The truth about affirmative action

Categories: Malaysia

The rebuke by a local Malay on a speech by the Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad that “I understand they do not want to end up becoming like the Malays in Singapore” should wake up the government with regards to its affirmative actions.

The affirmative actions which was started after the racial riots in 1969, was started with a very good intention. Give the weaker a hand so that they can compete. Unfortunately the affirmative action was drafted with a racial slant and as a result the bumiputra and non-bumiputra division was created. Hence the affirmative action became a policy to try to uplift the bumiputras, almost always a Malay, from their poverty. I said almost always because by definition bumiputras included natives of Sarawak and Sabah like the Kadazans, Ibans, Minangkabaus and Bajaus - but are often being overlooked.

The affirmative policy had been accepted by Malaysians of all races. What is in dispute is the implementation. The spirit of the policy is good, but under the cloak of a good policy, the implementation had actually worsen the plight of the people the policy tried hard to improve. In the implementation, the bumiputras are given help but not the way help should be given. The help given to these bumiputras are more like handouts, with no effort needed on the part of the person receiving it. Hence there are alot of companies with a bumiputra partner who probably does not even know what business he is in because he was chosen only because his name was needed by a non-bumiputra company to be registered. His 'job' is just to have his name on the registration form and he gets a monthly pay. Hence after 49 years of independence, progress in the true sense did not materialised.

The writer, Mohd Jamil Abdullah, has rightly pointed out the problem with the affirmative policy. Because most bumiputra are served with handouts, humans being humans, complacency sets in. They lose the fighting spirit and the spirit to excel, unable escape the comfort zone. In the end, they are probably worse off than before the implementation of the Affirmative action. It is true that they are now richer, but such wealth is actually hollow because if the supporting structures are knocked off, such wealth will just disappeared. Previously, they had depended on themselves for their wealth, and hence their foundations were stable.

It is however not true to say that the affirmative policy had failed. Despite its poor implementation, some bright bumiputra emerged. Tun Mahathir, Tun Zaim and Datuk Seri Rafidah are good example of how the policy has helped the bumiputra - but at what cost? Pouring millions just to nurture a handful. Can the situation be improved? I think the situation can be improved if the bumiputra are given help to enable them to compete on a level playing field. From then on they have to prove their worth before they are given any further opportunity by the government under the affirmative policy. Which means that if you want to be a company director, you better prove that you are worth your salt. That way, the wealth of the bumis is built on a firmer foundations and at the same time earn the respect that is due.

I am indeed heartened that a bumiputra has come out and express his true feelings with regards to the implementation of the affirmative action. If the same words were uttered by a non-bumi, even if in the interest of the nation and not for any selfish, self-serving reasons, he would be shot down and branded a traitor. Hopefully, when the words were uttered by an 'insider', it will carry more weight and appeal to the intellect and common sense of the government. Maybe there is still hope for Malaysia.