Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s first televised national address after he became prime minister was not very exciting for some, but I choose to look at it differently. Despite the hopelessness felt among some, I am extremely optimistic that a leader will emerge one day to break through racial and religious barriers that are a bane to our society.
So Ismail’s Malaysian Family brand appealed quite a bit to me.
He was pretty clear when he cited the example of a family with relatives of different races and religions but sharing common values: this, to me, is the closest to forging a dream of “Bangsa Malaysia”.
Ismail said: “I am looking to the Malaysian Family concept because the strength of this nation is linked to the values of a family.”
When he announced his Cabinet team on Friday, he emphasised that it was also aimed at bringing the Malaysian Family concept to realilty. According to Umno, he also agreed that the Malaysian Family branding will be used by his government.
Let’s hope this does not end up as mere lip service. The concept is deep if approached with equally deep honesty and sincerity. Of course there are some naysayers but this is to be expected because the slogans used by past prime ministers did not amount to anything.
I am excited and will hold Ismail to his words because no politician should get away with rhetoric in this day and age.
We need to see some serious action and if possible legislation to make people convinced that this will be the nation’s new direction. For this to blossom, Malaysia needs to address the inequalities and racial dichotomies which are crisp and clear.
For a start, can we hope for all citizens under the Malaysian tent to be treated fairly even if it cannot be absolutely equal? Most heads of families treat their children equally although extra help is given to the weaker ones. This is the meaning of family, and no one should use this word for political reasons.
On the same note, can we begin to stop referring to the non-Bumiputeras as “others”? Breaking this barrier will be a great start to a Malaysian Family — because the “nons” too have contributed to nation-building in terms of sweat and toil, including serving the security services.
At the same time, the private sector, which is wrapped in its own racial cocoon, should move away from the Chinese dominance shown in some job advertisements that blatantly specify race.
One can understand if Mandarin is needed in certain instances but we know it is not always the case in many firms. This is known to be a hidden display of racism that must also change if we want the Malaysian Family to succeed.
On the government’s part, there is a dire need to make the government-linked companies (GLCs), which are run by public funds, more Malaysian in all sectors. It is no secret that they do not look Malaysian at all, just like many private sector organisations.
Similarly, can there be a more representative civil service to reflect the Malaysian Family concept? Right now, 90% of them comprise Bumiputeras with probably 99% of the top leadership held by the community. With these undisputable figures, you cannot call it a Malaysian Family can you?
Building a Malaysian Family needs more than speeches. We have been sucked into a racial whirlpool with ugly politicking over the last 50 years and we are obviously struggling to come out of it.
I believe Ismail’s plea for a Malaysian Family will be the only way to get back what we have lost in terms of national unity and harmony over the decades.
As much as I am doubtful that the government alone can achieve Ismail’s dream, we can only pray fervently that he meant every word he said while every one of us realises that we need to make sacrifices to coexist and flourish.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.