Perspective on Schiavo from a Malaysian Roman Catholic

The Schiavo case is reverberating around the world. Peter Tan, who describes himself as a "Roman Catholic Malaysian Chinese, born and bred in Penang, late-thirties, suffered spinal cord injury at eighteen, paralysed from chest down and afflicted with chronic kidney failure" has this moving post about the ways in which he and his own family members have faced incapacitation and death.

Comments

[malaysia no future to see]

For those who are already in oversea and live comfortably. There is no reason for you to come back to Malaysia. Life in Malaysia is getting tougher each day.

Frankly, as a Chinese, I don't see there is any future for our next generation.

Another dangerous mentor that people always use is JFK "Don't ask what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country".

Is sound nice, but isn't how German Nazi and Japan militarism start the world war using the same mentor? Under the great "ask what you can do for the country".

Patriotism? Yes, I understand how you feel. Your love for the country was spoilt by the political party. Since non-malays will always be a second class citizen, so you are probably the same in any other countries, if not better.

You get cannibalised by your own countrymen, intellectually and professionally.

As someone else advised, be a Global citizen.

Patriotism does not need you to be in Malaysia to work your due. Let no one pointed at you and say you are a traitor if your true intention is to generate good deeds for Malaysia wherever you are.

Save your time about coming back to Malaysia. Nothing will change in Malaysia. At least not even in this lifetime. Racism will still be here to stay, and also everything else.

I think there is such an entrenched discrimination against the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia, that it will take probably a whole generation to undo the damaged.

This is happening in whole spectrum of the Malaysian government, civil service, state governments and universities. Just look at percentage of malays in all these government bodies - 98%……….

A whole generation of malays has been brought up to think that it's their inherited right to own Malaysia. The other races are damned.

I think the malays especially those in power, are scared right now that if they will to compete openly with other races, they will surely be the loser. You will see very strong resistance to hire other races even the most qualified.

The malays are never brought up to compete on even ground. This is fault of previous PM and now the present PM has to tread a balance ground to ensure the malays are not cast away as well as to make Malaysia competitive worldwide.

In US I never met a malay immigrant, though there are thousands of Malaysian Chinese and Indian immigrants. Why? Malays in Malaysia have an easier life where they are literately prince of the land.

We have infrastructure good enough to be considered first world or better. Look at the Cyberjaya, Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya?

Gleaming high-rise buildings but also in every city, dirty toilets abound, litter clogging up the drains, public telephones damaged, plus unreliable rubbish collection and disposal. We just treat public facilities badly, not caring about others.

Being an urban dweller myself, I am constantly disheartened by the poor public infrastructure and upkeep in our capital city.

Faulty pedestrian traffic signals, illogical positioning of bus stops, poor public cleanliness, poor quality sidewalks (which are paved using slippery tiles), un-integrated and poorly managed public transportation system, the list goes on.

Your children can't even walk safely along the Kuala Lumpur streets, as they might be bags snatched, kidnapped, murdered, raped, or robbed, as they do not know the jungle laws of Malaysia. The police won't help much as they now have a big pile of corruption cases running after them.

You owe nothing to Malaysia, you pay your due, so live on.

So, my last advice. Don't come back unless you are really suffering in oversea.

I'm sorry this sounds very racist but I think we have to be honest in discussion.

[run away from malaysia]

Our Malaysia country leaders, not necessary meaning the prime minister, but overall people in power, people of authority, etc have no integrity, no moral, no self respect and most of no accountability and responsibility.

Let's not compare with other countries, as no countries have perfect leaders, but what they have is integrity.

When they do something wrong and they know it is wrong, nobody need to tell them to resign, they won't say our Malaysia usual line "Nobody can resign me except the prime minister" - we should call this the ball-less line.

If you have integrity and honest enough, you should just resign.

The problem with Malaysia ministers is that they are mostly underachievers academically!

That is the reason why they simply speak without logic and reasons. This is also the very reason that I admire Lim Kit Siang, Karpal, etc, who can debate intelligently with those monkeys who never bother to understand what is uttered.

Just compare the resume of Malaysia ministers with that from our southern neighbour! Then you will understand.

I know their prime minister has a first class honors in science from Cambridge if I am not mistaken. The rest of his cabinets are very highly qualified. Hence you don't hear nonsense from them.

For your information, some Malaysia ministers would not be at all qualified for even an assistant post!

[yes malaysia is no future]

The shameful incident of a Chinese detainee being asked to ear squats in the nude is just the tip of the iceberg

When the former IGP inflicted the infamous black eye on Anwar, he knew at that time that his political master would protect him. Until the international press highlighted it.

