MALABAREES
by
K.Siladass
Malabari is an
archaic term which refers to the inhabitant of Malabar which is now part of the
State of Kerala. Generally, a Malabari could be a Hindu, Muslim or Christian
which has been overtaken by Keralite identity. A Malayalee Muslim feels proud
when he is referred to as a Malabari because of his unshakeable loyalty to his
mother tongue Malayalam, aside his fierce revolt against the British
colonialists.
Lately, Prime
Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak had been very critical of Tun Mahathir Mohammad,
the former Malaysian premier, with reference to his Malabari or Malayalee
ancestry. The manner it is said and the audience it is addressed does not go
well with the status of his office and the statesmanship Najib is trying to portray
himself. Reading his specific reference to Mahathir's ancestry in a general way
would give the impression that the Malabarees are untrustworthy and cannot be
accepted into one's company or he should be rejected as a person of
questionable character. These kinds of innuendos and more are obvious. Najib
could have avoided this for it negatives his claim that he is for all races and
UMNO adopts all-race inclusive policy. His deeds negative his claim of
inclusivity.
If Mahathir had
committed wrongs during his premiership and while leading UMNO it cannot be
overlooked that the majority of UMNO leaders including Najib were supporting
him in all what he did. If indeed Mahathir was wrong and abusing the power
vested in him what were these leaders doing? They, not only supported him but
claimed that he was the saviour of the Malays. Would it be too much of an
imagination to suggest that all the leaders were indeed using him to reap
rewards for being with him and supporting him to protect their own interests
and enriching themselves. A minority of the Malays benefitted when the majority
Malays suffered and were led to believe that they are better off than before.
It would seem
Mahathir was the instrument UMNO leaders used to humble the component parties
in Barisan Nasional in a general way and to oppress the people.
Another troubling
insinuation is that Mahathir is an Indian or had Indian ancestry. The manner Mahathir's Indian ancestry is
portrayed seems to suggest that there is something unacceptable being an Indian
or to have Indian ancestry. Such an insinuation reveals the immaturity of Najib
and those who ape him. Besides, such an insinuation condemns the entire Indian
community as unacceptable. Those who look at the ancestry of Mahathir should
look into their ancestral mirror to discern their ancestors. Further, the
Indian Muslim community had played an effective role in the development of this
country. In this context you cannot ignore Munshi Abdullah and Tan Sri Sulaiman
Ninam Shah, to name a few, the latter who served as the permanent chairman of
the UMNO general assembly for a long period of time. UMNO claims that it
protects Malay tradition but it had miserably failed by forgetting those who
cared for UMNO and the Malays in general.
Najib and his
supporters could continue to blame Mahathir but the truth is they themselves
cannot be absolved. It would not be too much of a fantasy if these accusers are
equally guilty for all the wrongs that had happened under Mahathir and they too
are answerable because they were riding high on the popularity of Mahathir.
Would it be wrong
to conclude that UMNO in its grand design only aimed at protecting a few at the
expense of the majority.
The way insults
are hurled against Mahathir and the accusation that are levelled against him
demonstrate the kind of politics and political manoeuvre the country and the
people had to endure under UMNO rule since Merdeka. The truth is now emerging,
the true colours of UMNO leaders had surfaced and the people will have to ask:
Is the country safe under UMNO?
Date: 15/12/2017
