Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email This piece of comment from Deputy International Trade and Industries Minister, Mukhriz Mahathir caught my attention:
Malaysians should not be required to state their race in most official forms and documents, said Umno Youth executive committee member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
He said while stating one’s race might be required for certain forms relating to the special privileges of bumiputras, it is not necessary for most, adding that the requirement to state one’s race in official documents was evident in the private sector.
“I would highly encourage that such columns for race be removed. This is in line with the 1Malaysia concept,” he said during a question-and-answer session here.
Mukhriz was responding to a question from Penang Junior Chamber International member Vincent Liew, who asked why Malaysians still needed to fill up a column for race in most official forms.
Liew said it would be better if people from ethnic and religious backgrounds be simply recognised as Malaysians.
Well, I guess you can’t have one set of rules for yourself, justifying it with reasons, and then say that others shouldn’t do the same as you. That’s hypocrisy. It should be the same across the board. I think the race field should be totally removed or made optional. We can already deduce race/ethnicity to a certain level by looking at the person’s name.
Since we still use race as one of the parameters for various statistics and indicators, I don’t see the removal of this field in forms any time soon. Probably never. Even though such data can be used to further certain socio-economic agenda, most likely its used for political purposes in reality. That’s life.
hi sir,
i just want to share what i feel about his statement, i would ask him to stop saying sweet words dont prentend to be so good, he say want to remove the column and telling us that was the main objective of 1M, what is the point saying like that if the majority of media still provoking other races with a lot of article such as Utusan Malaysia : Sedarlah Wahai Bangsaku, plus a lot of reporters still playing with same issue, we can see that in Utusan Malaysia, it is UMNO’s main media stream if they also playing with same issue, i feel bored ready and i think the public also more bored then me…
In fact, i can cleary see that the idea drop out the race column is not his idea, it was 1 of mahatma gandhi’s vision. My personal view is ask all the politician to keep quiet without saying or commenting on any issue related to races.If they wish to comment or saying anything please review back the article perlembagaan 153, review back the contract..please bear in mind, it was a contract not agreement within the other race.So i think there is no such thing we cannot review back, we also understand and respect others..
Im not provoking anybody and we not living in jungle to fight each other to get a one time meal. please do not treat the public with gold spoon when there is a needs.
i’m sorry if i hurt anybody but it was just my point of view….correct me if im mistake….i believe in 1 thing….one nation…one identity
thank you.