When the police harassed the Indian IT expatriates in Brickfields, the Indian government retaliated. When the mistreated Chinese tourists protested, the Chinese government backed them up.

All in all, Malaysia only backtracked when a Big Brother country came into the picture.

What happens to the thousands of Bangladeshis, Indonesians, Thais, etc who are harassed daily? Nobody bothered. Why? Because there would be no political or economic fallout.

The root cause of police brutality is simply explained by famous words, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Added to this dilemma, Malaysia has not seen a change of government since independence in 1957.

Abuses of police power are just the symptoms of a sick government elected by an equally sick society. We need the cure. Change must be holistic and in a total package.

Ideally, we need a change of government with a two-party system.

Unfortunately, many don't trust PAS with its Taliban leanings. It appears strategic that Anwar should lead a moderate coalition comprising Keadilan and DAP as the pillars that will include parties representing the minorities.

[malaysia is too bad]

I have always seen Mahathir as a personification of all that is evil? An overkill description but then if you put down the damage he has done to democracy than you would understand.

He suppressed press freedom, emasculated the judiciary, abhorred free speech, detained his opponents under the ISA, and made the entire police force and judges to his pet poodle.

The country lost billions of ringgit under him. Never forget how he humiliated Anwar. His own Umno ministers feared him and never dared question his opinions and views. Print and electronic media never had one critical word about him.

He was made into a demi-God. He was a virtual dictator.

Now he talks with his second tongue because he is despised by his party. He is actually a nobody that even the Proton management ignores him. He deserves even a more severe ignominious treatment and an exit to hell.

Looks like we are pouring too much adulation on Mahathir for the Twin Tower, MSC, highway etc. Any PM worth his salt would have done them as Malaysia had to progress with the rest of the world. With the money we had in the coffers, it was possible to implement all these programs.

But look at his colossal failures - tangible and non-tangible. He dismantled all democratic institutions and the rule of law! He lost billions in countless business ventures and megalomaniac dreams.

If he had been a good PM as some claim him to be, then the present PM would have had no difficulty taking over the reins.

Today Pak Lah is running hither and because Mahathir did not lay a strong democratic foundation for its continuation. The transition would have been smooth had Mahathir been a "good" PM.

Remember Mahathir was No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the old government. There was a vacuum left after him. Thus, Pah Lah's current predicament!

National car: Did you know that we are subsidizing a corporation's immature venture overseas? Did you know that Proton costs dirt cheap in London? How is it ever possible that our Malaysia living standards can increase when we are subsidizing Proton, and indirectly, the British?

MSC: A good idea, but lacks implementation. Our International Advisory Panel said so, and surprisingly, what was done and what was the result? They are still saying we lack the manpower and most of the knowledge workers here! Why?

Highways: If we didn't use the money on the white elephants in mega projects, perhaps we will be driving toll-free roads today?

Ketuanan Melayu and Islamization will go hand in hand and surely this cannot be a good ingredient into to take - "the nation to great heights in terms of achievement and prosperity, well respected and a choice destination for business, education, holidays and immigration".

Mahathir was telling half the truth when he said he tried for 22 years but failed to change the malays crutch-dependent mindset.

The truth is the malays mindset is firmly rooted to NEP, and he is correct on that score. But did he change the malays mindset during his term? He shed his crocodile tears, yes; but changing the mindset of malays, no.

He should in fact be credited or more appropriately discredited for making the malays formed their present crutch-dependent mindset. He used his book "The Malay Dilemma" for political advancement.

During Mahathir regime, NEP has gone perverted. Malay millionaires and billionaires were created through monopoly and state funds.

NEP should have ended after it has run its course in 1990, but Mahathir did not end the NEP. He did not bother to end NEP just because NEP protected his political interests. He left it as a baggage for Pak Lah.

Pak Lah claimed to do the right thing, to be PM for all communities. He cannot deliver because he cannot be what he said he wanted to be if the NEP hangs over his head. What was worst was his son-in-law had supported the position of that keris welding imbecile.

Was this a plan to make Pak Lah look weak? I wonder.

Mahathir could have changed the malays mindset had he wanted to, by being fair to non-malays in ending the NEP during his regime. He did not.

He created enough problems for the country. Today per capita GDP of Malaysians is only one-sixth of that of Singaporeans.

When the oil and gas run dry in this Malaysia in two decades, our Malaysia per capita GDP will at best be better than Burma, although some of the government companies CEOs might still travel around in helicopters.

Mahathir should of course continue to voice his views, since Malaysians have freedom of speech, but nothing said about freedom after the speech!

