Wither the Youth?
By The Worried Student
Youths all around the world have been a catalyst for change throughout history. They have been involved in anti-war protests, environmental activism and anti-capitalist movements, just to name a few.
In Malaysia recently, we had a youth or student demonstration against the entry of other ethnicities into a largely Bumiputera public university. The issue was hotly debated, and yet deemed by many as yet another one of the many 'sensitive issues' that should not be touched upon in our country. In a society whereby its people are rarely encouraged to discuss and debate important issues, it is becoming harder and harder to understand the 'Other.'
In Malaysia, our youth are mostly studying in the various colleges and universities that make up the higher education system in the country. These institutions should be the place where the birth of ideas, whether right or wrong, to be encouraged. It is where the young should be able to expand their minds and be open to discussions and arguments. On paper, it may seem like these things are taking place, but in my opinion, our higher education system is governed by race-based policies that do not encourage the aforementioned 'opening of minds.'
The word on the street among us students is that the Malays have UiTM, the Chinese have UniTAR and the Indians have AiMST. But of course, only a few on the street would say this as the rest would just claim that it is not good enough. Segregation according to race at the higher education level would arguably, result in less competition and would not reflect the real 'dog-eat-dog world' out there. As the Bumiputra students are confined in UiTM, they generally have a social circle that consists of their own ethnicity.
When the situation is as it is, it is easy for indoctrination programmes from the Biro Tatanegara (BTN) to inject fear into the Malays, claiming that their rights are being threatened. This is further strengthened by the propaganda going around campuses that call for the spirit of "Ketuanan Melayu" to come alive through various active student bodies and associations. What then happens is, this false sense of fear that they have implanted into the minds of these receptive students then turn into hate. This is when calls for the Chinese and Indians to "Go back home to where they belong," are uttered. These passionate youths then start preaching to others to fight against those who are taking their rights away and they begin to hate the 'Other' with an 'Us' versus 'Them' mentality that is detrimental to the progress of the country.
The non-Malays, some of which have already been feeling like they are not cared for in this place they call home, also start to return the hate when they are faced with racist talk and actions.
This vicious cycle has been going on for quite a while and it is time for it to come to an end. Personally, I believe that this is akin to the divide and rule politics that were brought here by our past colonizers. If that is truly the case, are we then truly embracing the spirit of Merdeka?
I have thought before that maybe the solution is just getting a Malay with a non-Malay from a similar social and economical standing, to just sit down and debate on a topic that they have differing views on. But, I'm afraid it might just end up with chairs being thrown across the room and the sound of breaking glass accompanying it as 'passions' begin to flare. The only reason why this would happen is not because Malaysians are inherently over-emotional people but rather, they do not have a certain understanding of each other, or tolerance for differing views. People need to debate and argue, but more importantly, they need to do it in a mature manner.
Many have also responded unkindly to the recent protest by UiTM students against the liberalization of the university. There have been calls for a boycott from certain sections of society on UiTM students, stereotyping them as useless, ignorant and racist Malays. Although I would like to prove otherwise, it is hard when a significant number of students on the campus are very passionate and vocal in their stand against non-Bumiputra students entering the university and dissent is silenced by the authorities or, at the very least, looked down upon and the silent few who do have an alternative view in mind - dare not speak out.
The boycott that was mentioned on various news sites and blogs, merely perpetuates the vicious cycle that I have mentioned. As to what they should do, instead of another "teaching these kids a lesson," step, is try to understand what made them feel and respond in such a manner and react in a way that would fit the situation. The act of a boycott whether from personal vengeance or honest 'teaching' method will only fuel more hate on all sides. As Mahatma Gandhi would rightly put it, "An eye for an eye turns the whole world blind."
A majority of my Malay friends from UiTM believe that the institution should not be opened to non-Bumiputra students and so I asked why. Some of them answered by saying that it would take up the space in education meant for the Malays when the non-Malays already have enough places in other institutions. Some said that the 'owner' of a land couldn't give too much away to those that he/she has hospitably welcomed in the past.
After further discussions, I then proceeded to ask them what they thought of the Malays, could they stand on their own two feet, without crutches from the protectionist policies? Most of them answered in a disappointing tone, "No, we are not that strong." At that moment, I felt sad. I could not accept the fact that my own people, be it Malay, Chinese or Indian, do not have faith in their own brothers and sisters. "Mungkinkah Melayu hilang di dunia?" I uttered in silence. Hang Tuah would have been disappointed if you ask me.
After a while, I thought to myself, could this be the underlying insecurity of the Malays that have been covered under a blanket, for fear that some would take advantage of? Maybe we should start from there, as Malaysians, we could show them that they are not alone in their insecurities and that the plight against injustice, poverty and corruption is one for all of us to fight against - together.
Give freedom to the lecturers in universities to nurture these students into the bright young minds they ought to be. Abolish the various policies such as the 'Akujanji' where any form of disobedience is punishable. Change the Biro Tatanegara and the various indoctrination programmes, into forums of open discussion and platforms for various views.
All these could be steps taken towards fixing the issue that we have at hand. Stop the hate and break the cycle. All of us, this country cannot afford to have this anymore. We are all equally responsible for what this country is and what it will be.
Lastly, take a good hard look at that flag with the star, the crescent and its fourteen stripes waving in the sky, and tell me, is that not ours?
The Worried Student is a student from a certain local university that is headed by certain a man with a famous moustache. He tends to think too much until he turns to depression and then buys self-help books. He also secretly wishes that his writing would attract the opposite sex. Previously, his letter on a similar theme appeared on The People's Parliament