race, religion

It is a grave reminder indeed.


The Minority race trap
TODAY Weekend • December 8, 2007
P N BALJI

Two weeks after some Indian Malaysians protested, the chilling fear of reprisals by the majority Malays is becoming a reality.

SMSes calling for Malays to defend their rights and claiming weapons had shown up outside Kuala Lumpur, a group of Muslim lawyers displaying their anger, an Umno politician talking about "drawing our parangs" ... these are all danger signs.

The bitter truth is that minorities should not, covertly or overtly, threaten the majority politically, economically and/or socially.
**In the 1969 elections, when Penang was won by the opposition Chinese-based Democratic Action Party, the Malays rioted and so was born the bumiputera policy.
**In 1987, when Indian Fijians upset the political balance by winning a majority in Parliament, the military hit back.

Charges that the Malaysian protest leader is meeting the Tamil Tigers can only make matters worse.

The events unfolding so close to home are a scary reminder that the race-religion time bomb can explode anywhere, anytime.