Authoritarian government carries a huge risk if the goals and objectives for the country and her ordinary people are not achieved. Ordinary people will suffer for many generations to come as a result of failures and losses e.g. Indonesia, Laos and many African countries.

[very good run away from malaysia]

Well it just appeared on the google page when I searched for racism subject this afternoon.

I have been in New Zealand for 15 years and I have no intention to go back to Malaysia simply because there is an equal opportunity here for everyone, and I don't feel less ranked in the society.

I am not sure if I am part of the cream but I do have both bachelor and master degrees, and I am currently serving the New Zealand community.

I love the place I was brought up in (Sungai Petani) and the memory I had when I was attending primary and secondary schools, but the way the Chinese and Indian people are treated by the Malaysia government is just flawed.

I have no intention to go back, until I see a non-malay PM.

Way to go!

Let's celebrate the human spirit that strives against the odds!

Persistence definitely bears fruits! And certainly they are sustainable and cherish-able!

Universal truths!

One got to be prepared to look for challenges, in any areas of your interest, beyond the shores of Malaysia.

Malaysia's economy is very small and unsophisticated.

Australia's economy is bigger than all of the South East Asia countries combined.

Imagine USA and Europe!

[vokoyo]

Actually, the average number of Malaysians who get into Harvard for undergrad studies per year is 1.

It is quite easy to increase the number of Malaysians entering Harvard - ask one of our brilliant ministers to wield his keris in front of Harvard, demanding at least 100 students to be accepted into Harvard each year……….

Just my 2 cents……….Hahaha……….let's hope for a better education in Malaysia……….

Well, there was Professor KS Jomo who attended Harvard for his MBA (prior to that he was at Yale). He came back to teach……….but look what happened to him……….

We, hope for less intervention from government in tertiary education, less oppression on Chinese schools in Malaysia……….[Hisham: "Nah, dream on!"]

The trouble with some ministers is that they dream instead of actually think.

Almost all the ministers in Bolehland like to talk nonsense ever now and then, and this is one of the examples. Ignore him and move on.

To build, it takes a long time, sometimes generations. To destroy, it takes overnight.

The English language - the education system has been destroyed through the regime of Dr M, and it will take even longer time to regain back the former status.

It is really a micros of the NEP policy. As the elite take more and more resources to put up a cosmetic appearance of progress and development, and hence denying effort, resources as well as sending the wrong signal to the average what they need to do who are lulled into complacency and lack of competitiveness.

University Malaya is churning out a lot of bumi graduates majoring in religious studies, moral studies, Islamic studies etc. These graduates are then given posts in GLCs.

Like the executive for MAS, an anthropology graduate, and like 90% of all executives in GLCs. No wonder all of them are making losses every year.

The government would do well to ensure standards are kept high as otherwise it is the public that suffers.

It is sad that many people will not go and see doctors (or other professionals) who graduate from local universities, as there are fears that these doctors are incompetent. Some of these doctors won't even touch you to give you a thorough examination. It is a fact.

The politicians and those who could afford are not sending their children to local universities but overseas universities. That tells us what it is about.

[malaysia no hope and no future]

Human beings migrate because they seek a better habitat, a better life or better opportunities. Is there anything wrong with this?

In modern times, people often migrate for work, security and education opportunities etc.

Migrants of course have to sacrifice much, to the extent of even being separated from their friends and family, but the human spirit for achievement and self-actualisation is very strong and will overcome great odds to achieve its potential and dreams.

An example is pointing to other countries where racism is practiced - reports this occurrence even in developed countries such as the US, UK, New Zealand and Australia.

This point of comparison weakens because is confusing covert, attitudinal racism - and marginal too at that - with institutionalised discrimination in Malaysia in the form of the abused outcomes of the NEP.

The prospect of a larger community in Malaysia that cannot come to terms with meritocracy is even more confusing and daunting.

In the countries mentions, racists are the minority. In this country, while the NEP is purportedly not racist, it confuses and confounds to the point of being seemingly intractable from the dimensions of race and legitimate opportunity.

Here, race is a major independent variable that is legalised to manipulate business, educational and political outcomes.

At least the white masters have drawn up laws and regulations to protect the minorities who stay in their countries. Equal employment means equal employment. That they actually make laws to make life more equitable for immigrants is quite admirable.

On our end, we to bow to the brown masters. If having to pay more for your house when your bumi neighbour pays less is not having to bow to the brown masters then what is?

If expressing your feelings about the inequities in the country is constantly labeled as bumi-bashing, when instead you feel that you are the one being bashed, and then being told to shut up and put up with it is not having to bow to the brown masters, then what is?

Well maybe you feel that those who have left are no loss to the country. Generally speaking, those who have left were the ones who qualified to go to another country.

