
My thoughts on The Malay Dilemma written by Mahathir Mohamad
Provided the chosen language is accepted, a multiracial nation can mould a national unity by employing accessory methods such as the projection of a focus of loyalty like a king, the teaching of national history, the veneration of national symbols in the form of the flag, the anthem, the colours etc., and last but not least, respect for the constitution and laws of the country — Mahathir Mohamad, The Malay Dilemma (1970)
It has been years I wanted to read this book since I saw my father read it. I was a child back then when Mahathir Mohamad became 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, and I am 27 years old today while he reigns as 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia currently. I would say this is the most controversial book I have read so far. I am no expert in sociology, politics or any related field. Yet, I read this book as a Malay. A young Malay who believes in nationalism. A young Malay who believes there is a point of united in between Malay, Chinese, Indian, Borneo and others under one Federal Constitution of Malaysia. This is a book of Malay self-examination from Mahathir Mohamad’s perspective. The hypothesis is so irrelevant and unacceptable. Melayu malas or the lazy Malay is something can’t be tolerated in psychology perspective. As my current major in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I believe people are free to be anything by their own decision without any influential factor. They do something because they want to. Not because the British or the Chinese, the decision is made from the freedom of individual. I don’t know what’s in his thoughts. Somehow he sounds like anti-British and anti-Chinese. Generally, whether you like it or not, this is a must read book.
There are a lot of issues that I would like to elaborate. But, I think I’ll go for some important issues that affect me. What went wrong? This chapter is vague and ambiguous. The author emphasizes there is never existed racial harmony between Malays and non-Malays in the past. The glorious government has made an assumption that lead to the division of multicultural nation. He blames Tunku Abdul Rahman administration for their lacking competence of responsibility to fix this issue. Whereupon he was fired from United Malays Nation Organisation (UMNO) for criticizing through open letter to 1st Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. For your information, this book has been written during his exile. By appointing the cabinet based on their loyalty to the party regardless responsibility on people have cost more division between Sino-Malay which lead to the black memory in this land on 13th May 1969.
The second chapter is about heredity and environment on Malay race. This is where I against his thought on this issue. The rural Malay is only focusing on agriculture while Chinese expanding their business in big city. Since rural Malay can still survive with agriculture, therefore their next generation will survive, too regardless considering the importance of business and education. They choose not to stay in the big city as it will affect nothing on their live development. As Malay words say, kais pagi makan pagi kais petang makan petang. As long, they can survive and comfortably fine, it should be okay. This is how he describes Malay. In psychology perspective, Carl Rogers emphasizes human is kind and potential which will develop themselves at their best. This is so irrelevant. Everyone wants to be successful, it’s not just to stay survive. Just because their parents are farmers, it doesn’t mean the next generation cannot be more than that. Malay can be better than just a bloody farmer. In environment context, he claims that British deprive Malays for getting involved in business. British have always seen the massive potential among Chinese in business. And British doesn’t need Malays for that as they are limited in expanding business. That’s the reason why Malay need to be protected like American Indian.
Other issue is racial equality. The author has emphasized that Malays must be protected. As Chinese has dominated business and receive a lot of privileges from British, they don’t entitle for having any land in Malaya. This land is belonged to Malays forever. Why? Because he believes Malays will never compete with Chinese. Same thing in education. He doesn’t think Malays can compete with non-Malays in university that’s why the government create small places for Chinese students at local university. In addition, Chinese is considered ‘pendatang’ or foreigner even tho the community has been established in Malaya before British reigns. Just like I said, Malay can stand by their own without any protection. We can see a lot of successful Malay students in university and powerful Malay businessman today.
I would like to elaborate more but I think this should be enough. What I can conclude is, me as a Malay can stand by ourselves. We don’t need any protection. Psychologically, man has potential to develop themselves. Technically, we can compete with others in many things. Personally, I don’t appreciate the way he despises Malay. And to be frank, I don’t know what is the hidden message if there is any. For me, this book somehow encourages me to keep fighting for reaching my own target. I believe everyone can change. Melayu tak malas. Malays can change.
