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A Bold New Year Message in Malaysia

by Lazylizards | January 1, 2009 at 09:00 am

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In multi-racial Malaysia, where politicians are usually divided along racial lines, commenting on official policy is often risky.

Thus, taking advantage of a new year message to speak up on an issue such as meritocracy was unusual. But it symbolized a sign of changing times.

2008 was a watershed year for Malaysian politics. The ruling coalition lost its two thirds majority, a grip on power it held since the country got its independence from Britain more than 50 years ago.

Malaysian politicans and activists have been testing the country's strict laws on free speech ever since.

KUALA LUMPUR - A TOP ethnic Chinese leader in Malaysia's ruling coalition indirectly called on Thursday for scrapping an affirmative action programme for the majority Malays in a rare challenge to the fount of government power.
With the global economy facing an uncertain future in 2009, Malaysia must 'attract the best brains and professionals to help steer the ship away from rough, uncharted waters', Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat said in his New Year's message.

'We have no choice but to embrace meritocracy in our practices,' said Mr Ong, who is also the head of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the second-biggest party in the ruling National Front coalition after the United Malays National Organisation.

It is the first time that an MCA leader has openly called for meritocracy, which can only be achieved by abolishing the affirmative action programme that gives Malays privileges in state contracts, jobs, housing and education.