeka, the Alliance example of one such law. (Sec government managed to achieve a Now that the CPM has given up Current Commem for our state­ certain degree of peace, prosperity armed struggle, how will it affect ment on why it is wrong to use the and stability for a cross-section of the direction of Malaysian politics? ISA to curb communalism.-Editor) the rakyat. This again made a Before anything else, we must make Even the Sedition Act, the Printing mockery of the CPM's oft-repeated it very clear that though the CPM Presses & Publications Act and the claim that the clique in power in has surrendered, the party ·itself has Police Act all, owe their origins in Kuala Lumpur was only interested not been dissolved. Will the CPM one way or another, to the Commu­ in exploiting the masses for its own choose to participate in Malaysian nist thrca t. interests. The tangible manifesta­ politics? Will it be allowed by the This is why if the ending of the tions of development - schools, authorities to legalise itself and to CPM's anned struggle has any larger hospitals, roads - gave the lie to become part and parcel of the legi­ significance, it is this: It provides a the CPM propaganda. timate political process? magnificent opportunity to remove The Alliance, and later, the Theoretically speaking, there is draconian laws and to make par­ Barisan government cut the ground no reason why a political party liamentary democracy truly viable e

38 39 POLmcs CPM SURRENDERS End of 4l·years of armed struggle

, Giving up the struggle: The CPM struggle was doomed from the start for lack of indigenous-people support.

he Communist Party of Malaya barrier was Malay feudalism. The (CPM) has surrendered, bring­ With the CPM surrender, it is attachment to the Sultans, to their T ing to an end a 41-year-old aristocratic leaders, to the Malay armed struggle to establish a com­ time for us to start reviewing all those laws made to 'protect administrative system. to the Malay munist state in Malaya. State, was so strong that there was the nation' from the Right from the outset, the CPM no place for an ideology with values struggle was doomed to failure. It communist onslaught says our which were so alien to Malay feudal was a lost cause from the word writer SINAR BARU political culture. "go". Then there was the problem of Unlike e\'ery other communist ethnic consciousness. Communism party in Southeast Asia in the which emphasises class conscious· thirties, the CPM was the only one ness has seldom been able to over· which was organized and support­ Besides, communism was per­ come the formidable aspect of ed by the non-indigenous segment ceived as an atheistic ideology by ethnic consciousness in ethnically­ of society. This was one of the the vast majority of Malay-Muslims. divided societies. In the Malaya of many reasons for its inability to In a sense, the conservative charac­ the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, ethnic obtain significant support from the ter of the type of Islam practised in consciousness was becoming a indigenous community. Without the country made it even more inCligenous support, it had no difficult for communist ideas to continued on page 38 chance of developing into a power­ penetrate the Malay mlDd. ful political force. An even more impenetrable -, Printed by POL YGAAPHIC PRESS SON. BHD., Lot 14, Jel1n 1, Klw8An Peruuhun, Ch~n~ Jly1, Bel1kong, Bltu 11 . 43200 Cher-. Sellngor O.rul E... n . Publllhed by All,.n K....,.n Nege,., P.O. Box 1049, 10830 Peneng, Office Phone: 04-871808