Patriotism Despite All Odds
17 May 2003

This article was published in Malaysiakini.com (Monday, May 19, 2003) and was entitled 'Kadir's comments a stain on social fabric'.

Whenever we are faced with a crisis, we should always go back to the basics. So in the case of the statement made by the Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister, Datuk Kadir bin Haji Sheikh Fadzir, questioning the patriotism of Chinese Malaysians, we should analyse the situation at its roots.

SHOULD THE CHINESE COMMUNITY BE PATRIOTIC IN THE FIRST PLACE?

During the British colonial times, the Chinese and Indian communities were brought in to develop the tin mines and plantations in our country. After many years in this country, our forefathers decided to make it their home. Through their hard work, small townships were started and new generations of Chinese and Indians continued to develop them into the big cities we have today. Their achievement did not happen overnight. In fact, even after Independence, our forefathers kept on contributing to the progress of the nation through trade and business.

I belong to the fourth generation of Chinese, born and bred in this country, and although I do not display the National Flag of Malaysia in my house or car, or wave it fervently during politically sponsored events, I sincerely love my country in my own special way.

I WORK HARD AND I KEEP MY PEACE WITH ALL MY NEIGHBOURS.

Therefore, I find the words of the Datuk Kadir very racially motivated and disgustingly insulting. All Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, love their country in their own way. For a Minister in charge of culture, Dr. Kadir certainly does not have any idea about the richness of the various cultures in our country. He should at least understand that different communities express their thoughts in their own unique way. That is what makes Malaysia, Malaysia.

The Chinese community has been loyal to the country for years despite all the odds working against them. In the field of education, we have been sidelined by the education system, which practices an unfavourable quota system and now replaced by a dubious meritocracy system. In the field of economy, business opportunities and Government contracts have been put on a silver dish to be served those who do not deserve it.

So should the Chinese community be patriotic to Malaysia in the first place? Judging from all the odds against us, the answer would presumably be NO.

And yet, the Chinese community take everything in their stride and continue to live peacefully with everyone, working hard for their future and the future of their country. Through their unjust policies, the Government has never given any real reason for the Chinese to love Malaysia, let alone be patriotic.

But patriotic we are, in our own way. If you ask any Chinese in the street, they will gladly regard Malaysia as their home.

True patriotism comes from the heart and it should not be forced upon. Waving flags and erecting them in your homes and cars, do not make you more patriotic than those who work hard for the nation and live peacefully. In fact, outward display of symbols is seen as a sign of arrogance and narcissism.

The Chinese have migrated and settled all over the world since time immemorial, searching for better livelihood. They have always been known to live alongside the mainstream population, contributing to the country, which they are in, and living peacefully with the rest of the nation. In certain countries, they have even held high Government posts and their loyalty to the nation have never been questioned.

Malaysia is a very unique country where there are so many races and religions. We should take the opportunity, which is readily available to us, and learn about each other's culture, instead of forcing one onto another. In this case, Datuk Kadir and the rest of the government ministers should learn from this valuable lesson that patriotism is all about hard work and tolerance.

We do not have to sail around the world alone in a yacht and face treacherous mast-breaking waves to call ourselves patriots. We do not have to expose ourselves to extreme cold temperatures and hypoxia to reach the peak of Mount Everest before we can call ourselves patriots. We do not have to parachute down at the North Pole with a Malaysian flag hanging from our backs, or take a cruise down to the Antarctic to watch penguins, before we can label ourselves as patriots.

These are dangerous, expensive and time-consuming exploits, which do not bring any tangible results nor contribute effectively to the country's progress. By far these feats can only be regarded as man's one-time, irreproducible quest to achieve fame. Somehow I cannot visualize how these achievements can help to boost and sustain the nation's economy, let alone inculcate patriotism in our country. And yet, the government is obsessed with all these wasteful record-breaking attempts.

In my humble opinion, the true patriots of Malaysia are those millions of hard working people whom, despite all odds, strive to support their family and provide a good education for their children. I salute them with all my heart and I want to let them know that the Malaysian flag is truly flying in their hearts.

I used to look forward to Monday morning assemblies during my school years. That was when I got to sing the Negaraku in its soulful and majestic tempo, together with all my other schoolmates. From the first drum roll by the school band, denoting the start of the anthem, we will all sing our hearts out. Because we were still innocent and confined to the school environment, we live by every word in the lyrics.

But reality came too soon. When it was time to leave school, each of us parted our own way. Some continued to do their tertiary education and some started working. The shock of inequality and injustice in the real world was like a hot wave of heat from a bonfire. We were at last disillusioned by what we were taught by our teachers. But that did not deter us from striving to achieve our goals. We did not resort to anarchic demonstrations to protest. On the contrary, we worked hard and kept our peace throughout. No doubt, we were sad about our predicament, but we still remain loyal to the country.

Years later, someone in the Government decided to change the tempo of the Negaraku to a March tempo. From being a majestic and soulful tune, it has become contemporary and militaristic. I have never sung it since then because I find the tempo too fast and distasteful. But that does not make me less patriotic than those people who desecrated the National Anthem in the first place.

Patriotism is not merely singing songs to praise the country and displaying the national flag. It is something, which is sacred and personal to all Malaysians, regardless of race. To single out the Chinese community in his speech, Datuk Kadir has stained the social fabric of our plural society with unfounded mistrust. I strongly feel that he should stop denying what he had said and do the honourable thing by admitting his mistake.

PELITA NEGARA

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