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Racism Is Alive And Thriving In Malaysia

Malaysia's first serious survey of race relations in 50 years, conducted by the independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research shows that behind the façade of outward unity and peace, racism runs deep in this multi-ethnic 'melting pot'.

The telephone survey of about 1,200 Malaysians also found that the majority of the various races find comfort and security in their respective ethnicity and not in a common ‘Malaysian' identity, as heavily touted by Barisan National in the run up to the election and otherwise in our travel and tourism brochures.

''The findings are not at all surprising,'' said social scientist Dr Chandra Muzaffar. ''This is partly because ethnic boundaries are real in our society and almost every sphere of public life is linked to ethnicity in one way or another.''

The survey also found that negative racial stereotyping was deeply entrenched. For example, minority Chinese and Indians see the majority Malays, who make up 60 percent of the population of 25 million people, as lazy.

Chinese and Indians, who began migrating here in the early 19th century, make up 26 percent and 8.0 percent of the population respectively.

It found that more than half the population does not trust each other. For a nation that claims to be a 'melting pot', only eleven percent of the respondents said they had eaten often with friends from other races in the past three months. Thirty four percent said they have never had a meal with people of other races.

The survey found that 42 percent do not consider themselves Malaysian first, 46 percent say ethnicity is important in voting, 55 percent blame politicians for racial problems and 70 percent would help their own ethnic group first.

According to the survey, 58 percent of Malays, 63 percent of Chinese and 43 percent of Indians polled agreed that ''in general, most Malays are lazy.''

Meanwhile, 71 percent of Malays, 60 percent of Chinese and 47 percent of Indians agree that ''in general, most Chinese are greedy.''

Sixty-four percent of Malays, 58 percent of Chinese and 20 percent of Indians agreed that ''in general, most Indians cannot be trusted.''

The survey, commissioned by the New Straits Times newspaper and supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, is the first honest look at Malaysian society and the findings have left Malaysians gasping in disbelief at how firmly racism and racial stereotyping has become entrenched and accepted as a way of life.

The Merdeka Centre said the survey ''gives an honest picture of the country's situation and inter-racial perception'' and warns that extremists can take advantage of inter-racial fears and suspicions in the absence of a meaningful interaction.

Pak Lah’s government tries to portray the country as an example of multiculturalism where Muslims, Hindus and Christians live together in peace, but experts have been voicing concerns that, increasingly, the communities were drifting apart and polarization of the races and a lack of social unity are on the rise.

They squarely blame the politicians and the country's race-based politics for the sharp rise in racism. The shocking findings have also prompted civil society to demand a ban on all race- based political parties.

''Let us outlaw all Malaysian political parties that restrict membership on grounds of race, religion or sex,'' said lawyer politician A. Sivanesan, a senior leader in the opposition Democratic Action Party, one of the four registered multi-racial parties in the country. ''It should be written in the constitution that only multi-racial bodies be permitted.''

Others say the few multi-racial political parties are weak and unable to grow because of the strong domination of race based parties over the political system.

''Social problems affect all communities,'' Sivanesan said. ''Poverty, drug and crime are not specific to any one race. All races face the blight.''

''What the survey clearly shows is that the various races live peacefully but separately. Half a century after independence we are further away from knowing each other than when we started - separate schools, separate friends, separate lives.''

Curiously, the survey showed that many Malaysians had vague ideas, not only of each other's cultures and traditions but also of their own.

Hari Raya Puasa was wrongly perceived as the Malay New Year by 32 per cent of Malays, 84 per cent of Chinese and 45 per cent of Indians --when the festival actually marks the culmination of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Similarly, the Chinese New Year was thought to be a religious festival by 57 percent of Malays, 53 percent of Indians and a whopping 62 percent of Chinese respondents.

Despite the lack of unity, Malaysia has enjoyed long periods of peace except for one race riot in 1969 and unlike in some neighbouring countries where uniformity is enforced, Malaysia's minorities are not restricted and are free to practice their own cultures and religions and enjoy a vernacular education.

But, the government officially practices a policy of positive discrimination that favours Malays over other races in many areas -- from employment, education, scholarships and business to cheaper housing and assisted savings.

Private companies must hand over 30 percent of equity to ethnic Malays and a portion of housing and commercial property must be sold to them

These measures, collectively called the New Economic Policy or NEP, were started in 1970 to reduce the yawning economic gap with the Chinese community, which dominates business in this country, as in most of South-east Asia.