But such a paradigm is usually a reflection of one's own inabilities to come to grips with the fact that there is something systemically wrong and this has been causing people to leave the country.

[cool fire]

The success or failure of a race depends on its cultural resilience and inner diversity. The Chinese culture is diverse and multi-faceted. That is why it is strong. Likewise with the Indian culture.

In Malaysia, if you are malay you must be Muslim. If you marry a Muslim, you must convert to Islam, whether you like it not.

Yet the fact remains that the majority is in fear of being marginalised, so much so that religion is used to reinforce identity beyond ethnicity.

Compare this with Indonesia, let alone the United States, where religion is an individual choice. Demographics should not determine Malaysia's destiny.

We should start looking at malay from a global point of view if malay is to survive globalisation.

And not worshipping the West too much. The short mini-skirt is the ultimate West-worshipping monument.

As a Malaysian living in America for almost 10 years, I have been amazed to find that American culture is influenced more by the world around it than the other way around. It's a flexible, ever-changing amalgamation of ideas, values, knowledge and beliefs that come from its many immigrants.

When you embrace American culture, what you're indeed embracing is a world culture that has been ingrained into America. American culture dominates the world because it embraces the world.

It does not kill local beliefs, it intensifies them. Look at how popular Hawaiian cultural elements like surfing, Hawaiian music and grass skirts have become since Hawaii became a US state.

American culture is not forced upon someone by their parents or society. It does not assume its own infallibility nor does it call deserters apostates. American culture allows you to love it or leave it. It puts the choice in your hands. Islamic culture has failed to adopt this democratic flavor.

It is easy to turn on the TV, glance at MTV and be aghast by American culture. But let's not forget that the invisible elements of society, those that support the very fabric we are in, are also based on American and Western culture. These include the democracy, freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial, and women's right.

Compare this to Arab culture - dictatorial regimes, lack of free speech, lack of women's rights, and poor economic growth. It's ridiculous to follow a loser just because he has the same religion as you.

[the model racist nation]

I wish to point out that the Orang Asli, not the malays, are the original inhabitants of Malaysia. Most of the malay Malaysians came from Sumatra and other parts of Indonesia. They only migrated here much earlier than the Chinese and Indian Malaysians. It does not mean they deserve privileges or rights just because they were the pioneer immigrants.

I applaud the non-malays who have kept quiet but are though uneasy over these special rights. You are true heroes, willing to show malays that you can succeed despite the odds. But neither I nor you should give up the right to be a first-class citizen of your country.

In fact there is nothing wrong in working hand in hand for the greater good of Malaysia. As for the malays who insist on hiding behind the veil of malay special rights - you have lost the respect of non-malays a long time ago.

Most non-malays I know come from low and middle income families. They struggled to save every sen. They, like everyone else, spent their hard earned savings plus their EPF funds to educate their children. The poor ones can’t even do that as there is no one to help them. Can they ask for help from the government? Who represents these people?

It is arguable that if not for the contributions of the Chinese and Indian Malaysians who helped in the development of this country tremendously, Malaysia would probably be in same category like Indonesia or the Philippines, if not worst.

As for the writer’s assumption that no other race has been more kind, generous and considerate of the needs of other people, I would encourage the writer to travel around the world and look at countries where the Chinese and Indians are minorities too.

The malay and others of the same mind should learn to stand on their own feet rather than claim for special privileges and rights. The world is becoming globalised and if they don't change their attitude, they will only become beggars in their own country.

[yes malaysia is no future]

The younger generations, even though they seem to know the theoretical rationale of the social contract and try hard to live by it, do not have the same understanding of it as the older generations do.

Poor people are poor people, rich people are rich people - no matter which race they come from. Justice and compassion prevails when rich people recognise their responsibility to the poor and the poor use the benefits given to them to better their lives.

Fair and equitable distribution of the prosperity that we enjoy in this country will ensure that our peace and harmony survives. That would probably require a mindset shift within our society.

However, many have experienced frustration under the Malaysian politico-social system, which has failed to recognise their contributions and skills, or ignored utilising them appropriately for the national benefit, or stymied their business ventures.

Many of these people have emigrated to another country where they hope to be more appreciated and where their children may enjoy a better chance of succeeding in life.

We should resolve why the Chinese-Malaysian population is reducing. Official figures have more than one million Chinese Malaysians emigrating over the past 25 years. Why did they emigrate? I am sure the government knows.

While we push young talented people away, other countries notably Singapore, the US and Australia welcome them with open arms.

About 30 percent of top management in both Singapore's government and corporate sector are ex-Malaysians. We export them so that Singapore can compete with, and then whack us.