Thread by @walski69

1/ Tomorrow, 31st August 2021, we commemorate the 64th year of “Merdeka”.

“Merdeka” simply means ‘independence’. In our case, the independence of the Federated and Unfederated Malay States, plus the Straits Settlements of Penang and Melaka, from the British.

[This is a thread]

2/ And this “Merdeka”, which happened in 1957, led to the formation of the Federation of Malaya. It wouldn’t be until 6 years later, with the addition of Sabah, Sarawak and (for 2 years) Singapore, that Malaysia was born, in 1963 on 16th September.

3/ This independence in 1957 also eventually led to us trying to erase anything and everything “British”, or as much of it as we could.

But there is one very important aspect of British rule that has never gone away. In fact, it has been adapted & has continues to this day.

4/ I’m quite sure you know what I’m referring to, but let’s leave it unnamed for the time being.

Instead, let’s look at how this important aspect has been nurtured and has become the status quo that many amongst us want to perpetuate, and have vowed to protect.

5/ One of the biggest laments we frequently hear is how after 64 years of independence, and 56 years as Malaysia, the majority of citizens do not think themselves as Malaysians immediately.

Some may see this as something of "a work in progress”. Some might even call it a failure

6/ But I now believe that there is another reason why true national unity has been elusive.

Quite simply, it’s by design.

And that British relic I spoke of earlier, which I see persisting to this day, is Divide and Rule.

7/ Think about it. For the better part of the last 6 decades, first with the Alliance, then BN, and now PN/BN+ (or whatever the correct acronym is), what has been the basis of the political parties at the helm?

Racial compartmentalization - the basis of division that lives on.

8/ UMNO/PAS/PPBM are ALL Malay parties - the TUAN around whom the token MCA and MIC rely on for a slice of the control pie.

And when the notion of governance on the basis of ‘race’ started to lose its luster, guess what has now become the all-important factor? Religion.

9/ And in the Malaysian context, when it comes to religion - Islam, specifically - it boils down to racial divisions once again.

National unity? Nothing but an elusive dream carrot that’s dangled in front of the masses still obsessed with racial division.

10/ For a short 22 months, when Pakatan Harapan helmed the nation, there was some sliver of hope that racial compartmentalization could eventually be dismantled.

But that hope was shattered when race-obsessed politicians colluded to sabotage the fragile PH.

11/ If you think this is some kind of bitterness on my part, ask yourself this: what is it UMNO, or PAS, or PPBM visibly and audibly, as parties, talk about and champion loudest and most?

From my viewport: Melayu/Islam being in constant threat.And therefore MUST be protected.

12/ Really?

But you know what I think? Melayu/Islam are not under threat, but that Melayu/Islam being made to believe they’re constantly under threat is the ONLY WAY these parties can stay relevant.

The REAL thing UMNO/PAS/PPBM fears: true national unity across demographics

13/ "But, but… if DAP comes into power they’ll take away our rights and privileges as Melayu/Islam, will abolish our monarchy, and will enslave us!” (usually screamed with a generous helping of ‘Cina Babi’)

Really? If this is what you believe, let me ask you this: HOW?

14/ And such is the power of FEAR.

Such a powerful force that you’ll believe all kinds of BULLSHIT coming from UMNO/PAS/PPBM et al.

I won’t get into the procedural impossibility of these instilled fears coming to fruition.

And neither will UMNO/PAS/PPBM et al.

You know why?

15/ Because if they did, then you’d realize you’ve been lied to, and that these fears they’ve instilled in you amounts to a healthy, big helping of BULLSHIT.

But don’t take my word for it - go find out WHAT it would take to amend or remove the relevant constitutional articles.

16/ In fact, do yourself a big favor - since you have the day off tomorrow, go look up a copy of the Federal Constitution online. Preferably the one with notes.

Read it. From beginning to end.

17/ You’ll find all kinds of marvelous things. Like, for starters, there is A LOT more to the FC than just articles 3, 153, and 160. Loads more.

You’ll also find this phrase used a lot:

“Nothing in this Article derogates from any other provision of this Constitution"

18/ Or, in Bahasa Malaysia:
"Tiada apa-apa jua dalam ini mengurangkan mana-mana peruntukan lain dalam
Perlembagaan ini.”

It essentially means that NO ARTICLE applies without taking the WHOLE Federal Constitution into consideration. No article exists in a vacuum, in other words.

19/ Kalau malas nak cari link/pautan yang berkenaan, nah saya berikan:

BM: legal.usm.my/v3/phocadownlo…

English: jac.gov.my/spk/images/sto…

Baca, jangan tak baca. Faham dan hadamkan.

Dan jangan lagi ditakutkan dengan auta yang bukan2.

20/ So, back to the original topic - “Merdeka”.

Are we, really?

When one section of the population is constantly told to fear his fellow citizens, are we really “Merdeka”?

Or did we trade the old pale boss, for a darker colored new boss?

21/ Adakah kita benar2 “Merdeka” apabila laungan anti-kesamarataan rakyat senegara lunak dilaung-laungkan?

Kalau begitu APA GUNANYA ide WARGANEGARA itu, apabila kewarganegaraan harus berkelas-kelas?

Lebih baik saya lebelkan minda kamu yg belum merdeka itu sebagai PRO-APARTHEID

22/ So tomorrow, 31st August 2021 we COMMEMORATE Merdeka. Or at least I will. Not ‘celebrate’ it, but commemorate it.

Because frankly, what is it we are ‘celebrating’? We’re still being ruled through division.

The new boss. Just like the old boss.

Selamat Hari Merdeka

[END]

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