Originally designed to last for 20 years it has continued without check, sparking envy and resentment between Malays and non-Malays. Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was sacked and jailed in 1998, has caused a stir by proposing to reform the political landscape which he says is straining national harmony.

''We need to appeal to the Malays, Chinese and the Indians and the rest that we need to go beyond race-based politics. If you continue to harp and support this racial equation, you will never be able to overcome racial divisions,'' he told supporters at a recent rally.

The government is aware of the deep divide and has taken measures to close the gap. One experiment in racial integration is the 'Vision Schools' initiative where students share sports fields, assembly halls and canteens, but attend classes conducted in their own languages.

But the initiative is embroiled in controversy mainly because of the fear among Chinese and Indians that the vernacular education system would suffer and erode their identities.

A popular initiative, the national service programme, started in 2004, puts youths of all the races under a single roof. Students are taken to camps for about three months in the hope that they will learn team work and absorb each other's culture.

But, the experts say racism is too deeply entrenched in official policies and the socio-political system for such 'half-hearted' measures to make an impact.

''The survey's findings might be a bitter pill to swallow but it tells us who we really are behind the façade we show the world,'' said Sivanesan.

Say Cheese To Your Fleece

Happy Valentine’s Day to Bobo Chan, Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Gillian Chung Yun-Tung, Joey Yung, Yu Chiu, Vincy Yeung, Yumiko Cheng, Mandy Chen, Rachel Chan, Candice Chan, Jolin Tsai, Maggie Q, and Japanese star Chiaki Kuriyama from Edison Chen. Don’t worry, Edison is coming back to Hongkong from Boston to personally wish all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Edison’s been naughty. Very naughty, and apparently very busy too, fulfilling his fetish for photographing himself bonking his many, many girlfriends.

Over the past two weeks, 1300 photos posted online illustrate the sexual exploits of the 27-year-old actor, hip-hop artist, Pepsi pitchman and People magazine's 2006 Sexiest Man Alive. The starlets include some of the biggest draws in Asia, including Gillian Chung, one half of Twins, a squeaky-clean pop duo featured in recent promotions for Hong Kong Disneyland.

You might remember Gillian as the girl who cried after she was secretly filmed adjusting her bra in the changing room during her duo Twins’ recent performance at Genting last year.

The photos appear to have been stolen from Edison's pink Apple MacBook after he brought it to a Hong Kong repair shop. All I have to say about this is: Damn... those women are dumb. Absafuckinglutely unbelievably dumb.

I mean, these are not 2 bit whores or dumb schoolgirls who have more air than brains in their heads. These are famous and successful women who have made it in the tough entertainment business.

Why would they pose for nude pictures and agree to have Edison take videos of them giving him blowjobs, having their pussies eaten and generally getting their brains bonked out?

Didn't they think that such photos will come back and bite them in the ass one day? That being celebrities, they will have to pay the ultimate price when it does?

Yeh, I’ve seen the pictures. However, I'm not gonna post any explicit pics here cos hey my mama reads my blog. These famous babes are hot. My favourite is Candice Chan's set. Her oh-so-innocent expressions are like... damn…priceless!

The fallout from the media circus has extracted a heavy price from the young stars.

Vincy Yeung, a Hong Kong singer and actress is the 19-year-old niece of Edison’s former boss, Emperor Entertainment Group CEO and media tycoon Alfred Yeung. Her uncle is said to have major Hong Kong gang affiliations. She is Edison’s current girlfriend, and they have been dating since 2005

Cecilia Cheung is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer, and the wife of Nicholas Tse thus making her the daughter-in-law of Patrick Tse and Deborah Li. She and Nicholas have a son, Lucas. Nicholas and Cecilia are reported to have separated as a result of the sex scandal.

Ming Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper, reported that negotiations for Gillian’s pop duo, Twins, to endorse a toothpaste brand in mainland China for HK$4 million has fallen through as a result of the scandal.

Hong Kong Disneyland pulled a Chinese New Year advertisement featuring Gillian’s band Twins from its website.

BoBo Chan was engaged to marry stock market genius, Philip Jin Zi Yao. However, after the scandal hit the news Phillip’s mother ordered him to end his relationship with Bobo, which the filial son dutifully did.

Edison fled into hiding in his family home in Canada and apparently attempted suicide. He is now in Boston and is scheduled to return to HK to face the music.

Edison has had his advertisements for Manhattan Titanium, a credit card company, pulled out (pun intended) as a result of the ongoing naughty photos scandal.

The Hong Kong star was also cut from an upcoming movie. Columbia Pictures announced that its film Jump, a joint production with Stephen Chow’s company Star Overseas, due for release on 1 May, had been put back until 1 October. The Hong Kong-made film was to star Edison alongside Kitty Zhang.

