Chinese Malaysian vindicated!

Categories: Malaysia

Malaysian's Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was part of the delegation led by Home Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid that went to China recently to clear any misconception that Malaysia was targeting Chinese nationals, was reported as saying that Chinese Malaysians studying and working in China have been instrumental in helping ease tensions between the two countries recently. He said they had upheld Malaysia's dignity in China, particularly in the way they had responded to the furore over the alleged ill treatment of Chinese nationals in Malaysia. As this issue had had an adverse impact on the country's image, he said, Chinese Malaysians had explained the situation to the Chinese media in an attempt to rectify the negative perceptions.

"Chinese Malaysians have truly shown their patriotism in China," he told a press conference on Dec 15. He was also quoted as saying that Malaysian students and businessmen in China not only loved Malaysia but were also knowledgeable about the country's development. [The Star Online, Dec 16]

This come as both welcome and sad. Welcome because after 48 years of independence, finally Chinese Malaysian are publicly praised for being patriotic. Sad because the Chinese Malaysian patriotism had been questionned all this while.

All this while, when the dominant ruling party said about creating a Bangsa Malaysia, are the Chinese Malaysian included in the game plan? Or are they just paying lip service? What about using Datuk Michelle Yeoh, the Bond girl, to promote Malaysia's tourism? And the plan for Michael Wong, previously of Wuyingliangping fame, to promote Malaysia's tourism sector? Is the dominant political party merely using these true-bred Chinese Malaysians for the good of the dominant race or for the bigger picture, that of Malaysia?

With Malaysia's 50th independance in 2007, it is hoped that the racial outlook will be better. Quoting a letter written by Malaysian First, "Many Merdeka celebrations have come and gone, and it is very sad that after all these years, we have yet to find a true Malaysian identity." [The Star Online, Dec 11]. Hopefully, the public declaration by a Malay Minister that Chinese Malaysian are patriotic, will be a start to better things to come.