Media Statement by Dr. Chen Man Hin in Seremban on Thursday, 9 July 2009:

Malaysian unity, not ketuanan Melayu please

Worldwide support by a billion people at Michael Jacksons's memorial services shows that racialism has no place in the new global world?

Michael Jackson was the ‘king of pop’ and his music and artistry won him accolades from the peoples of the world, old and young and of all races. He was a black American but to the people race was never a consideration, because of his creative art. This is a healthy development, and the lesson is that in a modern world there is no room for racialism or racial politics. The world recognises and praise the man because of the achievements and merits of the man, and not by the colour of his skin. This is a world trend.

The world trend is to recognise that all races in the world are equal and there should be freedom of expression and assembly, rule of law, security and peace, freedom of religion and democracy

The correct way for Malaysia to progress and prosper is for Malaysians to unite and strive to be competitive through merit, transparency and discipline.

In recent days, there has been a revival of fears among the Malay community, that with globalisation and the victories of March 8th, 2008 for the opposition, their future is under threat. This provoked Umno to propose the concept of ketuanan Melayu, and they called for malays to unite as their political and economic future was under threat.

The fears also inspired the call for unity talks between Umno and Pas leaders to find solutions for the perceived predicament of the Malays.

It is fair for Malay Malaysians to strive for a rightful place in the country, and this goes for Chinese and Indian Malaysians as well. But calling for Malay unity and unity talks will not solve the problem of securing prosperity and progress.

History if full of examples where racial supremacy or ketuanan Melayu have fallen into disrepute and rejected by the people.

The Aryan race of Hitler during the Second World War

Hitler wanted a greater Germany and propounded the doctrine of the Aryan race meaning the Germans. He considered the Jews to be outcasts and killed many of them – genocide. Hitler was proved wrong because Germany lost the war, and the Aryan race supremacy died with him.

In America, white supremacy was practised and blacks were imported to work as slaves in the plantations. But slavery was condemned by President Lincoln. He won the civil war and slavery was abolished. However, the blacks continued to be ostracised and mistreated especially by white supremists. The blacks persisted and continued their struggle to be equal with the whites. In the course of time, many blacks went into college and many have outshone themselves as research scientists, congressmen, artists, businesmen and world class athletes.

Tiger Woods is the greatest golf champion in the world. Michael Jackson died recently and memorial services were held around the world. CNN estimated that there were 1 billion mourners attended the memorial services.

But the event which marked the end of white supremacy in America was the election of Obama as the first black President of The United States of America .

Umno and all those who support the idea of ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy should learn from history. Follow the world trend towards equlity of races and freedom of expression and assembly.

The way to go is to the nation to follow a policy of Malaysians unite and work together as one people for progress and prosperity.

PM Najib Razak. This is one reform you should recommend as soon as possible. No more Malay supremacy. Just give us Malaysian unity.

* Dr. Chen Man Hin, DAP Life Advisor