Sing Tao Daily estimated that the scandal could cost Edison, who was seen as one of the coolest entertainers in Hong Kong showbiz, HK$10m a year in work and endorsements.

Personally, I don’t know why the media is chastising Edison for his fetish. In America, when an actor tapes himself bonking the biggest female celebrities in the country, every guy he meets on the street will give him a high-five and every girl he filmed will get offers from Playboy and even more movie deals and record contracts, after gaining notoriety and popularity on youtube, forums, message boards, chatrooms, blogs, discussion threads and social networking sites.

The lesson, as always: is that If you are in any way, shape, or form a public figure and wish to continue having a legitimate career, kindly refrain from taking naked pictures of yourself and your lovers. If you simply aspire to be in any way, shape, or form a public figure ala Paris Hilton, however, then snap away!

And, oh! By the way, Cecilia, you seriously need to trim that bush. It’s a jungle out there!

The Malaysian People’s Choice Awards for Best Election 2008

"Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason" - Robin Williams playing Tom Dobbs, Comedian & US President Elect in the 2006 movie Man of the Year.


Sniff...sniff...can you smell it? There's the distinct and fetid smell of bullshit in the air.

Why do I have this recurring need to puke when I read the mainstream (read government controlled) newspapers these past 4 days?

Since Parliament was dissolved a coupla days ago on the 13^th, we have all suddenly become MALAYSIANS, and not Bumiputra, or Melayu or China or India or Lain Lain.

All of a sudden, we are a HARMONIOUS MULTIRACIAL country which is PEACEFUL and PROGRESSIVE and FLOURISHING.

You want schools? Temples? Their sister? You got it. Social problems that have been simmering for years are now solved with a fingersnap because they are LISTENING TO US.

Now we are all brothers and sisters living in joy and harmony and we all work hard and pull together in the Malaysian spirit of gotong royong to build this great nation of ours.

This sickening phenomenon occurs once every 4 or 5 years, when the esteemed Yang Berbahagias, Tuns, Tan Sris, Datuk Seris and Datuks wake up to the fact that they need something very precious from us the common riff raff – our votes.

I am not political. This blog is not political. Neither am I anti-Barisan or UMNO. I just wish our elected reps do their jobs steadily throughout their terms instead of just trying to bullshit us for the couple of days between dissolution of Parliament and the elections.

These vomit inducing headlines were culled from one single newspaper over the past 4 days. Click on them and vote for your choice of Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Tantrum, Best Crocodile Tears, Best Crony, Best Nepotism, Best Money Siphoner, Best Contract Awarder, Best AP Permit dispenser, Best Pretender, whatever.

PM: Government provides equal chances for all

PM: Muhibah spirit must continue

Samy Vellu wants to hear views of Indian youths

Vernacular schools won’t be left behind, assures PM

Najib: No group left out, programmes meant for all

RM10m to aid Chinese dropouts

RM500,000 for Chinese Assembly Hall

Najib: Only BN can protect Chinese and Indian interests

Pak Lah provides favourable account on administration’s performance

RM50mil fund to help needy

RM10mil more for Chinese schools

Kedah MB promises Thaipusam holiday next year

Pak Lah: Don’t be racial

Malaysians must not harbour racial prejudice in their hearts, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. *This is one of my 2 favourite articles

Rafidah: Avoid negative perceptions

Move to improve education system in varsities

Barisan Govt strong on development

M’sians are like yee sang, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said. “If you take it piece by piece, it might not taste as good. But mix it all together – and with the right mixture and the right sauce – it becomes more delicious than before. *This is my absolute favourite Pak Lah quote. And to think he thought that one up all by himself. Brilliant, no?

Malaysians better off than four years ago

RM1.3m for Kelantan Chinese schools

Social issues need to be addressed

PM: I work very hard

Tinker, Tailor, Rotiman, Soldier, Spy

In a neat twist to that famous movie title, Malaysian Prime Ministers are getting into the act as well.

Tun Dr Mahathir officiated at the opening of “The Loaf” at the uber chic Pavilion in KL, the second installment of his Japanese bakery. He now wants to be known simply as Rotiman.

Not to be outdone, Pak Lah officiated at launch of the horribly named “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, also at the Pavilion, belonging to his daughter Nori and her husband Khairy.

Pak Lah now wants to be known as Pak Tukang Jahit. Check out Khairy’s tight and ill fitting jacket. Would you buy clothes from this man?